Central Queensland coal mine goes pink for a cause

It has a V16 engine, weighs 112 tonnes and can carry 180 tonnes of coal - and it's Rose Pink.

Rio Tinto's Blair Athol Mine near Clermont in Central Queensland, has painted a haul truck pink to raise awareness of breast cancer and celebrate the fundraising efforts of a group of local women.

It is the first time Rio Tinto's coal operations have made such a vibrant show of support for breast cancer awareness. The huge truck, which would normally be white, was refurbished and painted by DPSA Engineering, which has also supported the fundraising.

The move is in support of six women from Clermont, including three who work at Blair Athol Mine, who will join eight other "Kokoda Chicks" from around Australia on a gruelling 10 day trek along the Kokoda Trail later this month.

The women have been raising money, and awareness, of the more than 12000 Australian women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, a disease which kills 2500 Australian women annually.

Each of the members of the Kokoda Chicks has committed to raising $5000, with the money supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation's research efforts.

Blair Athol Mine general manager operations Andrew Cole said one of the women's workmates first suggested repainting the Caterpillar 789B haul truck, as a tribute to the womens' fundraising achievements.

"Everyone at our mine has been impressed with the effort and determination of the Kokoda chicks and they wanted to be loud and proud about their support," Mr Cole said.

"There would be few people in our local community who have not been touched by breast cancer, or who do not know a family who have been affected.

"We wanted to support the fundraising efforts of the Kokoda Chicks in a practical way, and, by repainting this truck, make a visual statement about how important their efforts are."

In a further display of support, DPSA Engineering Business Development Manager Bill Johnson, said the company will donate $2000 to bolster the fundraising effort.

"It's a big job overhauling and painting a truck like this - we used 80 litres of undercoat paint and 60 litres of 'Rose Pink', but it's nothing like the effort these women will be putting in. It will be an honour to support their endeavour," Mr Johnson said.

Today's unveiling of the freshly painted truck was a complete surprise to the Kokoda Chicks.

Blair Athol Mine Maintenance technical officer Candice McDonald, said "each of us from Clermont has been directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer."

If you would like to sponsor the Clermont Kokoda Chicks, you can support them at their website www.everydayhero.com.au/ClermontKokodaChicks.

Media Release - Central Queensland coal mine goes pink for a cause [PDF: 19 KB]