Category: Features

All images: Aus Tin Mining  BY: JESSICA CUMMINS  Australia’s second tin focused producer, Aus Tin Mining, remains focused on the delivery of high-value metals critical to the energy revolution, with three near-term projects and expansions underway. AFTER resuming mining operations at the mothballed Granville project in 2016, the race has been on for Aus Tin to grow production. Following an expansive approvals process, the Company obtained the final green light in April 2018 to expand the operation. Once complete, this expansion will include the development of a tailings storage facility, the latest technology gravity equipment, and resumption of mining at the high-grade Granville East deposit via a cutback on the eastern wall. The expansion will also enable Aus Tin to…

The Carrapateena mine will enter production in 2019. Image: OZ Minerals. BY ELIZABETH FABRI THE South Australian resources sector has had a strong year. But dwindling exploration points to a far greater issue for the State, as it looks to ramp up production and continue the search for the next Olympic Dam-style deposit. More exploration is needed in South Australia: that is the message Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) chief executive Warren Pearce had for delegates at the recent South Australia Resources and Energy Investment conference (SAREIC) in Adelaide. “Greenfields mineral exploration, the heartbeat of mining, is flat lining in South Australia,” Mr Pearce said. “Nationally mineral exploration has been rebounding since 2016, but the numbers out of…

Image: Glencore. BY ELIZABETH FABRI HOW can mining companies better plan for mine rehabilitation and restoration? It’s the million dollar question that has prompted a Federal Government inquiry into the matter. Mine site rehabilitation practices across Australia are under more scrutiny than ever before. In February 2017, the Federal Government launched an inquiry into the rehabilitation of resources projects. Once published, it will put a spotlight on current policies, safeguards – and of course – ways the industry can collaborate to improve what has become a contentious issue. More than 90 submissions have been received to date from mining companies, industry groups, associations, and State and Territory Governments. Many were of the view that current practices were not sufficient, with…

Image: Jorunn Lorenzen. BY ELIZABETH FABRI THE regional centre of Emerald is back on its feet, with a fresh round of coal projects crying out for workers and creating economic impetus for the Central Highlands. New infrastructure investments are also cementing the town’s future as a long-term services hub. Japanese-owned Sojitz Corporation has been instrumental in Emerald’s revival as a mining services town. Sojitz, which has operated Minerva coal mine since 2010, began first production at its Meteor Downs project (jointly owned with U&D Mining) earlier this year, which required an additional 40 employees. Then in June Sojitz made the big announcement it would purchase BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) shuttered Gregory Crinum metallurgical coal mine for $100 million, with…

All images: Stanmore Coal. BY ELIZABETH FABRI THREE years; that’s all it took for Stanmore Coal to turn the two-year Isaac Plains mine into a 15-year mega project. Through strategic (and timely) acquisitions, Stanmore Coal now has a strong footprint in the Bowen Basin, and healthy cash flow as coal prices remain strong. Stanmore Coal’s purchase of the shuttered Isaac Plains mine several years ago was a watershed moment for the then-explorer. In 2015, the coal market was in the depths of a downturn. Prices were so bad many companies were looking for an out, but Stanmore Coal had other plans. In July 2015, the company entered a deal to pick up Peabody subsidiary Millennium Coal’s undeveloped Wotonga (Isaac Plains…

All images: BCI Minerals. BY ELIZABETH FABRI WA-based BCI Minerals – formerly BC Iron – has a new name, a new focus, and a suite of high-quality projects in the Pilbara that will be hitting key development milestones over the coming year. BCI Minerals managing director Alwyn Vorster sheds light on the miner’s recent diversification strategy beyond iron ore to salt and sulphate of potash (SOP). Q. The company changed its name last November. Was diversification the key driver of the rebrand? The decision to diversify beyond just iron ore was a very deliberate one. BC Iron had just emerged from a fight for survival due to operating a single, higher cost iron ore mine (Nullagine) at a time when…

All images: Mincor Resources. BY REUBEN ADAMS FORMER nickel mid-tier Mincor is back in the game, pouring first gold at its 71,700oz – and growing – Widgemooltha Gold Project in late July. The low-capex operation will help bankroll the rapid development of the miner’s world-class Kambalda nickel portfolio, with a major exploration push currently underway. The Australian Mining Review speaks with Mincor chief executive Peter Muccilli. Q. You’ve experienced nickel’s incredible highs and the subsequent, challenging lows as part of the Mincor team. How has this rollercoaster ride helped shape your approach as chief executive and the current Mincor strategy? The sharp falls in the Australian nickel price, which hit decade lows in March 2016, resulted in Mincor staging down…

All images: Gascoyne Resources. BY ELIZABETH FABRI THE lights turned on at Gascoyne Resources’ Dalgaranga project earlier this year; now, the miner’s focus is on achieving commercial production and continued exploration to extend mine life. It’s been two months since first gold was poured at Gascoyne Resources’ $100 million Dalgaranga project in the Murchinson region, WA. Bringing any new project into production is a milestone, but for Gascoyne Resources, this represented something bigger. First gold marked the beginning of the company’s transition from explorer to a producer among the ranks of ASX-listed gold miners. Gascoyne Resources managing director Mike Dunbar said to say that he was pleased “would be a massive understatement”. “The company has managed to put together a…

BY: JESSICA CUMMINS A transformational deal with Canadian miner New Gold expands Aurelia Metal’s footprint in the Cobar region and further diversifies the company’s portfolio. The Australian Mining Review speaks with managing director and chief executive Jim Simpson on his outlook for the remaining of the year. IN June Australian miner Aurelia Metals made a watershed deal with Toronto-listed miner New Gold to acquire its Peak Mines gold, copper and lead project. The tier 1 mining operation has averaged over 100,000oz of gold and 8.6 million pounds of copper production per year since commissioning in 1992. Aurelia Metals bought the mine and 750,000tpa processing plant in the Cobar region of central NSW, 75km north of its producing Hera mine, for…

All images: Whitehaven Coal  BY: JESSICA CUMMINS The largest high quality coal producer in the Gunnedah Basin, Whitehaven Coal, finds itself perfectly positioned to capitalise on rising demand from Asian markets. Against the backdrop of coal prices sitting at seven year highs, The Australian Mining Review speaks with chief executive Paul Flynn about Whitehaven’s outlook following its most important acquisition. FY17 results for Australian coal producers placed Whitehaven as one of the industry’s leaders, with a significant jump in net profit from $20.5 million to $405.4m year on year. Now, with met coal prices at seven year highs, Whitehaven remains on track for a record financial result in FY18. June Quarter ROM production of 5.9 million tonnes boosted Whitehaven’s FY18…