Category: Features

Australia is the world’s largest iron ore exporter and producer, exporting 892mt of the mineral in 2023, more than double the second largest of Brazil. China is the world’s largest iron ore importer, with the country importing nearly 1.12bt in 2023, or around 76% of the world’s supply for that year. Making up 5% of the Earth’s crust, iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be extracted. Iron ore is the primary source for the world’s iron and steel industries, with almost all (around 98%) of iron ore used in the steelmaking process. Used across a range of industries – from cars and construction products to refrigerators and surgical tools – steel is the world’s most…

Midstream processing in Australia In the third instalment of the Australian Mining Review’s critical minerals series, we speak with CSIRO senior principal research scientist Chris Vernon, ANSTO principal consultant Karin Soldenhoff and Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub manager Lucy O’Connor for a deep dive into emerging mid-stream processing pathways for rare earths (RE) needed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Rare earths are a critical input for electric vehicle (EV) and wind turbine supply chains, playing a foundational role in the global energy transition. As demand for renewable technology increases domestically and globally, the RE market is also expanding, with the previously overlooked materials becoming increasingly attractive. By investing in domestic mid-stream processing capabilities highlighted in Australia’s national science…

BHP’s (ASX: BHP) Caval Ridge is one of five metallurgical coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, about 188km south-west of Mackay, and is a 50:50 joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Development (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, or BMA). This year celebrates 10 years in operation. The greenfield project, which is the largest greenfield metallurgical coal-mining complex in Australia, covers an area of about 6,800ha and comprises two coal pits – Horse Pit and Heyford Pit. The former deposit lies north of Peak Downs Highway and the latter north of Harrow Creek. Caval Ridge is one of five mines operated by BMA in the Bowen Basin, with the other four being Goonyella Riverside, Broadmeadow, Peak Downs and Saraji. The mine processes coal…

With intensifying competition from global markets, Australia’s manufacturing industry is facing extreme pressure to remain competitive. Given Australia’s abundant and critical natural resources, the country is well positioned to strengthen its standing and become an indispensable part of the global supply chain. Over the next decade, the Federal Government will invest $22.7b to build a ‘Future Made in Australia’ to secure Australia’s place in the changing global economic and strategic landscape as well as bring new jobs and opportunities to the workforce. As part of this, a Future Made in Australia Act will be created to establish a National Interest Framework to guide the identification of priority industries. The Australian Mining Review speaks with Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) managing…

In the second instalment of the Australian Mining Review’s critical minerals series, we speak with Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub manager Lucy O’Connor, ANSTO high purity quartz project manager Neilesh Syna and ANSTO high purity quartz project technical lead Robert Fowles for a dive deep into emerging mid-stream processing pathways for silicon in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Deployment of solar power is essential to the success of Australia’s energy transition. The nation stands to be a leader in this space, as we are equipped with the vast solar resources needed to meet global demands. However, the country is entirely reliant on overseas supply chains to produce solar photovoltaic (PV) technology used for solar panels.…

Prospects were golden for Regis Resources (ASX: RRL) at the start of August. With the McPhillamys definitive feasibility study (DFS) completed and final investment decision (FID) expected to be made in early CY26, Regis Resources had seemingly checked all the boxes for the $1b mine. The NSW gold project was expected to be a valuable asset, featuring a 7mtpa plant with 189moz contained gold and 60.6mt milled, with an expected mine life of over 10 years. This vision was quickly extinguished on August 16, when the Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek made a declaration of protection over part of the approved McPhillamys gold project site. Minister Plibersek says her decision is not to stop the mine and that…

Contributed by mining optimisation and automation subject matter expert Jason Nitz A venture capital firm recently asked me to provide expert advice on an investment plan for mining technology. They’d chosen several areas where mining technology had recently improved a process or system and completed a market analysis on the leading companies within those areas. Their intent was to invest in a small to medium-sized company to inject capital to improve their product or services, and then sell the improved company and its product or service to a large corporation, OEM, or even miner. At the meeting we rated and ranked the various technologies they’d short-listed and then reviewed target companies currently operating in those technology pillars. At the end…

Playing an essential role in the mining, building and civil construction industries, shotcrete is a concrete or mortar mixture that is conveyed through a hose and pneumatically applied at high speed onto surfaces. Shotcrete is an exceptionally versatile material that can be easily and quickly applied to provide a cost-effective means of construction. Once applied, it forms a bond to a number of materials, including rock, masonry and steel. The integration of shotcrete in the mining industry has changed the way underground operations are carried out, offering enhanced safety, efficiency and adaptability to varying geological conditions. Its continuous evolution and adaption underscore its critical role in mining practices across Australia. The Australian Mining Review speaks with Australian Shotcrete Society committee…

The 2024 financial year was big for Ramelius Resources (ASX: RMS), with the company posting record annual gold production across its operations and beginning mining at its newly acquired Cue project in WA. Leading Australian mid-tier gold miner and ASX300-listed company Ramelius operates two processing hubs in WA, Mt Magnet in the Murchison region and Edna May near the town of Westonia in the Wheatbelt. These processing hubs are fed with ore from nearby mines — Penny, Eridanus and Mt Magnet — while the company also owns development projects at Cue near Mt Magnet and Rebecca-Roe which lies east of Kalgoorlie in WA. The Australian Mining Review speaks with Ramelius Resources managing director and chief executive Mark Zeptner about these…

With mining being Australia’s largest export industry — contributing $2.4t in resources export revenue over the past decade, as stated by the Minerals Council of Australia — it also accounts for a significant portion of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Reported by the Climate Change Authority, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled 467mt for the year ending June 30, 2023 — an increase of 4mt on the previous year. The combustion of fossil fuels is Australia’s largest source of emissions, accounting for 81% of the national greenhouse gas inventory in 2023. Australia, along with all countries that signed the Paris Agreement, has committed to the global goal of ‘holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above…

Australia’s work health and safety (WHS) landscape is defined by a regulatory framework designed to minimise workplace risks and enhance safety. Not only does this framework help reduce the frequency of workplace injuries, but it also plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of safety that reaches all levels of business operations. Despite the strength of these regulations, challenges still arise due to the evolving nature of work environments. The Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) is a crucial part of legislation in Australia’s commitment to workplace safety across various sectors. It was developed through extensive consultation with government entities, industry experts and the public to ensure effectiveness and practicality. The WHS Act is part of…