Category: Features

DESPITE the uncertainties caused by COVID, gold appears to have recovered swiftly on the markets, exceeding the $2500/oz mark in mid-June. The bullish outlook is certainly encouraging news for gold miners, none more so than Alkane Resources, a gold production company with a multi?commodity exploration and development portfolio. Alkane’s projects are predominantly in the Central West Region of NSW, but extend throughout Australia through investments in other gold exploration and mining companies. Alkane’s gold production is from the Tomingley Gold Operations (TGO), which has been operating since early 2014, and its most advanced gold exploration projects are in the fully Alkane-owned tenement area between TGO and Peak Hill, which have the potential for sourcing additional ore for TGO. Alkane has...

THE Australian space industry is set for lift-off. The Federal Government is paving the way for Australian companies to become key players in the global space economy, currently worth US$350b and expected to be valued at more than US$1.1t by 2040. The flow-on effects will reach other markets such as mining, agriculture, finance, health and tourism. In this article, we look at what this means for Australian resources companies. NASA’s Moon to Mars Mission Man first landed on the Moon in 1969 through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Apollo 11 mission. In Greek mythology, Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo. Now, more than half a century later and through the Artemis program, NASA aims to land the...

2019 was indeed a year to remember for Northern Star Resources. The company signed off the December quarter as a 1moz  per year gold producer, with four Tier 1 assets in its portfolio: the Jundee and Kalgoorlie mines, a half–share in the Kalgoorlie Super Pit, and the world-class Pogo mine in Alaska. Chiefly engaged in the exploration of gold deposits, the business’ fully-owned Australian operations ­­- the Jundee and Kalgoorlie mines in the Goldfields of WA - exceeded guidance with 169,584oz of gold sold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1263/oz. The Kalgoorlie operations comprise of Kanowna Belle, South Kalgoorlie, and East Kundana, a joint venture (Northern Star 51pc, Rand and Tribune 49pc) project comprising three producing underground deposits:...

IT’S been a tumultuous period for lithium, with the once-highly sought-after commodity losing its lustre amid uncertainty within the Chinese economy. But despite the challenges faced by the global lithium market, Galaxy Resources Ltd has continued its strategy to become a leading global supplier of high-quality lithium products. The company’s latest report states that Galaxy is in fact in the strongest financial position in its history. The balance sheet remains robust, with cash and financial assets of US$143.2m and zero debt as at the start of the year. Chairman Martin Rowley said this financial position, together with  diversity of global assets, continues to uniquely position the miner in the industry to react promptly to evolving global market conditions. “A key...

THEY say hope springs eternal, and by all accounts, Hope Downs is looking at optimistic times in the wake of record iron ore prices and challenging COVID-19 conditions. The 2019 Rio Tinto fourth quarter report revealed the entity produced 48.26mt of iron ore last year, representing one of Australia’s largest and most successful iron ore projects in the lower cost quartile. Development of the new Baby Hope deposit will help sustain existing capacity at the Hope Downs 1 operation, supporting ongoing jobs at Hope Downs. Geology The Hope Downs mines are located in the Hamersley Group in WA’s Pilbara, which forms the middle layer of Mount Bruce Group in the Marra Mamba iron formation. The section contains rocks dated to...

AUSTRALIAN coal is in demand for both energy and steel-making. Its high-energy, low ash characteristics ideally match the requirements for high efficiency, low emission (HELE) coal-fired power plants being built throughout Asia, while the high grade metallurgical coals are among the best in the world for modern steel making. Australian coal can also reduce emissions when compared to lower-quality coal from other exporters. Supplier reliability, proximity to key markets and good infrastructure availability puts Australia in a strong position to take advantage of growing demand from existing customers such as Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea, as well as newer buyers such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. Coal mining in Australia is a sophisticated and hi-tech activity. Continuous improvements in...

ROY Hill’s first shipment of iron ore departed from Port Hedland on December 10, 2015, and in 2019, the company hit a milestone of more than 925 shipments departing the port since the commencement of operations. Within a short space of time, it achieved production of 55mtpa of iron ore and became a profitable operation. Roy Hill’s iron ore has been delivered to key markets largely in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan, with the majority of its tonnage going to minority partners. Roy Hill has received approval to increase shipping to 60Mtpa, from its current 55Mtpa. On a WHIMS In supporting the move to achieve 60Mtpa, Roy Hill’s Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS) plant has been installed and operation...

A RECORD gold price in terms of Australian dollars is shining a light on Australian gold producers as they rake in outsized gains in a bullish market. Spot gold burst through US$1660/oz in February, its highest level since early 2013, but in Australian dollar currency this translates to $2500/oz – its highest ever. One Australian gold producer well positioned to capitalise on soaring gold prices is Tropicana, one of the largest gold mines in Australia. Situated on the edge of the Great Victoria desert, 330km northeast of Kalgoorlie in WA, Tropicana is about to embark on a major growth phase. An expansion project, the Boston Shaker underground mine, is due to come online in the second half of 2020 and...

NORTHPARKES is both a farmer and a miner, owning about 10,314ha of land in Central West NSW. Mining operations occupy 1630ha and the remaining area operates as a commercial agricultural and logistics operation. Northparkes is a joint venture between China Molybdenum Company (CMOC) (80pc) and the Sumitomo Group (20pc). It was the first mine in Australia to use the highly efficient block cave mining method, now used in several mines throughout the country. Since 1993, Northparkes has been celebrated for its high-quality copper deposits, low cost operations and loyal, committed people. The operation is made up of an underground block cave mine, a sub-level cave and an ore processing plant which produces copper concentrate for export. In 1997, first full-scale...

CHINESE demand for seaborne energy coal increased in 2019 despite increased demand for other forms of power, according to BHP’s latest economic and commodity outlook published in February this year. The report, focused on the first half of 2020, states demand for energy coal is expected to retain competitiveness in India and other populous, low-income emerging markets for a much longer time. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts coal demand in Southeast Asia will grow by more than five pc per year through to 2024, led by Indonesia and Vietnam, and with new plants being developed in South Asia. IEA’s energy markets and security director Keisuke Sadamori said global trends will ultimately depend on China, where half of the world’s...

CENTENNIAL  is no stranger to climate change activism. An approval by the NSW Planning and Assessment Committee to allow Centennial to expand its Springvale mine was overturned by the NSW Court of Appeal in 2017. The 4nature activist group was concerned the expansion, near to heritage-listed swamps in the Blue Mountains National Park, would pollute water entering catchments feeding into Sydney's water supply. The NSW Parliament subsequently passed legislation allowing the continued operation of the Springvale mine, thus securing 600 jobs for the Lithgow area, while also maintaining water quality in the Sydney catchment area. Springvale is the sole provider of coal to the Mount Piper power station, which provides around 11pc of NSW’s electricity. Centennial’s coal fuels about 40pc...