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Sideffect Australia launches online drug education portal, The Orange Card Today marks the official launch of a new online platform that has been specially designed to combat the rise in Australia’s workplace drug culture – The Orange Card. The online program is an initiative of Sideffect Australia and includes eight drug education modules, covering Methamphetamine, MDMA, Research Chemicals, 25in BOME, Synthetic Cannabis, Marijuana, Cocaine, and Fentanyl.   David Hobbs, Director and CEO of Sideffect Australia, says that The Orange Card was inspired by the mandatory White Card used in the construction industry. “Our aim is to educate employees about the dangers of substance abuse and to create a safer community and workplace for everyone,” says Hobbs. “We are envisioning that...

All images: New Hope Group.   BY REUBEN ADAMS   THE QLD coal sector is enjoying strong revenues, employment growth, and new investment. Now – as QLD Labor secures another term in office – it’s time to examine how red tape, drawn out development approvals, and political risk are having a real and tangible impact on greenfields and brownfields mine development.   Coal has officially re-emerged from some of the most difficult industry conditions in years. Even taking into account the substantial impacts of Cyclone Debbie in April, strong prices have put a spring into the step of the QLD’s major producers. In FY17, New Hope Group’s revenue from its QLD and NSW operations jumped 59 per cent to $844.1...

Image: Tianqi Lithium Australia.   BY ELIZABETH FABRI   WA spodumene producers are moving downstream to cash-in on sky-high lithium hydroxide prices. But is the capital spend on processing infrastructure worth the risk?   2017 was a game-changer for the WA lithium industry. In 2016 there was just a few producing mines in the State; in 2018 this number looks set to explode as investors pour capital into the swarm of lithium mines now at various stages of development. The Neometals and Mineral Resources Mt Marion JV entered production in late 2016, followed shortly by Galaxy Resources’ Mt Cattlin project which exported its first shipment of lithium concentrate in January 2017. Next cabs off the rank are Pilbara Minerals’ and...

Image: NT Department of Industry and Resources.   BY CAMERON DRUMMOND   SPURRED on by rising commodity prices and booming battery-affiliated raw material markets, the Northern Territory is seeing a marked rise in exploration and the number of projects moving towards development.   ON the back of a global increase in demand for raw materials the NT Government is wasting no time reforming its mining industry processes to make the region more attractive for investment. Behind construction, the resources sector is the top end’s second biggest industry, accounting for about 13 per cent of gross state product (GSP). NT Resources minister Ken Vowles said mining and exploration remained a “key element” of economic development and employment in remote and regional...

All images: Roy Hill.   BY ELIZABETH FABRI   AT last – the $10 billion Roy Hill mine has hit its 55 million tonne per annum run rate. After overcoming significant orebody challenges during ramp up, the miner is now posting tidy profits as it nears the end of a 90 day lenders test to demonstrate sustainable levels of production. It has been a rocky road to full production for Roy Hill since sending off its first shipment in December 2015. Teething issues encountered with the orebody caused a series of delays, pushing what was originally scheduled to be complete by the end of 2016, back until late 2017. It was a tough time for the miner, but after much...