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In underground mining, “more data” isn’t the goal. Better decisions are. In this episode, Brett is joined by Safecrete Technology’s Cameron Baker (Founding CEO) and John Arundell (CTO) to unpack how they’re building a next-generation IoT and data analytics platform for mining — starting with high-value, niche use cases like shotcrete curing and paste backfill, then scaling into software-led decision tools. Meet the GuestsCameron shares how his path from the military to global safety tech shaped the way he leads early-stage ventures, and why listening (properly listening) is the skill he wishes he’d mastered sooner. John explains his transition from aerospace into mining, what he learned working alongside Palantir on industrial IoT, and why mining’s relationship-driven culture has been a surprisingly good fit. What Safecrete Is Building (and Why It Matters)Safecrete’s approach is refreshingly practical: use hardware to get into the operation, then let the software and analytics deliver the real leverage — real-time visibility for geotechs, geologists, and operations teams who need to make calls faster, safer, and with less guesswork. The conversation covers how better visibility can support safe early re-entry after shotcrete application, and how improved data around paste backfill can help operations make higher-confidence decisions. The Startup Reality: Trust, Partnerships, and Staying on MissionBuilding a startup in a complex, trust-based industry comes with its own challenges. The episode dives into the realities of getting traction (hint: “build it and they will come” isn’t a strategy), the importance of partnerships, and the discipline required to stay on-mission without chasing every shiny opportunity. Lessons from the Hard SeasonsCameron reflects on navigating the Global Financial Crisis in Chicago when cashflow pressure hit hard, and how problem-solving with the right board support helped keep the business standing. John shares one of the toughest leadership lessons from the corporate world — managing redundancies — and why hard seasons are often where leadership skills are actually forged. Memorable MomentsThe episode wraps with a few memorable stories, including baboons destroying a rental car in Cape Town, and a trip to Mongolia to visit Oyu Tolgoi (plus a brave attempt at fermented horse milk). Final WordIf you’re building in mining, resources, or industrial tech — or you’re simply curious about what it takes to modernise a legacy industry — this one’s a grounded look at innovation that’s driven by people, trust, and execution. 00:00 Introduction 02:42 Getting Into Mining 05:57 Journey to Safecrete 10:12 What Safecrete Does 14:14 Startup Challenges 18:53 Advice for Starting Out 24:15 Difficult Moments & Lessons 27:48 The First 10 Months 31:01 Memorable Stories Guest Links:Safecrete Technology website: https://www.safecretetech.com/ John Arundell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-arundell/  Cameron Baker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-baker-851b981aa/  For those looking to explore the intricacies of business succession planning, Brett and his team are available for further consultation.  Find the full episode with Safecrete Technology's Cameron Baker and John Arundell here: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/resourceful-podcasts/ Resources Unearthed Website: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/

In today's competitive business environment, planning for business succession involves more than just transitioning ownership; it requires a detailed focus on what happens post-sale. Whether you're an ongoing owner, a seller, or a new entrant, the aftermath of a business sale presents unique challenges and opportunities. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and sustained success. For successful business succession, a balance between documentation and flexibility is critical. While documenting big-ticket issues is necessary, leaving room for flexibility ensures smoother operations. Aligning culturally and maintaining open, adaptable communication lays the groundwork for achieving shared business goals. The path of business succession is laden with complexities, but with careful planning and strategic alignment in legal, financial, and operational areas, businesses can successfully navigate the post-sale landscape. CHAPTER MARKERS 00:35 Challenges for Continuing Owners 02:00 Legal Perspectives on Post-Succession 03:06 Financial Considerations for New Shareholders 04:13 Managing Key Personnel and Business Performance 07:07 Importance of Shareholders Agreements 08:16 Buy-Sell Agreements and Insurance 12:46 Post-Transaction Reviews and Tax Implications 16:20 Final Thoughts and Conclusion Brett & James: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/ Craig Barry: Specialist Tax and Business Advisor Craig Hong: https://hillhouse.com.au/

Business succession planning is an essential strategic move for business owners looking to transition out of ownership and into retirement or a new venture. Selling a business can often seem like a daunting process filled with complexities, but with proper planning and expert advice, it can be navigated smoothly. Understanding the legal and tax considerations at the time of sale is a crucial component of this journey, ensuring that both buyers and sellers walk away with a fair deal. Let's explore some of the key issues and considerations that come into play during the sale of a business, paying close attention to the importance of a comprehensive approach to succession planning. 00:00 Introduction to Business Succession 00:40 Key Issues in Selling and Purchasing 01:46 Financing the Purchase 03:13 Legal Considerations and Whitewashing 06:47 Tax Implications 10:07 Administrative and Legal Transition 13:02 Due Diligence and Risk Management 19:23 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 21:45 Conclusion and Next Steps Brett & James: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/ Craig Barry: Specialist Tax and Business Advisor Craig Hong: https://hillhouse.com.au/

In this episode of Resourceful, host Brett Cribb, Managing Director and Founder of Resources Unearthed, explores the complexities of business succession with three seasoned advisors: Craig Barry from William Buck Queensland, Craig Hong from Hill House Legal Partners, and James Marshall from Stratus Financial Group. Throughout this discussion, they explore various aspects of business succession, including tax minimisation, structuring for the future, employee share schemes, and the delicate balance of family transitions. This first part of a special series offers invaluable advice for business owners looking to secure a smooth and prosperous transition. 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Meet the Expert Advisors 01:00 Common Business Succession Questions 01:29 Understanding Business Succession Stages 02:25 Financial Planning in Business Succession 03:27 Small Business CGT Concessions 06:13 Ownership Structures and Succession Planning 11:26 Preparing for a Business Sale 18:19 Internal Succession and Family Businesses 21:02 Practical Issues in Succession Planning 21:18 Internal vs External Talent Pool 21:38 Cultural Fit and Internal Expectations 22:25 Financial Considerations for Internal and External Candidates 22:54 Due Diligence and Risk Management 23:45 Family Dynamics in Business Succession 26:13 Tax Considerations in Succession Planning 30:20 Valuation and Business Worth 32:56 Adapting to Business Growth 35:18 Conclusion Brett & James: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/ Craig Barry: Specialist Tax and Business Advisor Craig Hong: https://hillhouse.com.au/

As the world increasingly becomes interconnected, the opportunities for executives to live and work internationally have expanded significantly. However, alongside these opportunities come various tax and legal intricacies that must be addressed carefully.  Brett Cribb, Managing Director and Founder of Resources Unearthed, recently sat down with with experts Craig Barry from William Buck Queensland, James Marshall from Stratus Financial Group, and Rob Lamb from Hill House Legal Partners to talk through these intricacies in detail. Together, they explore the multifaceted considerations executives must manage when relocating overseas for work. 00:00 Introduction to Resourceful Stories 00:23 Meet the Experts 01:06 Key Considerations Before Moving Overseas 01:26 Tax Residency and Financial Planning 05:08 Managing Trusts and Super Funds 07:18 Double Taxation and Tax Treaties 09:20 Estate Planning and Legal Considerations 12:42 Living and Working Overseas 39:43 Returning to Australia: Opportunities and Challenges  41:47 Conclusion and Contact Information Brett & James: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/ Craig Barry: Specialist Tax and Business Advisor Craig Hong: https://hillhouse.com.au/ Robert Lamb: https://hillhouse.com.au/

n this episode, Brett Cribb, Managing Director and Founder of Resources Unearthed hosts Craig Barry from William Buck and Rob Lamb from Hill House Legal Partners. They discuss the intricacies of family offices, looking at what they are, their types, and their benefits. The conversation also covers how virtual family offices can assist families with substantial wealth, addressing intergenerational transfers, and the importance of managing family dynamics. The episode concludes with insights into creating a family charter, estate planning, and common legal considerations in family succession. 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Understanding Family Offices 00:29 Meet the Experts: Craig Barry and Rob Lamb 01:29 Types of Family Offices 03:39 Virtual Family Office Services 05:44 Family Dynamics and Intergenerational Transfers 07:44 Legal Considerations and Family Charters 12:34 Common Issues and Solutions 17:01 Conclusion and Contact Information Brett & James: https://www.resourcesunearthed.com.au/ Craig Barry: Specialist Tax and Business Advisor Craig Hong: https://hillhouse.com.au/

My guest today is Leigh Neindorf, who has spent almost four decades working in the mining and resources industry in various positions across Mount Isa. Throughout his extensive career, Leigh has witnessed a significant evolution in mining methods at Mount Isa and today he shares his stories and experiences on site from the last 40 years.  For the last 17 years, Leigh Neindorf has held the position of Mine Projects Manager at Xstrata Zinc, managing feasibility studies for both underground and surface mines. In this episode, Leigh reflects on his beginnings in the industry and how he progressed through various roles over the course of his career. As a new graduate, Leigh gained first hand experience working on underground mining contracts and was then offered positions in research engineering, copper mine production, construction, supervision and forming work, drilling and blasting and mine planning. Leigh talks about the practical and technical experiences that gave him the skills and exposure to many different types of people. He shares how there was always a new challenge and something to learn in each role, and how this gave him a firm basis for his managerial career.  We discuss how a manager must always ensure that good procedures are established and ensure that people understand them, utilise them and know the potential risks if they’re not followed. Leigh shares the tragic story of two underground fatalities, both of which could have been avoided if procedures were followed.  Leigh also reflects on the changes he has witnessed in the Mt Isa community and what he perceives to be the most significant contributions to the success of the area. You’ll also hear Leigh’s biggest learnings and challenges over his impressive career and his technical and financial advice to people getting started in the industry. LINKS: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighneindorf/?originalSubdomain=au

This episode is a recast from the Queensland Business Hub discussing tax planning strategies for business owners in the mining and resources industry and what to consider for your business before 30 June.  Most successful businesses in mining and resources begin their tax planning in July at the very beginning of the financial year. But with a number of months left until the end of the financial year, you still have time to implement tax-effective actions that can significantly improve your tax outcomes. In this episode, Craig Barry and Scott Lindeblad explain the different aspects involved in tax planning and why early identification of issues can help to avoid you paying unnecessary tax, ease cashflow and make the most of deductions and concessions available to you. Scott outlines 10 areas your advisor should be discussing with you in order to take advantage of the tax-effective outcomes available. He discusses income and expenditure strategies, writing off bad debt, depreciation and temporary full expensing. He goes into detail about reviewing staff entitlements and superannuation, declaring dividends, trust resolutions, end of year tax administration and extracting wealth from your trading entities.  Toward the end of the episode, Craig discusses tax distribution minutes and the ATO’s new approach to s100A and family trust distributions to children. He also discusses implications for Div 7A, distributing profits from a trust structure or money taken out during the year by shareholders and associates. LINKS: Queensland Business Hub - Digging With Accountants Podcast

This episode is a recast from the Queensland Business Hub discussing tax issues that mining consultants should consider.  A common career pathway that many mining professionals contemplate is setting up a consultancy.  This could be for a variety of different reasons but it is important to understand some of the key tax issues that may apply in this scenario.  In this episode, Craig Barry and Scott Lindeblad discuss two important tax issues - setting up a structure to trade through and the different tax issues and opportunities that might apply.  One of the first considerations for anyone looking to start a new consultancy is whether to set up a trust or company, or whether to trade as a sole trader. Craig and Scott discuss a number of items to evaluate when making a decision about structure, including cost, purpose and commercial reasons. They discuss different structure types and the importance of working with an experienced accountant, lawyer or business advisor throughout the process.  A lot of the decision making around structuring centres around the current circumstances, but also understanding future plans and expectations. There are a variety of issues to consider, including splitting income, paying yourself a salary and superannuation, company cars, and personal expenses to name a few.  Craig and Scott go through a case study about a husband and wife in the 50’s who both work in the mining industry. They discuss details regarding their financial position and current circumstances and the advice they received on the best way to structure their consultancy.  LINKS: Queensland Business Hub - Digging With Accountants Podcast

This episode is a recast from the Queensland Business Hub discussing the topic of succession and how to get it right for your business. This episode is hosted by Craig Barry and Scott Lindeblad with special guest Peter Andreassen, and they discuss what succession means to them, because this tends to mean different things to different people. It can range from passing the business on to the next generation, selling the business for the maximum possible price or perhaps even getting the business ready to list on a stock exchange. Succession is a journey, not an event – it doesn’t start on the day the business is listed for sale and it doesn’t end on the day the business sale occurs. It covers a period far longer than that. This episode discusses three important aspects of the succession process; structuring for succession, maximising value and preparing for the future.  The mantra to go by is don’t leave succession until the last minute. Business owners should regularly review their structure and ensure that not only the structure is fit for purpose, but also succession ready. Craig, Scott and Peter discuss the “4D’s” (divorce, disease, dispute and death) that contribute to half of all businesses being put to market, prior to the optimal time to sell.  The part of succession that most business owners concentrate on is the “maximising profit” side. This can look like paying family members less, putting off non-critical expenses as maintenance or revaluing assets in the financial statements. However this episode explores why maximising value is arguably the least important part of the three succession limbs.  Preparing for the future of course includes getting financials in order and making sure the structure makes sense but the other important aspect to consider is the soft skills of the people taking over the business. This is where involving a business advisor, such as an accountant or lawyer, with specific experience in dealing with family business becomes critical.  LINKS: Queensland Business Hub - Digging With Accountants Podcast

This episode is a recast from the Queensland Business Hub talking about audit, accounting and tax compliances for the Mining and Resources industry. In this episode, Craig Barry and Scott Lindeblad discuss a complex real life client case study which is a cautionary tale of what can happen when adverse events collide with a taxpayer who has been poorly advised.  They explore the profound impact that ill advice and poor estate planning can have for generations to come and unpack what mining and resources professionals can learn from these unfortunate circumstances.  Craig and Scott discuss “Charlie” who worked in the mining industry and was generously rewarded for his many years of hard work and dedication.  With his newfound wealth, Charlie began making plans for the future, enlisting the help of a local accountant to make a multi million dollar contribution to his self managed super fund. Unfortunately, this accountant had little experience dealing with a SMSF and was unfamiliar with the complex laws relating to superannuation contribution caps and taxation. Nor was this accountant familiar with employee share schemes or managing large amounts of money and was ill-prepared to issue a warning about the significant tax and regulatory breaches that would occur.  Rather than leaving a handsome inheritance for his children, Charlie had created a devastating financial legacy that would take years to sort out and cost his estate hundreds of thousands of dollars to resolve.  While this case study focuses on significant superannuation and tax issues, it is a cautionary tale about what can happen when qualified and collaborative advice is not obtained in a timely manner.   LINKS: Queensland Business Hub - Digging With Accountants Podcast

It’s always interesting to hear how careers evolve over time and my guest today has certainly traveled a less conventional path than others in the resources industry.  My guest is Ted Quayle, who has been working in the investment management and commercial project advice side of the industry for over 20 years. He is an expert in designing investment products, risk management, and portfolio construction, a highly regarded financial modeler, and the Co-Founder of EC Partners. Ted was also the Co-Founder of Emission Capital Management Pty Ltd, a specialist Funds Manager in the stationary energy sector.  In this episode, Ted shares some insight into the commercial and investment world surrounding the resources industry, particularly in the energy sector.  We talk about Ted’s career journey starting out with a Metallurgical Engineering degree from the University of Queensland and how an interest in commodity markets placed him in various roles within the financial sector.  Ted shares a number of experiences that led to the point of establishing his own startup, the lessons learned and his advice for others looking to start their own business, in particular the importance of establishing a detailed business plan that allows for flexibility. He says that you must find the balance of simplicity and complexity in order to handle what might come in the future while still keeping everyone’s interests aligned. We talk about the work Ted does at EC partners, the connection to the mining and resources industry, and discuss how the political and legislative landscape is impacting the energy sector, leading to unintended consequences. LINKS: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-quayle-27532810/

It’s my pleasure to be speaking with Juli Forrest today who works as a Growth Facilitator in the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs Program with delivery partner, Deloitte Consulting.   Juli has a variety of experiences both in and outside the mining and resources industry. Starting out in the hospitality industry and moving into coal seam gas, engineering and construction, Juli has a strong core of business development, leadership and strategy.  In this episode, Juli shares her career journey so far, how she got to where she is today and the specialised skill set that led to her current position with Deloitte.  We discuss Juli’s exciting role within the Entrepreneurs Program and the unique service that gives small businesses access to expert advice and financial support through government grants.  Juli shares her tips for negotiating and closing deals and the importance of not just listening but hearing what people have to say. We talk about building a culture of trust in the workplace and what it means to be project ready. Juli says that it’s about having the capacity, capability and willingness to be nimble.  As we discuss the industry today, Juli reveals her passion to see a fundamental shift in the way we embrace technology, particularly Blockchain. Juli shares her advice to those in the early stages of growing their business and why she encourages people to embrace who they are as individuals and not change for anyone.  Juli also talks about setting herself up for financial freedom and her gratitude for a friend who encouraged her to make wise financial decisions in her younger years. LINKS: Juli Forrest Linkedin Stratus Financial Group

I’m joined by two guests today who are exemplary business owners within the mining and resources industry. In this episode we dive into their learnings and experience gained from decades of working together. Peter Cribb and Josh Hunt have worked together for over 25 years, owning and operating their successful Brisbane based business, Resource Strategies, for the last 12 years. Resource Strategies provides services to the mining and resources industry, particularly specialising in environmental consulting and management. They work with large mining corporations and government agencies and have established an excellent reputation in the coal mining industry throughout Australia. In this episode, Peter and Josh talk about their biggest learnings as business owners and talk about the importance of taking care of relationships, both with employees and clients. Having a business with a relatively small client base, they share how integrity is critical in building genuine professional relationships and also discuss their approach to working with large mining companies and government agencies and how they have successfully navigated the changes to shareholders within Resource Strategies.   Peter and Josh reflect on their early days entering into leadership roles and share the advice they would give to their former selves. They also share their tips for aspiring professionals entering into the business space, reiterating that you can never underestimate the benefits of hard work.   LINKS: Website: https://resourcestrategies.com.au/

Throughout this podcast we have spoken to men and women in the industry to explore some of their most memorable experiences on site. In this episode, we pass the mic to our very own Financial Adviser, James Marshall, as he shares a cautionary tale about a third party mishap involving an executive share scheme. Hosted by our New Business Manager, Maddie, this episode dives into the year long investigation required in order to resolve the complications with our client’s ESS and how James eventually recovered the tens of thousands of dollars that went missing. James and Maddie discuss the complexities involved when working with executives who reside overseas and James goes into detail about the work required in order to establish a full understanding of a client’s financial position.   We discuss tax implications, how a lot of tax laws don’t follow common sense and why seeking advice from a specialist is crucial for recipients of executive shares schemes.   LINKS: Specialist Tax Advice case study