The Australian Mining Review April 2026 Edition

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North Queensland exports power Queensland’s prosperity

North Queensland exports power Queensland’s prosperity

A new report has highlighted the multi-billion-dollar contribution the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) north of Bowen in North Queensland makes to local, state and national economies. North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) commissioned the study to examine the economic and social impact of three Queensland east coast ports it is port authority for — Hay Point, Mackay and Abbot Point. The North Queensland Export Terminal is located within the Port of Abbot Point. The study found activity at the Port of Abbot Point contributed almost $10b to the Queensland economy each year and supported more than 8000 jobs across the mining, construction, transport and wholesale trade industries. NQXT general manager Mark Smith said the report was further evidence of the…

Weir joins International Copper Association

Weir joins International Copper Association

The International Copper Association (ICA) has announced The Weir Group (Weir) as its newest member. Weir is a global leader in mining technology and innovation, this partnership reinforces ICA’s mission to connect the entire copper value chain. Weir provides world-class engineering solutions by utilising materials science expertise with intelligent automation to produce end-to-end mining technologies. Founded in 1871, Weir continues to pave the path to smart, efficient and sustainable mining. Weir’s chief executive Jon Stanton said that the company is delighted to join the ICA. “Copper has such a critical role to play in the energy transition and full value chain approach is required to accelerate the productivity and sustainability improvements needed to support future demand,” he said. “Delivering the…

Bowen High students unlock ‘export level’ at Abbot Point

Bowen High students unlock ‘export level’ at Abbot Point

Abbot Point Operations (APO) has taken a group of Bowen State High School students on a deep dive into the operations of Australia’s most northern deepwater export port. The year seven students participated in a two-day learning experience at Bowen’s North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) gaining a fascinating insight into the stages of resources production and learning how the terminal plays a vital part in the pit-to-port process. The learnings from the site tour were then applied at a school ‘Pit to Port’ workshop delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council. Bowen State High School principal Robert Harris said the two-day program was a special educational experience for the students.…

Some of the players stopping at the BM&R hydration station

Bravus backs First Nations footy, jobs

Bravus Mining and Resources was thrilled to help bring First Nations players from around central and north Queensland together in Rockhampton recently for the annual Warba Wangarunya Rugby League Carnival. The Rockhampton and Townsville-based operator of the Carmichael coal mine, near Clermont in central Queensland, was a major sponsor of the event, hosted each year by Darumbal Community Youth Service. The Warba Wangarunya Rugby League Carnival has a vision of One Community, One People, One Game, and 2024 saw 31 teams take to Saleyards Park for four days of exhilarating football played in great spirit. Local Rocky outfit Tunuba Dakani won the men’s competition while the Masada Iosefa and Gary Field Memorial Team were crowned women’s champions. Black Boys claimed…

Industry and infrastructure in the balance

Industry and infrastructure in the balance

WA’s Mid West is poised to become a thriving iron ore region: potentially one of the biggest in Australia and second only to the Pilbara. With more than 100 mineral, infrastructure and tourism projects driving this growth, the region is gradually becoming a major economic hub, as local employment figures rise and communities develop. Mining in the Mid West has already boosted the region’s economy by delivering major employment and business opportunities, yet the area is still undergoing significant development, confirming its undeniable value. Due to the Mid West’s ample mineral resources, mining will continue to play an important role in its economy. The Mid West’s estimated Gross Regional Product was about $6.1 billion for the 2010-2011 financial year, representing…

Chinese group pays $6 billion for copper project

Chinese group pays $6 billion for copper project

MELBOURNE-based Minmetals Group (MMG) has made a major deal with Glencore Xstrata, acquiring the Las Bambas copper project in a US$5.85 billion all-cash transaction. Through a joint venture agreement, Chinese state-owned MMG has gained a controlling interest of 62.5 per cent in the copper project. Partners include Hong Kong-based financial investment company Guoxin International Investment (22.5 per cent), and Chinese natural resources company CITIC Metal (15 per cent). Las Bambas, in the Apurímac region of southern-central Peru, is set to become one of the world’s top three copper mines once in full production. The project has a 6.9 million tonne copper ore reserve and a 10.5mt copper mineral resource, and is expected to produce more than 2mt of copper concentrate…

CIMIC has increased its ownership in Thiess by 10% to 60%.

CIMIC increases Thiess ownership to 60%

CIMIC Group (ASX: CIM) has increased its ownership in global mining services provider Thiess to 60%. The $320m acquisition has increased CIMIC’s shareholding by 10%. CIMIC executive chairman Juan Santamaria says the increase will strengthen the company’s profile. “Increasing our ownership of Thiess strengthens CIMIC’s business profile, as it grows its commodities portfolio to include metals and minerals critical to the world’s shift to zero emissions and develops services to enable sustainable mining, reflecting the strategic importance of the energy transition to CIMIC,” he said. “Thiess is a well performing business underpinned by long-term, low-risk contract, providing an annuity-style income stream and stable cash flows.” In 2020, CIMIC sold 50% of Thiess to Elliott Advisors with a put option back…

Simpson Gap in the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory kicks off 15th Resources Week

The Northern Territory Resources Week has kicked off for another year, bringing together The South East Asia Australia Offshore and Onshore Conference (SEAAOC), Mining the Territory Conference and the Environmental Management and Decarbonisation Forum. In its 15th year, Resources Week is an opportunity to send a message to investors loud and clear that the Northern Territory is a world class destination for mining. The Northern Territory’s resource industry is worth around $6.2b and is one of the largest job creators with around 5300 people directly employed by the sector. It supports hundreds of small businesses across all regions and delivers millions of resource royalty dollars every year into schools and hospitals. In the 2022/23 financial year, mineral expenditure in the…