Author: Chloe Coutinho

Solid rock home for Queensland water battery The Queensland Government reports promising investigative geotechnical drilling at the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project which is expected to deliver the largest water battery of its kind in the world. Investigations drilled to 850m, yielding 3,800m of geotechnical cores, mostly extracted by local Mackay, Queensland drillers, Twin Hills Engineering. WSP and SMEC have identified very strong, coarse competent granite rock ideal for dam construction, tunnels and potentially multiple underground multi-turbine powerhouses. Queensland Government geologist Tony Knight says the samples are ideal for this project. “The samples I inspected from the site...

Green is a go: WA initiative approves first project A solar project in the Pilbara, WA, is the first project approved under the WA Government’s Green Energy Approvals Initiative. The approved project of up to 150MW will be located within a 13,000km2 in the Pilbara and is part of Indigenous-led Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation’s (YEC) plans for one of Australia’s largest renewable energy developments intended to total 3GW of solar, wind and storage capacity. Pilbara member Kevin Michel says this project sets a new standard for renewable energy developments. “I'm thrilled the first project assessed under the Green Energy Approvals...

Liebherr celebrates global milestones 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Liebherr Group, with celebrations taking place in locations all over the world. Liebherr also celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Zambia company earlier this month. The company was founded in June 2014 to provide support for mining activities in the Zambian Copperbelt. Liebherr Zambia administration managing director Henri Wassink says the company has expanded over 10 years. “When we first opened, we had a handful of employees: one accountant, one parts representative, and a single technician,” he said. “Today, Liebherr Zambia is more than 100 employees strong, and we are present on different customer sites.” Despite being home to 20%...

Energy transition tops global mining trends: State of Play Energy transition is now in the top three global trends that are expected to have the biggest impact on innovation in mining over the next 15 years, according to latest reports by State of Play. The reports, entitled Mining Strategy in a Changing World and Unearthing Tomorrow: Trends Shaping the Future of Mining, analyse surveys and interviews with industry leaders to identify changes in attitudes and practices. State of Play founder and chairman Graeme Stanway says the reports showcase a significant shift in attitudes towards the energy transition. “In recent years the survey results were pretty evenly...

QLD passes new laws to protect resources worker safety 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...

Moranbah pilot program lights the way for a career in mining 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....

Draft mining amendment to ensure security 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...

Golding acquires HSE Mining assets in $85m transaction 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...

Landmark Tivan, Sumitomo deal boosts Middle Arm development 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...

Alcoa reaches key milestones in Alumina acquisition 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...

High-voltage technology to supercharge the mining industry 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...