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(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) A drone taking flight within the study area.

Bravus Mining and Resources takes groundwater monitoring to new heights at the Carmichael mine

Bravus Mining and Resources takes groundwater monitoring to new heights at the Carmichael mine Bravus Mining and Resources' high-tech approach to groundwater research near the Carmichael mine in central Queensland has earned national recognition in a prestigious industry award. The regional Queensland business has been named a finalist in the Excellence in Environmental Management and Sustainability category at the 2024 Australian Mining Prospect Awards for applying military-grade drone technology to discover and protect previously unknown groundwater springs. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the company has partnered with Eco Logical Australia to add multispectral and thermal imaging to...

Komatsu says that while the company is global, its heart remains in the local regions it serves.

Komatsu Australia named Finalist in the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards

Komatsu Australia named Finalist in the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards Komatsu Australia has been named as a finalist for the ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award 2024 as part of the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards. This award highlights businesses that have made strategic investments in Brisbane, Queensland, contributing to the city’s future growth and development. The nomination reflects Komatsu Australia’s strong and ongoing commitment to the Brisbane region, which has been an integral part of its story since 1978. Komatsu says its continued investment reinforces its belief in Brisbane as a key hub for economic activity and customer support...

South32 (ASX: S32) owns 86% of Worsley Alumina, an integrated bauxite mining and alumina refining operation in the southwest of WA.

Current risks to Australia’s $18b per year aluminium industry

Current risks to Australia’s $18b per year aluminium industry Australia’s aluminium industry is calling for competitive energy and designated critical minerals status to access global capital and overcome excessive red tape. The closure of a single bauxite mine in WA that employs 600 people can lead to the loss of 10,000 indirect jobs and a $2.7b reduction to GDP, according to latest modelling by the Australian Aluminium Council (AAC). In the Council’s report, Economic Contribution of the Vertically Integrated Australian Aluminium Industry, research has found that the nation’s vertically-integrated aluminium industry contributes $18b a year...

(Image source: Jamie Kidston/ANU) ANU research fellow Michael Anenburg.

Extinct volcanoes a ‘rich’ source of rare earth elements

Extinct volcanoes a ‘rich’ source of rare earth elements Iron-rich magma entombed inside extinct volcanoes is likely abundant with rare earth elements, offering a new way to source these in-demand metals, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Rare earth elements are vital to the development of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines. They are also found in smartphones, flat screen TVs, magnets and even trains and missiles. With more countries investing heavily in renewable energy technologies, the demand for rare earth elements continues to skyrocket, with demand for these elements expected...

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) Members of the E2M research team downloading data from one of the 10 bioacoustics recorders installed on the Carmichael mining lease and conservation area.

Queensland research maps movements and behaviours of black-throated finch

Queensland research maps movements and behaviours of black-throated finch Queensland researchers have mapped the habitat and movements of the black-throated finch in a never-before-seen level of detail, as part of Bravus Mining and Resources commitment to managing the environment. The findings are the latest from a five-year joint research program between Bravus Mining and Resources and researchers from ecology consultancy E2M and have been published in the peer-reviewed and highly respected international scientific journal PLOS One. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says...

(Image Source: Rio Tinto — Photo: Argyle Diamonds Pty) The 2024 Rio Tinto Argyle Tender Art Series Collection.

Rio Tinto diamonds shine bright at art collection premiere

Rio Tinto diamonds shine bright at art collection premiere Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has launched its 2024 Beyond Rare™ Tender, the second in its Art Series offering, showcasing 48 lots of extraordinarily rare masterpieces of nature from its diamonds business. Titled Colour Awakened, this collection is headlined by seven “Old Masters”, notable historic diamonds from Rio Tinto’s WA Argyle diamond mine that operated from 1983 to 2020. The Old Masters comprise seven round brilliant cut, pink and red diamonds, ranging in size from 0.60ct to 2.6ct. Speaking at the London launch, Rio Tinto Minerals chief executive Sinead Kaufman...

(Image source: Rio Tinto) Operating since 1982, Boyne Smelters is Australia’s second largest aluminium smelter.

Rio Tinto acquires Mitsubishi’s 11.65% stake in the Boyne aluminium smelter

Rio Tinto acquires Mitsubishi’s 11.65% stake in the Boyne aluminium smelter Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has completed its acquisition of Mitsubishi Corporation’s 11.65% interest in Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL). BSL owns and operates the Boyne Island aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Queensland. The operation includes manufacturing carbon anodes, aluminium production via smelting and casting of molten metal into aluminium products ready to ship. Following completion of the transaction, Rio Tinto’s interest in BSL is now 71.04%. Rio Tinto looks forward to continuing to work with its BSL joint venture partners and other stakeholders on securing a competitive low-carbon future for its Gladstone...

The Energy Innovation Fund has invested $38.2m across four projects under Round 2, which will create up to 200 construction jobs, 20 ongoing jobs and unlock more than $160m of commercial investment, according to the Victoria Government.

Terang big battery to boost jobs and strengthen the grid

Terang big battery to boost jobs and strengthen the grid Victoria Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio visited the site of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures’ Terang Battery Energy Storage System, essential to storing Victoria’s renewable energy. The project includes a 100MWh/200MWh battery and grid forming inverter, which was made possible through a $7m investment as part of Round 2 of the Energy Innovation Fund. The project will include 38 inverters and 48 battery containers and create up to 150 jobs...

The facility is part of the $140m Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, co-funded by the WA and Federal Governments.

Pilbara Clean Energy Training and Research Institute progresses to design

Pilbara Clean Energy Training and Research Institute progresses to design Aurecon Australasia will design the Clean Energy Training and Research Institute (CETRI) under the WA Government’s $140m push to establish the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub. The $22m facility will be a multi-user training hub and research institute that incorporates different training providers and research site locations across industry and tertiary and vocational training settings. The design process will occur over the next eight months, during which extensive consultations will occur with key stakeholders. This will include industry, the training and research sector and community groups, including Aboriginal organisations in the...

Lumsden Point will facilitate the export of battery metals, the import of renewable energy infrastructure and support the growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara.

Dredging work begins at Lumsden Point

Dredging work begins at Lumsden Point Dredging has begun at Lumsden Point in the Port of Port Hedland, with around 1m cubic metres of material to be removed over the next eight weeks. The dredging will create a deeper access channel, swing basin and berth pockets to ensure the safe and efficient berthing of vessels at the new Lumsden Point facility. Earlier this year, Jan De Nul was awarded the contract for this work, with extensive preparatory works already completed and the JFJ De Nul cutter suction dredge arriving in Port...

Applications for the 2024 Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Scholarships are assessed against key priorities that include sustainable post-mining land uses and addressing long-term water management.

Scholarships for Queensland coal mine rehabilitation research

Scholarships for Queensland coal mine rehabilitation research The Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust is offering more than $200,000 in post-graduate scholarships to students at any Queensland university. Two scholarships are up for grabs and offer $40,000 a year over three years to students doing their post-graduate studies in world-leading environmental management. The Trust was established in 2007 by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Queensland Government and industry representatives. QRC chief executive Janette Hewson says the scholarships are a practical way to continue Queensland’s leading expertise in mined land rehabilitation. “Queensland has an international...