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MINING is a dangerous profession. The traditional occupational hazards such as coal dust inhalation, damage to hearing due to the noise in a mine and chemical hazards still stand but the changing nature of mining has led to a raft of new issues.   As mines get deeper, heat exhaustion becomes more common as the temperature rises, with dehydration and heat cramps not unusual. In deep mining, where ventilation and temperature control systems are an essential part of the permanent production structure, fractional increases in climatic conditions on the surface can add significant stress to existing equipment, resulting in decreased performance levels.   Regulated ventilation of the mine is another critical area in underground hard rock mines where heavy machinery...

The final Cliffs iron ore shipment in June.   BY ELIZABETH FABRI   RECORD lithium exports coupled with an eleventh hour purchase of Cliff’s closing Koolyanobbing iron ore mine has put the Southern Ports Authority – particularly Esperance – in the spotlight through 2018. Moving into the new year, opportunities are expected to continue across its diversified commodity mix.   Since the amalgamation of the ports of Albany, Bunbury and Esperance in 2014, it’s been full steam ahead for the Southern Ports Authority. In FY18 total exports came to 30.9mt as the ports continued to benefit from WA’s growing economy, with newcomers such as bauxite coming on board. Iron ore, mineral sands, and nickel have been key contributors to the...

    BY: JESSICA CUMMINS    The number of Indigenous Australians working in the mining industry has more than doubled since the 1990s. The Australian Mining Review speaks with WA Aboriginal Affairs minister Ben Wyatt and PwC about the challenges and major developments that have shaped the sector.   GOVERNMENT initiatives such as the Federal Indigenous Procurement Policy and the WA  Aboriginal Procurement Policy have played a key role in facilitating the prosperity of Indigenous businesses. Comprising three main parts, the Federal Procurement Policy ensures a target of three per cent of Commonwealth contracts were awarded to Indigenous businesses; ensures a mandatory was set aside for remote contracts and contracts valued between $80,000 and $200,000; and a minimum Indigenous participation...

  All images: Bounty Mining    BY: JESSICA CUMMINS   In 2015, Bounty Mining found itself in voluntary administration; now the company has become a miner to watch, recently relisting on the ASX, with an expanded portfolio in central and far north QLD.   SINCE completing the landmark acquisition of Cook Colliery and Minyango in late 2017,  metallurgical coal miner and developer Bounty Mining has gone from strength to strength. After a tough couple of years, on 15 June the miner was readmitted to the ASX, raising $18 million in an IPO at an issue price of $0.35 per share. The listing represented a turnaround for the company, and a shot in the arm for its projects in the development...

Team members at Olympic Dam. Image: BHP     BY AMY BLOM   OLYMPIC Dam had mixed results in FY18 as a result of smelter issues as well as a planned rolling shutdown. However, production is back on track and BHP is pushing ahead with expansion projects and potentially game-changing innovations that could decrease costs while doubling production.   Growth plans for BHP’s Olympic Dam were back on track following a slower than planned ramp-up after its major smelter upgrade earlier this year and ongoing technical issues. The major smelter maintenance upgrade was the largest planned shutdown ever undertaken in Olympic Dam’s 30 year history, running from August 2017 until February 2018. Other major upgrade work was carried out on...

BY MITSUI & CO   AUSTRALIA has a rich and diverse history in commodities, and as the industry evolves the role of technology is increasingly pivotal to driving greater productivity and competitiveness.   At Mitsui & Co. (Australia) we have been investing in Australia’s resources sector since the 1960s. In that time, we have witnessed the ups and downs of global economic cycles while also simultaneously watching the resilience of the Australian mining sector. As we look to the future we are most excited about the profound changes and transformations made possible through innovation and technology. Just a decade ago it would have been hard to predict that the ‘digital mine’ would see autonomous trucks, trains and drones operating across...

All images: Iluka Resources    BY: JESSICA CUMMINS   It’s been a year of delivery for Iluka Resources, with completion of its $275 million Cataby mineral sands project edging closer, and expansion plans moving forward across its Jacinth-Ambrosia and Sierra Leonean operations.   PERTH based major mineral sands company Iluka Resources has its hands full with construction works in the final stages at Cataby, and development works progressing on four expansion projects. The miner finished the first half of the calendar year in a strong position, with net profit after tax of $126 million; underlying group EBITDA up 80 per cent to $279 million compared to the first half of 2017; strong free cash flow of $226 million; and a...

  All images: Saracen Minerals    BY: JESSICA CUMMINS    Capping off FY18 with record breaking results and hitting 2.5 million ounces in gold reserves brings Saracen Minerals closer to reaching its goal of 400,000ozpa within the next five years. Saracen Minerals managing director Raleigh Finlayson speaks with The Australian Mining Review about its achievements and plans for the rest of the year.   GOLD miner Saracen Minerals is in good stead with a FY18 net profit surge of 166 per cent to $75.6 million; an increase from $28.4m a year prior. Saracen Minerals managing director Raleigh Finlayson said the strong results were particularly pleasing given the miner was in a growth phase. Mr Finlayson said profit and free cash...