Mine stalwart retires

Long-serving Talison Lithium Greenbushes Operations mine manager Pat Scallan is retiring on April 24, bringing to an end more than 24 years at the mine.

Mr Scallan said the increased tantalum demand and the mine’s expansion had been a career highlight for him, as well as the recent lithium boom.

He also paid tribute to the staff he had worked with over his years at the mine.

“The most rewarding things I’ve enjoyed over the years is the camaraderie and the people that work here at Greenbushes, and the support that they’ve given us during the hard times, because we’ve had some hard times and tough times,” he said.

He moved to Greenbushes in 1995 to work as the mine’s tantalum manager and became a general manager in 1997.

He is retiring from the position of general manager of Greenbushes projects.

Talison Lithium’s general manager of Greenbushes operations Craig Dawson said Mr Scallan’s retirement marked the end of an era.

“Pat has been the glue that has held the operation together for almost 25 years and it is almost impossible to fully understand the contribution he has made to the mine, Greenbushes community and the entire South West community over such a long period of time,” he said.

Mr Scallan has been an active member of both the Bridgetown and Greenbushes communities, receiving an Order of Australia Medal in 2015, as well as serving on the shire council for 18 years.

Mr Scallan said in retirement he was planning to spend time with his nine grandchildren and travel with his wife.