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Transitioning the world’s biggest companies to net zero A new $60m Biosustainability Hub at The University of Queensland will use synthetic biology to help the world’s biggest businesses transition to net zero. Funded by government, industry and UQ, the Biosustainability Hub aims to be a one-stop-shop for big companies to transform their production practices and create carbon neutral economically viable products and materials. UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) Biosustainability Hub director Professor Esteban Marcellin says the facility is the first of its kind in Australia and co-locates research groups and industry who share a vision to transition society to net...

Komatsu youth program showcases STEM skills for heavy industries Komatsu Australia has launched a program which will help develop young talent and showcase the diverse range of opportunities available in the mining and construction sectors around the country. The program targets school and university students and recent school leavers and will include initiatives like promoting STEM directly through schools, technical workshops and seminars tailored to students and educators, work experience and placements throughout Komatsu. Komatsu Australia general manager for people experience Zara Carey says the program will help prepare the next generation of industry leaders...

Expert panel established to guide green metals growth A new expert advisory panel has been established to advance green metals production in Australia. Members of the green metals advisory panel were joined by Federal Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic for the first time to promote and accelerate greener metals manufacturing. The panel offers decades of experience in metals industries, financing, research, decarbonisation and industrial workforce issues. Members comprise of: Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Farrow KPMG national managing partner Paul Howes Australian Aluminium Council chief executive Marghanita Johnson...

‘Electrification is part of our DNA’: Liebherr Liebherr-Australia and BHP (ASX: BHP) recently celebrated the commissioning of the first electric excavator to join the BHP fleet. The R 9400 E is a 400t class backhoe excavator is equipped with Liebherr’s cable reel — an autonomous cable management solution for Liebherr’s electric excavators that offers improved machine manoeuvrability and operator safety. Due to the dynamic and versatile nature of iron ore mining compared to traditional cable electric excavator applications, the added mobility offered by the cable reel will help maintain optimal productivity during operation. Liebherr-Australia sales and marketing executive general manager Brian Boitano says...

Federal Government gives approval for Australia’s largest renewable energy project In a step towards making Australia a renewable energy superpower, the Federal Government has approved a new industrial solar power project in the Northern Territory. SunCable’s Australia-Asia Power Link will be the biggest solar farm in the country and it’s expected to generate up to 6GW of renewable energy, including 4GW to be used in Darwin. The project will enable a green manufacturing sector, produce renewable solar power for Darwin and provide a long-term source of ongoing employment in remote areas. SunCable estimates the project will deliver more than $20b in economic value...

Northern Star Resources reports record earnings in FY24 Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) has reported record cash earnings of $1.8b for FY24, plus revenue of $4.92b. Other highlights include, underlying free cash flow of $462m, underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $2.19b and net profit after tax of $639m. The company recorded a 4% increase from FY23 to FY24 regarding gold sold, with just over 1.62boz sold in the year at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1853/oz. This record cash earnings enabled Northern Star to declare an unfranked final dividend of 25¢, for...

Whitehaven Coal to sell a 30% interest in Blackwater for $1.6b Four months after acquiring the Blackwater mine, Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) has entered two binding agreements to sell a 30% interest in it for $1.6b (US$1.06b). Nippon Steel Corporation will acquire a 20% interest while JFE Steel Corporation will acquire the other 10% with the transactions expected to be complete in Q1 2025, subject to customary competition and regulatory approvals. Nippon Steel executive vice president and representative director Takashi Hirose commented on the purchase. “Having a secure supply of high-quality...

BHP's first electric excavator operational at Yandi BHP (ASX: BHP) has taken another important step on its operational decarbonisation journey with the first electric excavator in its fleet now operational at the Yandi iron ore mine in the Pilbara, WA. Instead of a diesel engine, the R 9400 E Liebherr electric excavator has an electric motor, with power fed to the machine by a trailing cable. Equipped with Liebherr's autonomous cable reeler for...

Building Victoria’s clean economy workforce The Victoria Government has announced an almost $9m funding package to boost skills in environmental sustainability and the clean economy. The investment will support TAFEs, universities, training providers and industry to establish practical Skills Labs where innovative short courses called Skill Sets can be developed. The funding package announced includes $3.45m to establish three Clean Economy Skills Labs — hosted at TAFE Gippsland...