Pilbara Ports Authority delivers 62.1 million tonnes of throughput for the month of March 2023.
Browne & McMahon JV markets IPCC
Browne & McMahon joint venture is marketing a world-class in-pit crushing and conveying system (IPCC).
Glencore raises the stakes in Teck takeover
Glencore has added $US8.2 billion in cash to its initial $US23 billion takeover offer for Canadian miner Teck Resources.
Teck turns down multi-billion-dollar merger with Glencore
Creating transparent ESG reporting in mining
The era of climate change reporting has arrived and it presents miners with big opportunities, according to I4 Mining and Satarla, who have joined forces to create a solution that improves ESG reporting.
bp ups stakes in Port Hedland energy hub
bp will take a 40.5 per cent equity stake in the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) north-east of Port Hedland in Western Australia. Read more
Santos signs new gas deal with Yara
Western Australia’s biggest domestic gas supplier, Santos, has entered into new gas supply agreements with Yara Pilbara Fertilisers to supply natural gas to Yara’s liquid ammonia plant on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. Read more
Kickstart for hydrogen economy at Goondoowindi
The Queensland region of Goondiwindi is one step closer to having a regional hydrogen economy, fuelled by local sunshine and recycled water, thanks to $2 million in State Government funding. Read more
First nickel from Mincor Kambalda concentrator
BHP Nickel West has begun processing of ore from offtake partner Mincor Resources’ Kambalda Nickel Operations through the newly-refurbished Kambalda Nickel Concentrator (KNC). Read more
World’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck
Anglo American has unveiled a prototype of the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck designed to operate in everyday mining conditions. Read more
South Australia ranks high in global mining survey
The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) has welcomed the release of the Fraser Institute 2021 Survey of Mining Companies, which shows South Australia as the 10th most attractive jurisdiction in the world for mining investment. Read more
Green light for Beach Energy project
Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) has granted a gas production licence for the Beach Energy Enterprise Project in Victoria’s Otway Basin. Read more
Webinar: How to reduce downtime with digital twins and predictive maintenance in industrial gear units
Plant operators are constantly being challenged to minimise costly system downtime by being able to accurately predict the future performance of their operating equipment. This is made possible with a comprehensive predictive maintenance solution from SEW–EURODRIVE. Read more
Bowen Rail in motion for Bravus coal export
Bowen Rail Company’s state-of-the-art locomotives are now being tested and commissioned to begin exporting first coal for the mine and rail project with Bravus Mining and Resources’ Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland.
Once testing and commissioning is complete, the trains will regularly haul coal along the new 200-kilometre Carmichael rail network and then join the existing Aurizon network for the final leg to Abbot Point, where coal will be unloaded at the North Queensland Export Terminal for shipping to customers overseas.
“Our team is excited as we enter the next phase of our project, the finish line is now well and truly in sight,” Bravus Mining and Resources chief executive officer David Boshoff said.
Since construction commenced on the Carmichael project, Bravus has provided more than 2600 direct jobs and paid more than $1 billion to regional Queensland contractors and businesses.
“Bowen Rail Company was established a year ago in Bowen, north Queensland and in that time, we have recruited our initial team and taken delivery of our first three locomotives and associated coal haulage wagons,” Bowen Rail general manager Brendan Lane said.
“Our Bowen-based drivers have been itching to get in the driver’s seat of these state-of-the-art locomotives which are the first of their kind out of the Caterpillar company’s Progress Rail business in the USA.”
“We’re building our team and a variety of roles are available across our business and we are looking forward to more locals from the Whitsunday region joining us.”
Bravus Mining and Resources and Bowen Rail Company are both owned by Adani Australia.
Breathing easier with silica controls in the workplace
Silicosis has been flagged as a problem in the Australian mining industry since the beginning of the 20th century. Yet the dust disease is still prevalent today. Over 600,000 Australian workers are exposed to silica dust each year and an estimated 230 develop lung cancer as a result.
“In mines and quarry sites, there are a number of operational processes that produce dust – silica is a commonly occurring mineral found in most rock, so any activity that involves the crushing of rock can result in exposure,” explains Michael Rowe, Product Manager for Safety with CBC Australia.
“While it’s not a new issue – in fact the Government has highlighted silica exposure as a key industry issue since the 1920s – the fact is this disease kills, and as it’s still the cause of so many deaths, it remains a serious problem.”
Which is why Michael says workplace controls are critical.
“Silicosis is preventable through controls that either stop or reduce the amount of silica dust,” he stresses. “As there is no cure for silicosis, prevention is the only option.”
Mines and quarries are of course subject to Work, Health and Safety (WHS) regulations that require them to evaluate risks and implement a Hierarchy of Controls4. Nonetheless, Michael points out that it is still up to individuals to follow the rules. This is particularly important when it comes to wearing respiratory protection equipment (RPE), which is often referred to as the ‘last line of defence’.
“Workers in these industries should heed their site safety rules if they want to avoid having underlying problems in their future years,” he explains. “Masks are not always fun – as everyone nationally has now experienced – and when you’re onsite and working hard, wearing a mask can be particularly challenging. This is why having the right respirator and fitment to suit your working environment is vitally important. It’s so you get to go home healthy at the end of the day.”
Furthermore, Michael says it is fundamental employers “make sure the RPE is fit for purpose, not fit for price.”
When it comes to advising customers about RPE, however, he defers to the knowledge and expertise of CBC Australia’s premium partner, 3M. Read more
BHP unites with Tesla for nickel supply partnership
BHP will supply Tesla with nickel from its Nickel West assets in Western Australia in a collaboration which will aim to make the battery supply chain more sustainable.
The two companies will focus on establishing a supply chain that features end-to-end raw material traceability using blockchain.
They will develop a technical exchange for battery raw materials production and promote the importance of sustainability in the resources sector, including identifying partners which are most aligned with their principles and battery value chains.
BHP will also collaborate with Tesla on energy storage solutions to identify opportunities to lower carbon emissions in their respective operations through increased use of renewable energy paired with battery storage.
BHP chief commercial officer Vandita Pant said demand for nickel in batteries is estimated to grow by more than 500 per cent over the next decade, in large part to support the world’s rising demand for electric vehicles.
“We are delighted to sign this agreement with Tesla, and to collaborate with them on ways to make the battery supply chain more sustainable through our shared focus on technology and innovation,” Pant said.
Tesla is the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and battery storage systems with a mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy, and nickel is a key metal used to manufacture Tesla’s battery technology.
Last month, Tesla chair Robyn Denholm declared that the company planned to spend more than $1 billion on Australia’s minerals supply to cater for growing electric vehicle (EV) demand.
BHP Minerals Australia president Edgar Basto said the miner produces some of the lowest carbon intensity nickel in the world and is on the pathway to net zero at its operations.
“Sustainable, reliable production of quality nickel will be essential to meeting demand from sustainable energy producers like Tesla,” Basto said.
“The investments we have made in our assets and our pursuit of commodities like nickel will help support global decarbonisation and position us to generate long-term value for our business.”
Western Australia Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said the announcement reinforces the level of comfort global brands have in investing in the State knowing that raw materials are responsibly sourced.
“As investors and the community are increasingly holding mining companies to the highest ESG standards and practices, the supply agreement between BHP and Tesla reflects the regulatory framework in place in Western Australia that ensures the sustainable production of battery materials,” Johnston said.
Venture iron ore to set sail from Riley
Venture Minerals is less than two weeks away from commissioning the wet screening plant at the Riley iron ore mine in Tasmania.
Company managing director Andrew Radonjic said the commissioning would put iron ore shipments on track for the June quarter of 2021.
“Venture’s Riley development team continues to work hard to meet the installation schedule with the plant only two weeks away from starting commissioning,” he said.
“This timing puts the first iron ore shipment on track for this quarter and puts the company in a strong position to take advantage of the historically high iron ore prices.”
Iron ore demand is expected to remain strong into 2021 due to demand generated by Chinese infrastructure spending and supply concerns in Brazil, Venture stated.
The higher iron ore prices have also positioned the Riley mine “well above” its 2019 feasibility figures, which was previously based on a price of $US90 ($116) per tonne of 62 per cent iron ore.
The 62 per cent iron ore prices have since doubled to around $US180 per tonne.
Venture is close to completing construction of the plant, with 95 per cent of its structural steel effected and 80 per cent of its mechanical installation finalised.
Installation of the plant’s piping is the final stage to complete before it is commissioned.
The Riley iron ore mine has an indicated resource of two million tonnes at 52 per cent iron ore.
Venture expects the mine to create over 100 jobs across its project life and inject $100 million into to the economy over its two-year life of mine.
Glencore joins mining majors in launching apprenticeship program
Glencore is opening new career opportunities across regional communities, with the major mining company set to launch its 2021 apprenticeship program.
The program will support a variety of trades, including electrical, mechanical, fabrication, plumbing, carpentry and diesel fitting.
Glencore Australia regional human resources lead Jodie Hope said that with almost 450 apprentices already working across their Australian coal, copper and zinc operations, they were now looking for next year’s new recruits.
“We focus on local talent in the regional communities where we operate. In places like Mount Isa, Cloncurry, the Bowen Basin and broader Mackay region in Queensland; the Hunter Valley, Mudgee and Cobar in New South Wales; and McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory,” Hope said.
“As Australians look ahead to rebuilding the economy and working safely in a COVID-19 environment, we believe that supporting people to develop a meaningful and well-paid career is more important than ever.”
Applications for Glencore’s coal programs will run through May 21 to June 21. Glencore copper and zinc program applications will open on July 1 through to July 31.
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and Hastings Deering are also welcoming new candidates to their 2021 apprenticeship programs, creating a total of around 150 opportunities across the three intakes.
Hastings Deering this week announced its plan to fill 40 new apprenticeship positions across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane welcomed the opportunities, noting that they would help fast-track Queensland’s economy post COVID-19.
“I congratulate Glencore, BHP and Hastings Deering for launching these vital employment pathway programs and providing life changing opportunities to apprentices at a time when many are looking for a job,” Macfarlane said.
“These programs compliment the work of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) – QRC’s education arm – which works with 75 schools across Queensland with help from industry to teach trades and previous intakes have included QMEA graduates,” he added.
QMEA is a partnership between QRC and the Queensland Government under the Gateway Industry Skills program.
The future of mining technology at a glance
This infographic explores the real truth behind the impact new technologies are having on the future of mining.
New Hope registers steady revenue on the back of Bengalla
New Hope Group has reported solid earnings from its coal operations, driven mainly by increased production at the Bengalla mine in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
The company generated a revenue of $618 million in the six months ending January, which was in line with the company’s earnings in the prior corresponding period.
New Hope managing director, Shane Stephan said the solid revenue was achieved despite a 29 per cent decline in coal prices during the six-month period, which the company had offset with 42 per cent higher sales volumes.
This was largely due to the success of the Bengalla coal mine, where New Hope has 80 per cent interest.
New Hope’s share in Bengalla saw a production of 4.3 million tonnes of coal in the six months to January 2020, an increase of 84 per cent on the previous year.
“This saw a corresponding lift in coal sales, both internationally and domestically, with the company exporting 5.8 million tonnes, up 32 per cent on the prior corresponding period and 0.6 million tonnes domestically, up 469 per cent on the prior corresponding period,” said Stephan.
The Bengalla mine was on track for another positive production year, but the second half of 2020 could see lower productions from New Hope due to normal mine sequencing.
Bengalla is a single pit open cut mine located four kilometres south west of Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley region. A JORC study in 2014 estimated the mine’s coal reserves at 269 million tonnes, including 163 million tonnes proved and 106 million tonnes probable.
“The company has access to sufficient funds for current and future developments and the industry continues to attract funding both domestically and internationally,” Stephan said.
He added that the results were especially “noteworthy” given the uncertainty within the workforce at the company’s New Acland operations in Queensland.
In October last year, New Hope downsized its operations at the New Acland mine and made 150 workers redundant after its stage three mining project failed to receive the necessary approvals from the Queensland Government.