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All images: Adani BY CAMERON DRUMMOND DEVELOPMENT of Adani’s $16.5 billion Carmichael coal project is back on the table after the QLD Government made clear its position for the go ahead of the project. The Indian miner had dramatically suspended its final investment decision just days before its due date, blaming lack of clarity over royalty rates and the specifics of a $900 million Federal loan through the North Australian Infrastructure facility (NAIF). Over the last two years, Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal project has tenaciously pushed through the approval processes for the gigantic mine and associated infrastructure which, if developed, had the potential to unlock widespread development in the Galilee Basin. The proposed Carmichael coal, railway and port project includes building…

Heavy mineral concentrate stockpiles at Jacinth- Ambrosia. Image: Iluka Resources. BY ELIZABETH FABRI AFTER experiencing significant financial losses during 2016, international minerals sands company Iluka Resources is back on track with the Sierra Rutile acquisition now under its belt, and a handful of advanced production and exploration opportunities in progress to deliver future growth. Iluka Resources is finally making a comeback. At the end of 2016, the company reported an 11.4 per cent decline in revenue brought on by low market conditions from the minerals sands sector, which was partially responsible for a total reported loss of $224.0 million after tax. However, higher commodity prices this year have generated a substantial increase in revenue for the global miner. In the March…

 All Images: Whitehaven Coal. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND ON the back of increased seaborne coal prices, Whitehaven banked record revenue during the first half of the 2017 financial year which enabled the company to pay down more than $300 million of debt. Whitehaven Coal is Australia’s largest independent coal producer, with five operating mines in North West NSW. The operations have a combined annual output of 20.1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa); however Whitehaven is undertaking expansion works at its flagship Maules Creek operation to increase its saleable coal output to 23mtpa by the 2019 financial year. Thermal and metallurgical coal is produced from one underground mine, Narrabri, and four open cut mines at Maules Creek, Tarrawonga, Werris Creek and Rocglen…

All images: Aurizon. BY ELIZABETH FABRI AURIZON is experiencing a difficult few months as it deals with the structural and financial damages experienced following Cyclone Debbie, but under the new leadership of ex-Rio Tinto executive Andrew Harding, the company’s strength cannot be questioned. Former Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Andrew Harding took over the Aurizon reins in December; and has since made a wave of advancements. With close to 25 years experience as an executive in the resources industry, Mr Harding also brings a fresh and progressive approach to the role to further Aurizon’s Australian presence. “I joined Aurizon in December, moving from a wintery London to sub-tropical Brisbane,” Mr Harding told Melbourne Mining Club delegates in April. “After 24…

Prominent Hill mine. Image: OZ Minerals. BY ELIZABETH FABRI WITH a history dating back to the 1800s, the South Australian resources sector is a continued force in Australian mining, boasting a portfolio of world-class projects and new exploration prospects for the next generation of mining. South Australia is a proud mining region, with many noteworthy accolades to its name. To begin, the State is home to the world’s largest known uranium deposit and Australia’s largest underground mine, Olympic Dam. It also hosts 68 per cent of the country’s copper resources, 80 per cent of its uranium resources, 28 per cent of the economic gold resources, and more than 14 billion tonnes of iron ore. In 2016, the region even ranked as…

The Woodlawn zinc-copper project site near Tarago, NSW.          Image: Heron Resources. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND MULTI-commodity focused explorer Heron Resources has awarded a $107m contract for the development of its Woodlawn zinc-copper project in NSW. The engineering, procurement and construction contract (EPC) went to CIMIC Group subsidiary Sedgman for the development of a 1.5 million tonnes per annum mineral processing plant that would produce zinc, copper and lead concentrates. The design also included a backfill plant and supporting infrastructure at the project located near Tarago, 250km southwest of Sydney. More than 250 personnel would be employed at the peak of construction. Heron Resources managing director Wayne Taylor said the contract award followed the successful undertaking of a…

Salt Lake Potash intends to become Australia’s first producer of sulphate of potash.          Image: Salt Lake Potash. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND WA-based miner Salt Lake Potash has raised $17.6 million for the development of a pilot plant at its Goldfields Salt Lakes project near Laverton, WA. Commitments were made by UK and Australian investors to subscribe for 41 million ordinary shares at 43 cents per share, representing a n 11.9 per cent discount to the 20-day weighted average price. Salt Lake said the funds would be used for the planning and initial construction costs of the plant, as well as ongoing resource investigation, testwork and other associated studies. “We are very pleased to have successfully put in…