G4S International Logistics (G4Si) are transporting two of the largest gold nuggets in existence, weighing 95kg and 63kg, to secure displays across three continents.
Unearthed at Royal Nickel Corporations’ (RNC) Beta Hunt mine in Kambalda Western Australia, the discovery of six gold-bearing quartz rocks contain millions of dollars’ worth of the precious metal.
The G4Si team were engaged to provide an end-to-end solution including transportation and exhibition management for a multi-country tour to include the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
Following their unveiling to the gold industry at the 2018 Precious Metals Investment Symposium in Perth, the specimens were then put on display at The Perth Mint for several weeks, giving members of the public the rare opportunity to see such extraordinary nuggets up close.
G4Si, who were a major sponsor and exhibitor at the Symposium, securely transported the extremely valuable specimens to the venue and guarded them throughout the three-day event including the media unveiling and gala dinner where meticulous handling of the fragile specimens was required.
From the vault in Perth, G4Si securely transported the specimens with commercial airline partners, utilising their network of air side officers whilst in transit.
“We are delighted to have been chosen as the secure logistics partner of RNC for the multi-country events,” said G4Si General Manager South Asia Pacific Nathan Eastwood.
G4Si Operations Manager South Asia Pacific Jason Mirams, heads up the project, managing all aspects of the tour including international freight, secure transportation, exhibit installation, event guarding and secure vaulting. Part of his role includes accompanying the stones throughout the tour.
“The collaboration between G4Si businesses has been an excellent example of teamwork and showcases the huge variety of expertise we have on a global scale, which enables us to offer customers an industry-leading end-to-end solution,” said Mr Mirams.
The tour left Perth for the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Melbourne Victoria, before leaving Australia for the United Kingdom. Once at Heathrow Airport, the stones were transported in a high-security vehicle to the four-day Mines and Money exhibition at the Business Design Centre in central London. Once there, the specimens were installed by expert handlers from the UK Fine Arts team, part of G4Si, and guarded round-the-clock by two security officers from the G4S Secure Solutions Events team.
Immediately following London, the specimens headed to North America with TV and radio featurettes in Toronto, followed by an exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum. After secure vaulting in Toronto over the Christmas and new year period, the tour once again is building momentum with planning well underway for displays in the United States, set to begin in mid-February 2019.
This will once again see the stones securely transported to key gold events across the United States before they are returned to Australia in March.
“Now in the middle of the multi-country tour, the project continues to require meticulous round-the-clock planning and management to bring together all aspects of the secure logistics,” said Mr Eastwood.