When Quenton Johnston first started work at the Macraes gold mine almost 30 years ago, he thought it would be a great opportunity to explore New Zealand’s rugged mountains and have an adventurous lifestyle.
Little did he know he would one day be standing in the middle of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), surrounded by suits, representing OceanaGold on its entry into the world’s oldest and most influential exchange.
Today, the Macraes processing plant manager and Warrington local will be one of the company’s four site-based employees from around the world selected to represent OceanaGold at the official opening bell-ringing ceremony at the exchange.
At the same time, OceanaGold employees from the Macraes site and the Dunedin office and local dignitaries will gather at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum for their own ‘‘bell-ringing’’ ceremony to celebrate the NYSE listing.
The event happens today between 6pm and 8.30pm (New Zealand time), and Mr Johnston and international colleagues will appear on a large screen from New York.
The NYSE listing marks a milestone in OceanaGold’s 36-year history, and reflects its evolution from a local Otago gold producer to a globally recognised mining company, with operations across New Zealand, the United States and the Philippines.
As part of the milestone, OceanaGold chief executive officer Gerard Bond personally invited Mr Johnston to accompany him to New York in recognition of his 28 years’ service, his technical leadership, deep operational knowledge and long-standing commitment to the company’s long-term success.
Mr Johnston said he came to Macraes from Western Australia in 1998.
‘‘I came here thinking I’d spend all my free time climbing mountains.
‘‘I quickly realised that was too scary and I should stick to safer sports, but living and working in the part of the world for nearly 30 years has allowed me to have the life of adventure I had always dreamed of.’’
He said it was ‘‘incredibly special’’ to see the company reach this point.
‘‘When I first started as a metallurgist at Macraes, we were faced with some very real challenges.
‘‘There were moments when we had to make big technical decisions to ensure we could continue operating.
‘‘Seeing the company now listing on the New York Stock Exchange really shows how far we’ve come.
‘‘I think when we ring that bell, we can really expect to see a real shift change in the perception of what OceanaGold was, and now is.’’
Mr Bond said the milestone was as much about its people as it was about capital markets.
‘‘This achievement belongs to our workforce, past and present.
‘‘From Otago beginnings to a global stage, our people have been central to everything we’ve achieved.’’
