PIONEER MILL INCIDENT UPDATE
Wilmar yesterday issued a grower update in relation to recent fire at Pioneer Mill. Collectives also met with senior mill/CST staff yesterday afternoon for an update. Based on initial assessment of damage caused, Wilmar are expecting crushing operations at Pioneer Mill will resume on Monday 21st October.
Current focus is on transferring burnt cane, both standing in field and already in bins to Kalamia and Invicta mills for processing. This is not expected to be completed until Saturday this weekend at the earliest. Reloading of cane continues to be a challenge and is being carried out at Browns Road no. 2 or 7 (alternating between sidings) as well as Airdale no. 6. Following this Pioneer area cane will be transferred to Wilmar’s other 3 factories over the coming fortnight and will continue until Pioneer mill resumes crushing.
Wilmar is in the process of adding “N” rakes (paid not crushed) for growers with harvested cane last week in bins at the time of mill failure in their end of week run process to ensure growers receive a payment as normal. Bins weights for this cane have been based on actual average bin weight for other cane from the same paddock that had been processed earlier in the week. CCS will be allocated in accordance with CAP missed sample, >24 hour cut to crush provisions. Receipt of payment on this basis does not confirm acceptance by growers. These allocations will be reviewed against the actual cane results when crushed with season-to-date amendment undertaken where results are better than what grower has been paid on. Any adjustments to be made will be in consultation with effected grower.
Have also confirmed that no fibre samples will be undertaken on reloaded cane in order to ensure other growers are not disadvantaged.
With cane transfers being undertaken until Pioneer mill resumes crushing season end date for these 3 mills is expected to be extended by 2-3 days however Pioneer position is unclear at this stage.
Any queries in relation to harvesting matters should be directed to the Pioneer Cane Supply and Transport Team as a first point of contact:
• Jason Jeffrey, Senior Logistics Officer, 0428 753 487
• Shane Feeney, Logistics Officer, 0457 563 110
• Simon Kroehn, Logistics Officer, 0429 108 092
