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Decarbonising shipping in the Pilbara with clean ammonia The potential for using clean ammonia to refuel ships, especially iron ore carriers visiting the Pilbara region of WA, is one step closer with key results from a groundbreaking feasibility study showing that safe ammonia bunkering is both economically and operationally viable. Results also show the demand for ammonia as a fuel to decarbonise the international iron ore trade could reach a volume of 1-1.5mt in 2035. The study, commissioned by Yara Clean Ammonia (Yara) and Pilbara Ports, was undertaken by Lloyds Register, and looked at key areas including the estimated demand and likely availability of...

Queensland’s largest ever trade mission to China China is Queensland’s largest goods export market, valued at $23.7b in the 12 months to September 2023, and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will next week lead the largest ever trade mission in the State’s history to China to showcase the best that Queensland has to offer the world. The five-day mission to Shanghai and Beijing follows visits from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, WA Premier Roger Cook and Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas. It will include more than 100 delegates from the education, business, agriculture, trade and tourism sectors. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says this comes at a pivotal time in Australia’s history with China. “Trade restrictions are easing,...

Woodside moves to next stage of carbon for conservation process Woodside Energy’s (ASX:WDS) revegetation proposal has been invited to stage three of the WA State Government’s carbon for conservation proposal process. This proposal involves the planting of native species is specified areas within the Gnangara-Moore River State Forest and Karda Block in the Midwest of WA. Planting would include native species appropriate for the Carnaby’s black cockatoo with the expectation this will bring biodiversity and carbon sequestration benefits to the area. This proposed project builds on Woodside’s new environment and biodiversity policy, highlighting the company’s increased focus on environmental and biodiversity management and outcomes moving...

DMIRS reveals name change The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will be renamed the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) on December 1, 2023. Approved by WA’s Energy Minister Bill Johnston, the new name better reflects the importance of WA’s energy portfolio and critical role it will play in WA’s decarbonisation ambitions. This renaming doesn’t affect DEMIRS’ other regulatory functions and it will continue to support a safe, fair and responsible community, industry, energy and resources sector. Mr Johnston commented on the name change. “The new Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety identity better reflects the WA State Government’s commitment to a cleaner, greener...

Mapping Australia’s renewable energy, green hydrogen, iron and steel potential The Federal Government has included green hydrogen, iron and steel in its free award-winning Economic Fairways Mapper that helps to rapidly identify economic potential for resources projects. Developed as part of the Exploring for the Future program, the Mapper identifies potential investment hurdles, technical challenges and knowledge gaps, regional availability of renewable energy and how its performance influences iron and steelmaking costs across Australia. By analysing large volumes of renewable energy data to model the costs of steel production and how these vary spatially, the Mapper can provide valuable insight into the economics of building a green steel industry in different regions of Australia. Federal Resources and Northern Australia Minister...

BHP improving Pilbara air quality one seedling at a time Three years after partnering with Curtin University and Greening Australia to trial the use of vegetation barries to capture dust, more than 150,000 seedlings have been planted. As part of BHP’s Pilbara air quality program, seedlings were planted to capture dust in Port Hedland with all plants local native Pilbara species that perform best for dust capture. The planting profile was specifically designed maximise dust capture with the vegetation barrier covering 7ha. BHP port general manager Cindy Dunham says as the plants grow and develop, they will create a dust barrier between the company’s operations and the community. “It’s been...

Liebherr launches R 930 Tunnel crawler excavator to world market Liebherr has expanded its tunnel range with the launch of the R 930 Tunnel crawler excavator. Developed at Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar (France), the R 930 Tunnel replaces the R 924 Compact Tunnel and allows high-level performance in all types of underground applications. The R 930 Tunnel was designed to meet the demands of underground construction sites which often present tight spaces with difficult access. The attachment, which is available in two lengths, features a bearing that can swivel to 2 x 45° angles while the LED headlights considerably reduce the risk of collision with...

Sandvik and SSAB sign letter of intent for fossil-free steel Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions and steelmaker SSAB have signed a letter of intent to purchase fossil-free steel in the production of Sandvik loaders and trucks for the mining industry. The letter of intent ensures that Sandvik will receive deliveries of fossil-free steel from SSAB within the company’s production capacity. Sandvik can also apply for early fossil-free sample deliveries of, for example, a prototype frame, loader bucket or truck box to be used in a demo or concept product. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions president of business Mats...

Two high grade gold clusters identified at Windanya Two distinct clusters of exceptionally high-grade gold have been identified within Dundas Minerals’ (ASX:DUN) Windanya gold project in WA. Between 478 parts per billion (ppm) and 696ppb gold was identified with most of the anomalous gold values located in the Aquarius anomaly and the Scorpio prospect. At the Aquarius anomaly, seven sampling lines were completed with a peak of 696ppb gold encountered. Other results include 493ppb gold, 483ppb gold and 478ppb gold. Based on these results, Dundas has defined Aquarius as a compelling gold exploration target which has had no record of historical drilling. While five air-core holes and one reverse circulation hole were drilled in...

Schaeffler’s OPTIME Ecosystem providing an easy-to-use lubrication monitoring solution When you talk with as many mining or service and support companies as we do, you hear numerous times that while they enjoy bringing new technologies, they don’t enjoy some of the issues they face in adapting that technology to their daily operations. That is certainly not the case with Schaeffler Australia’s state-of-the-art OPTIME Ecosystem. As the company’s Industrial Services Manager Mark Ciechanowicz explained to Australian Mining Review recently, the OPTIME system was designed to be integrated into a client’s operations as easily as possible. Mr Ciechanowicz said the system is particularly special in the sense that straight out of the box it is very easy to use. “It is really...

Wabtec-Roy Hill partner for the first FLXdrive battery locomotive Wabtec and leading iron ore miner Roy Hill, majority-owned by Hancock Prospecting, have debuted the world’s first 100% battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive for mainline service. Unveiled as the FLXdrive battery locomotive, at a ceremony at Wabtec’s design and development centre in Pennsylvania, USA, the pink livery symbolises Roy Hill’s commitment to assisting research and those suffering from breast cancer. Wabtec president and chief executive Rafael Santana commented on the unveiling. “This FLXdrive locomotive represents a major step in the journey to a low-to-zero-emission future in the rail industry,” he said. “The FLXdrive is driven from within by our battery technology...