Author: Chloe Coutinho

Queensland Parliament has passed new laws to protect the health and safety of workers in Queensland’s mining industry. The newly passed Resources Safety and Health Legislation Amendment Bill addresses serious risks on mine sites and includes reforms of critical controls and the introduction of enforceable undertakings. Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart says resources workers’ safety is his primary focus. “The most important thing to come out of out of any workplace at the end of each shift is its workers, and that is why safety is my number one priority,” he said. “Our goal for these reforms was to improve the resource sector’s safety and health performance, and to reduce the number of fatalities and serious accidents.”…

A pioneering Moranbah, QLD program designed to equip local talent with cutting-edge electrotechnology skills is creating career pathways into the mining industry while fostering thriving communities. Anglo American – which operates five steelmaking coal mines in the Bowen Basin – partnered with Moranbah State High School (MSHS) and Major Training to deliver the electrotechnology course in the region. The course provides an entry-level understanding of electrical systems, circuitry and safety while allowing graduates to carve six months off an electrical apprenticeship. With a 100% success rate, the 19 graduating students from Moranbah, Dysart and Clermont will get four credits towards the 20 credits needed to complete their Queensland Certificate of Education. MSHS student Alexandra Ibbertson, who is about to finish…

The WA Government has approved draft mining amendment legislation that will ensure security of mining tenure and address key industry issues. In 2017, the High Court found that granted mining leases were invalid if they did not strictly follow the process for preparing and lodging tenement applications outlined in the Mining Act 1978. Following this outcome, the WA Government has drafted amendments to address procedural matters in Mining Act 1978 to prevent similar scenarios from arising in the future. The changes include amendments to address common pitfalls in the tenement application process such as the statements required to accompany an exploration licence application. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says security of tenure is essential in mining. “The …

Golding Contractors will acquire the mining services contract, associated fleet and transfer of employees of HSE Mining deployed at Stanmore Resources’ South Walker Creek (SWC) mine site in central Queensland. The transaction value of $85m will be funded via leading national mining and civil contractor NRW Holdings’ (ASX: NWH) asset finance facilities, as Golding is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRW. The agreement is expected to generate about $250m in annual revenue and is set to expire in August 2025. During this time, Golding will employ about 550 HSE personnel and operate the heavy mining equipment presently deployed at the SWC mine site. NRW managing director and chief executive officer Jules Pemberton says this acquisition continues NRW and Stanmore’s long-standing…

The Northern Territory Government has taken steps forward with the cornerstone Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct project with one of its key proponents, Tivan, signing an agreement with Japanese giant Sumitomo Corporation. Tivan, headquartered in Darwin, and Sumitomo will drive the development and financing of the Speewah vanadium project in the Kimberley region of north-east WA. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson says support from the Northern Territory government and Sumitomo is key to progress. “The Northern Territory Government has been steadfast in their support of Tivan Limited as we turned the company around over the past 18 months,” he said. “Our strategic alliance with Sumitomo Corporation enables us to progress our strategic goals with confidence, including at the Middle Arm…

Alcoa Corporation (Alcoa) has reached key milestones in its acquisition of Alumina (ASX: AWC) and expects to complete the transaction on or about August 1, 2024. These milestones include: filing its definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 6, this year, with a shareholder meeting scheduled for mid-July to vote on the transaction; regulatory approvals from Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) for the acquisition on May 13, this year and for which the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not conduct a public review of the transaction; Alumina registering its scheme booklet with ASIC and distributing it to its shareholders before the vote on July 18, this year. with the Federal Court of…

Zapping rocks with a high-voltage pulse – similar to a lightning strike – could be the answer to decarbonising the mining industry according to researchers from The University of Queensland. Researchers from UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute have developed and are commercialising high voltage pulse (HVP) technology, which uses a short-pulsed discharge similar to a lightning strike, to selectively break mineralised ores while keeping barren rocks intact. Project leader Dr Christian Antonio says their HVP technology, in the process of being commercialised, could significantly reduce energy consumption and essentially help decarbonise the mining industry. “Mineral processing is the most energy intensive part of mining and is a significant consumer of energy globally,” Dr Antonio said. “This technology makes it possible to…

A 100% electric bus transported its first passengers from the airport to Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora operation in WA’s northwest region today. The new bus, developed in partnership with local Port Hedland business Northfleet, is the first 100% electric major permanent mobile equipment to operate at Pilbara Minerals’ lithium mine, replacing a diesel fuelled bus that is estimated to have used approximately 12,000L of diesel every year. The bus is understood to be the first electric bus to operate in the East Pilbara. Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson welcomes the new addition to the site. “As a leading producer of lithium battery raw materials, we are committed to supporting the global energy transition and this includes at…

Much-loved community initiative, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, is set to continue providing free access to books for children across the Narrabri region after securing funding support from the local community and businesses, including Whitehaven Coal. The free book gifting program is dedicated to inspiring children to love reading from an early age. Each month, enrolled children from birth to age five receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge. Since its inception in Narrabri in 2022, the program has gifted free books to 271 children in the Shire. The Narrabri program initially received funding from the NSW Government, however, recently, the Narrabri Shire Council announced that funding for new enrolments would cease from 1 July 2024,…

The Port Hedland facility is the flagship Enduron high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) service centre in the region. The facility supports major operations in the Pilbara region, including the Iron Bridge project. Port Hedland serves as a critical hub for the mining and resources industry in Australia, driving economic growth and success for the important iron ore region. The new facility bolsters Weir’s national network of sixteen service centres and will support customers and their operations across the Pilbara region. Weir regional managing director Kristen Walsh says the facility will provide best-in-class service while advancing sustainable progress across the Pilbara. “The new centre at Port Hedland will support our key customers in the region, providing Weir’s best-in-class service and expertise,” she…