Ian Plimer warned Ian Macdonald of mine madness ACADEMIC and prominent climate change sceptic Ian Plimer warned former NSW mining minister Ian Macdonald and a union leader that he idea of a controversial training mine was "absolute madness" and would endanger the lives of students. Professor Plimer, who had a long association with University of Newcastle, gave evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Sydney yesterday, outlining his objections to the Doyles Creek mine in the NSW Hunter Valley that was approved by Mr Macdonald and partly owned by a close associate, John Maitland.