Category: Features

Peak crane body vital in driving the future Since 1980, the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has been a driving force behind strengthening the crane industry across the country. Providing opportunities and support in a bid to progress the industry nationally, CICA has always aimed to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of crane industry personnel, push compliance in legislation and regulation, and improve crane usage, experience and efficiency. The council is not only Australia’s peak body for the crane industry though. Its board is also involved on a global scale, sitting on the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly where continents are represented and facilitate information sharing and dialogue between stakeholders...

Hero of the Hunter Valley Iconic HVO Seeks to Continue A VENERABLE coal mine in NSW’s famous Hunter Valley region is in the process of seeking to continue its operations after first commencing operations back in 1949. Located in the Upper Hunter Valley region of the state, Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) – which is located at Lemington, around 24km north-west of Singleton – is a large open cut mine with two sites: HVO South and HVO North. HVO produces up to 42 million tonnes of high-quality coal to help meet the world’s energy needs. The mines support around one thousand five hundred jobs and with more than seven hundred suppliers creates thousands of flow-on jobs across the state, while injecting...

Biodiversity In Mining PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY is becoming an increasingly important function for mining companies as the combined pressures of social responsibility, legal compliance and business resilience begin to mount and the sector comprehends that ensuring the conservation of biodiversity can enhance its reputation, compliance and sustainability. Biodiversity itself provides critical ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, pollination, soil formation, and pest control and these play an important function to both human health and that of the natural environment. Where in the past mining companies have frequently taken a relaxed attitude towards biodiversity preservation, with an estimated 50,000 plus sites across the country abandoned and unrehabilitated, increasing amounts of legislation across the life cycle of a mine and more stringent...

BCI Minerals On Track For Renewables Transition BCI Minerals Ltd (ASX:BCI) is seeing rapid growth and success with its 100% owned Mardie Salt and Potash Project on the West Pilbara coast in WA. Designed to produce 5.35Mtpa of high-purity salt and 140ktpa of Sulphate of Potash (SOP), the project is a future Tier 1 solar evaporation project that will be a sustainable supplier of salt and potash for decades to come. As a developer of renewable minerals for a modern world, BCI Minerals is currently still in its construction phase and will be the first major salt project developed in Australia in two decades, being the only Australian operation to product commercially saleable salt and SOP. BCI Minerals Managing Director...

A Step Above The Rest Asset owners and site managers are aware of the risks associated with working at heights, and the need to implement procedures that keep workers safe when performing their duties. While keeping projects on track, reducing operational downtime, and increasing productivity all have an impact on business performance, maintaining a safe environment for workers remains a priority. When performing tasks at potentially dangerous heights, employees need the assurance that all the necessary steps have been taken to mitigate unforeseen risk. From mining maintenance, construction sites and manufacturing workshops, to retail, warehousing and everything in between, OEM Group is a company that is keeping a step ahead in safeguarding workers. In the early 2000's, the company identified...

American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR) has completed its 38-hole, 5,726m drilling program at its Halleck Creek rare earths project in Albany County, Wyoming, USA, and says it is closer to defining a substantial maiden JORC resource. The company drilled to a depth of 150m. This was a 50% increase over and above the 100m depth drilled for the maiden drill campaign and was not included in the exploration targets announced last year. The previous JORC compliant Exploration Target estimate outlined between 1.01 and 1.27 Billion Tonnes of Rare Earth mineralised rocks with TREO grades ranging between 2,245 ppm and 2,807 ppm. American Rare Earths said the drilling confirms the Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing geological structure is significantly larger than previously...

Suvo Strategic Minerals Limited (ASX: SUV) has completed the tenement purchase for 100% of exploration license application E70/4981, located in the Muchea region of Western Australia. The company confirmed that all conditions precedent have been satisfied or waived for the purchase of the Muchea Silica Sand Project (previously referred to as White Hill Silica Sand Project). The Muchea Silica Sand Project comprises pending exploration licence E70/4981 (Tenement Application), located in the Muchea area, (Yeal nature reserve) 50km north of Perth, Western Australia, and is highly prospective for high-quality silica sand. The project spans an area of ~47km². The targeted Silica sand deposits lie in the Bassendean sand table. These are windblown dune systems that have been created over tens of...

Oar Resources Limited (ASX: OAR) (“OAR” or “the Company”) has applied for five additional tenements surrounding its three already granted tenements at the Denchi Lithium Project near Wiluna in Western Australia’s Northern Goldfields. The new tenements cover 784.3km2 across 253 blocks, expanding the existing project area to a total 1004.4km2. The applications follow field reconnaissance in early December 2022 which identified a number of potential lithium bearing pegmatites outcropping within granites previously mapped by the Geological Survey of Western Australia. The Denchi Lithium Project is located approximately 50km west of Wiluna and in proximity to several known lithium resources including Liontown Resources’ Kathleen Valley deposit. Oar Resources Chief Executive Officer Paul Stephen said: “These tenement applications, once granted, will expand...

Stockholm, Sweden: Epiroc, a leading productivity and sustainability partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, has completed the acquisition of Remote Control Technologies Pty Ltd, an Australian company that provides automation and remote-control solutions for mining customers around the world. With this acquisition, Epiroc will be the world-leading automation solutions provider not only for surface and underground rock drilling but also for underground loading and haulage.  Remote Control Technologies, known as RCT, is headquartered in Perth, Australia, with customers in more than 70 countries. The company provides automation and remote-control solutions applicable for either a single machine or an entire mixed fleet of machines regardless of manufacturer or type of equipment. RCT also provides data and information systems, fleet and...

Sandfire Resources has appointed experienced mining executive Mr Brendan Harris as the Company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment marks the completion of a global executive search that followed founding CEO Karl Simich’s decision to step down from the role on 30 September 2022. Mr Harris has extensive experience as an exploration geologist, highly-regarded equity analyst and senior executive with BHP and South32. He has been a member of South32’s executive management team since its demerger from BHP in 2015 and played a key role in the company’s establishment as its inaugural Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, he has held the role of Chief Human Resources and Commercial Officer at South32, with responsibility for global commodity marketing, procurement...

Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) is proceeding with the West Dome Stage 8 cutback at its Telfer operation, with the board a total investment of A$214 million, inclusive of mine operating costs, and A$73 million of capitalised production stripping. Newcrest said the cutback would underpin continuity of operations at Telfer, with the mine now expected to extend operations into early FY25 . The cutback is located adjacent to the current West Dome Stage 2 and West Dome Stage 5 pits, and first ore production is expected in the December 2022 quarter. Newcrest Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sandeep Biswas, said: “We are delighted to further extend the life of our Telfer operation, highlighting our ability to maximise the full...