Category: Features

Northparkes Mine: The next chapter

CompaniesFeatures

Northparkes Mine: The next chapter

All images: Northparkes Mine BY: JESSICA CUMMINS After achieving record breaking results at its mine and ore processing plant last year, Northparkes copper-gold mine expects to see similar results this year as it continues to work towards a century of mining together. OPERATING for more than two decades, and with mine life now extended through to 2032, the Northparkes operation is well positioned to reach new heights in coming years. Previously owned by Rio Tinto, the project – which also comprises a farm – sits on 6000 hectares with a 1630ha mining lease. The joint venture between China Molybdenum and Sumitomo Group broke two production records in the underground mine (producing 6.46 million tonnes of...

AngloGold: Reaping the Benefits

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AngloGold: Reaping the Benefits

Tropicana mine. Image: IGO. BY REUBEN ADAMS AFTER five years in the top job AngloGold chief Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan is leaving for fresh pastures. But he is going out on a high, as the company’s value-building strategies begin bearing fruit in 2018. Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan, who will be succeeded by Barrick president Kelvin Dushnisky in September, used his last AngloGold earnings call in August to reflect on some tenure highlights. “As you know, this is my final presentation after around 72 quarters with this company, the last 22 as a CEO,” he said. “I thought I’d reflect on some of the work we have done over that time, to reposition this company, to not only survive the gold price storms...

OM Holdings: Back in business

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OM Holdings: Back in business

Bootu Creek is 110km north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. BY: JESSICA CUMMINS It’s been 18 months since OM Holdings’ Bootu Creek manganese mine reopened. Now, an $8.2 million Tailings Retreatment Plan is under development which is expected to produce an additional 250,000 tonnes of manganese over the next eight years. IN 2015, OM Holdings subsidiary OM Manganese’s Bootu mine was placed into the hands of administrators as global market conditions for manganese deteriorated. It was a tough time for the mine and surrounding Tennant Creek community; 140 jobs were lost when the mine was put into care and maintenance. But once mining activities resumed in February 2017, positive sentiment and jobs returned to the region....

Aus Tin: Production Focused

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Aus Tin: Production Focused

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...

South Australia: Bridging the Gap

FeaturesRegional Focus

South Australia: Bridging the Gap

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...

Mine Rehabilitation: Under the Microscope

FeaturesNewsTechnology & Innovation

Mine Rehabilitation: Under the Microscope

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...

Emerald: Gem of the Bowen

FeaturesRegional Focus

Emerald: Gem of the Bowen

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...

Stanmore Coal: A Big Deal

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Stanmore Coal: A Big Deal

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...

BCI Minerals: A new Direction

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BCI Minerals: A new Direction

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)...

In the Spotlight: AGC president Bill Shaw

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In the Spotlight: AGC president Bill Shaw

MORE than 2000 geoscientists will meet this October for the inaugural Australian Geoscience Council Convention in Adelaide. Elizabeth Fabri spoke with Australian Geoscience Council (AGC) president Dr Bill Shaw about the upcoming event, and how the industry can work together to “smooth out” the booms and busts in Australian mining. Q. AGC will soon launch its first Australian Geoscience Council Convention. What prompted you to start the event? The Australian Geoscience Council organised the very successful 34th International Geological Congress which was held in Brisbane in 2012. This event heralded the value and importance of getting as many geoscientists together as possible, to share our technical knowledge and work experiences. By having a large critical mass all engaging...

Mincor Resources: A Transformative Year

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Mincor Resources: A Transformative Year

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...