NSW training mine proposal just PR: ICAC A PLAN for a training mine in the NSW Hunter region was regarded as a public relations vehicle by an entrepreneur who made millions out of the controversial proposal, a corruption inquiry has heard. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is looking at a coal exploration licence at Doyles Creek granted by then mining minister Ian Macdonald to former union boss John Maitland and his associates in December 2008 without a competitive tender. The ICAC heard on Friday from a former associate of Mr Maitland, entrepreneur Craig Ransley, a key stakeholder in the company that was granted the exploration licence by Mr Macdonald. The inquiry has previously heard Mr Maitland proposed a training mine at the site that would address skills shortages and be propped up by a commercial mine. Referring to a May 2008 email authored by Mr Ransley, counsel assisting the commissioner, Peter Braham, SC, suggested that the witness regarded the idea of a training mine as a "PR (public relations) train." "You used the words 'PR train's momentum' to describe a training mine didn't you," Mr Braham put to Mr Ransley. "Disagree," Mr Ransley replied. "What I want to put to you Mr Ransley is that you used the word 'spin' to describe the training mine," Mr Braham then said. "No," Mr Ransley replied. The denial was an example of Mr Ransley's "unwillingness to accept any piece of evidence in the inquiry that you consider to be unfavourable," Mr Braham said. Mr Braham also suggested that Mr Ransley had let the truth "slip out" about the training mine proposal by saying there was no need for such a submission on a mining venture in Queensland. Mr Ransley conceded there was no need for a training mine submission in Queensland because there were rules in that state about tendering process and ministerial consent. "Be very careful, Mr Ransley, because when you're not paying attention out comes the truth," Mr Braham said. Mr Ransley invested $318,367 in Doyles Creek for a profit of just under $15 million, ICAC has previously heard. Mr Maitland allegedly turned a $165,000 investment in the area into about $15 million when it was sold. Earlier, the lawyer for Mr Maitland was chided for "force feeding" the former union boss in questioning. Commissioner David Ipp likened lawyer Matthew Darke's questioning to "some kind of foie gras." The inquiry continues on Monday.