Category: Features

BHP conducted the first blast at its South Flank project in September. Image: BHP. BY AMY BLOM MINING giant BHP is on time and on budget to deliver its multibillion dollar South Flank project, having taken off with a flying start in July. South Flank has made a rapid start in its first three months of construction, according to project director Simon Thomas. Speaking at a WA Mining Club lunch in Perth on 25 October, Mr Thomas said BHP already had more than 600 people working on the project, with local contractors such as NRW, Clough, CPB and Decmil mobilised to site. He said September quarter highlights included an expansion of the Mulla Mulla village facilities comprising 756 operational rooms…

GFG Alliance executive chairman Sanjeev Gupta. Image: GFG Alliance. Photography: Sean Kelly. BY ELIZABETH FABRI IT’S been another big year for British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta and his global powerhouse GFG Alliance, with expansions in Australia, the US and Europe cementing the company as a leader in steel manufacturing and renewables. Moving into 2019, the company’s Australian division will accelerate further with an ASX listing on the cards, and plans underway to develop an electric vehicle manufacturing hub. Three years ago GFG Alliance executive chairman Sanjeev Gupta made headlines for his rescue and revival of a number of distressed metals, mining, engineering and power generation operations in the UK. The acquisitions came at a time when the UK had largely lost faith…

Crushed ore cone at Nolans processing plant. Image: Resolute Mining. Photography: Roslyn Budd. BY AMY BLOM DESPITE almost closing Ravenswood mine in 2016, Resolute Mining has now announced a 14-year mine life with staged plans to return to 5 million tonne per annum open cut mining. Along with Ravenswood, its operations in Africa and a dedication to increasing output through new technology, Resolute expects to grow annual production to 500,000 ounces by 2021. Innovation and experience was the key to successfully extending the life of the Ravenswood mine in QLD, according to Resolute Mining chief executive and managing director John Welborn. Just over two years ago, the Ravenswood gold operations were hanging in the balance, with the Mt Wright deposit expected to…

Image: the city of Dubbo. BY ELIZABETH FABRI AT the geographic heart of NSW lies the regional centre of Dubbo – the largest city in the Orana region with an impressive and growing economic profile. A new wave of mining projects is set to give the town a boost, with added jobs and flow-on benefits to local business. Dubbo businesses already supply goods and services to a number of mining operations around the region and the promise of new mines is set to increase opportunities. Dubbo mayor Ben Shields said mining was a growth industry in the region, with businesses expanding and taking advantage of the city’s strategic location and junction for road, rail and air freight services. “From heavy vehicle supplies and…

Northern Minerals aimed to be the first significant world producer of dysprosium outside of China. Image: Northern Minerals. BY AMY BLOM LESS than two months after achieving mechanic completion at its $56 million Browns Range Pilot Plant, Northern Minerals produced its first rare earth carbonate and followed it up with a plan to double production. The company is now on the hunt for more quality rare earth mineral deposits. Northern Minerals is speeding ahead with its flagship Browns Range project after producing its first final product in October, and announcing plans that could double output. The announcements were followed by news that Northern Minerals had entered into a $25 million subscription agreement with NRE Industrial Group on October 15. NRE is…

Caval Ridge is a high-quality, hard coking mine in the northern section of Bowen Basin. Image: BHP. BY AMY BLOM BMA Coal has posted record production at several of its mines as metallurgical coal continues to strengthen. With construction of its Caval Ridge Southern Circuit project steaming ahead, BMA is set to continue production growth into FY19. BMA Coal is set to accelerate growth and productivity with construction of its Caval Ridge Southern Circuit (CRSC) project on track to be completed by the end of the year. When complete, the $270 million project will result in an 11km overland conveyor system, which will transport coal from the Peak Downs mine to the coal handling preparation plan (CHPP) at the nearby…

Metro Mining had completed 17 shipments from its Bauxite Hills mine by September. Image: Metro Mining. BY AMY BLOM METRO Mining is continuing its successful ramp up of Bauxite Hills mine, bolstered by strong alumina prices and high Chinese demand.  Metro Mining is shaping up to finish the year on a strong note following a number of major successes coming out of its flagship Bauxite Hills mine in QLD. The miner began first production at Bauxite Hills in April, 10 months after construction commenced, with most construction taking place in just five months. First shipment left the Port of Skardon in early May. Then in August, Metro was named the leading emerging company at the 2018 Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum. At…

The final Cliffs iron ore shipment in June. BY ELIZABETH FABRI RECORD lithium exports coupled with an eleventh hour purchase of Cliff’s closing Koolyanobbing iron ore mine has put the Southern Ports Authority – particularly Esperance – in the spotlight through 2018. Moving into the new year, opportunities are expected to continue across its diversified commodity mix. Since the amalgamation of the ports of Albany, Bunbury and Esperance in 2014, it’s been full steam ahead for the Southern Ports Authority. In FY18 total exports came to 30.9mt as the ports continued to benefit from WA’s growing economy, with newcomers such as bauxite coming on board. Iron ore, mineral sands, and nickel have been key contributors to the ports for some…

BY: JESSICA CUMMINS  The number of Indigenous Australians working in the mining industry has more than doubled since the 1990s. The Australian Mining Review speaks with WA Aboriginal Affairs minister Ben Wyatt and PwC about the challenges and major developments that have shaped the sector. GOVERNMENT initiatives such as the Federal Indigenous Procurement Policy and the WA  Aboriginal Procurement Policy have played a key role in facilitating the prosperity of Indigenous businesses. Comprising three main parts, the Federal Procurement Policy ensures a target of three per cent of Commonwealth contracts were awarded to Indigenous businesses; ensures a mandatory was set aside for remote contracts and contracts valued between $80,000 and $200,000; and a minimum Indigenous participation requirement in contracts valued…

All images: Bounty Mining  BY: JESSICA CUMMINS In 2015, Bounty Mining found itself in voluntary administration; now the company has become a miner to watch, recently relisting on the ASX, with an expanded portfolio in central and far north QLD. SINCE completing the landmark acquisition of Cook Colliery and Minyango in late 2017,  metallurgical coal miner and developer Bounty Mining has gone from strength to strength. After a tough couple of years, on 15 June the miner was readmitted to the ASX, raising $18 million in an IPO at an issue price of $0.35 per share. The listing represented a turnaround for the company, and a shot in the arm for its projects in the development pipeline, including Cook North,…

Team members at Olympic Dam. Image: BHP BY AMY BLOM OLYMPIC Dam had mixed results in FY18 as a result of smelter issues as well as a planned rolling shutdown. However, production is back on track and BHP is pushing ahead with expansion projects and potentially game-changing innovations that could decrease costs while doubling production. Growth plans for BHP’s Olympic Dam were back on track following a slower than planned ramp-up after its major smelter upgrade earlier this year and ongoing technical issues. The major smelter maintenance upgrade was the largest planned shutdown ever undertaken in Olympic Dam’s 30 year history, running from August 2017 until February 2018. Other major upgrade work was carried out on the refinery, concentrator and…