“It’s like a big chemistry experiment, it’s a continuous process, 24/7 monitoring to ensure everything is under control.”
This is how Sam Duncan, Environmental and Analytical Superintendent, describes his role at Bell Bay Aluminium.
“The lab does a lot of water sampling, air sampling and analysis for process control,” Sam says.
“In the last 20 years Bell Bay has worked really hard to reduce remissions. 10 to 15 years ago, two fume scrubbers were put in to help lower hydrogen fluoride levels significantly.”
“I have a vested interest living in Tasmania. It’s all about shrinking our footprint and continuous improvement.”
Sam started working as a lab analyst for Bell Bay Aluminium 10 years ago. He has enjoyed the change and variety of a different role every few years. He’s worked in his current position as Environment and Analytical Superintendent for three years.
After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in 1997, majoring in geology and chemistry, with honours in geology at the University of Tasmania, Sam worked as a mine geologist in Western Australia for four years.
In his role at Bell Bay, Sam is involved in projects and initiatives such as the George Town Air Monitoring Station and the annual Tamar Estuary Report Card with Natural Resource Management North.
In 2011, Sam accepted the Best Environmental Practice Award at the CGU Launceston Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. Bell Bay Aluminium’s awards entry centered on its continuing efforts in recycling Spent Cell Liner (SCL) through Cement Australia’s cement kiln in Railton. This project has broken new ground in recycling for the smelter and Sam, working in collaboration with employees, Alex Grodski and Marty Daly helped bring the project to fruition.
“Winning that award provided us with the opportunity to showcase our business and our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and impact. In particular we hope that the SCL project will inspire others to purse environmentally sustainable projects in their own workplaces.”
