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Newmont acquires Newcrest Newmont Corporation has acquired Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) to create the world’s leading gold company. This expansion of Newmont’s portfolio will include operations with scale, margin and mine life to generate robust and lasting returns for decades while supporting best-in-class sustainability performance.   Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer says this marks a historic milestone for the company. “Today marks a historic milestone in our company and the industry with the successful completion of this transformational acquisition of Newcrest by Newmont,” he said. “Our attention now turns to safely, efficiently and responsibly integrating Newcrest’s assets and people into Newmont’s proven operating model,...

Safeguarding your most valuable assets with the BLH stop DropTM barricading system Working at heights presents many unexpected dangers. A dropped object, no matter its size, weight, or the height it falls from, can be disastrous and negatively impact productivity, operational costs, and the lives of site personnel. Mines, oil and gas platforms, refineries, power generation and petrochemical plants, civil infrastructure projects, and food processing facilities, demand quality, reliable, and engineered systems that protect workers day-in day-out. Although many different types of dropped object prevention systems exist, only one patented system has proven itself for over a decade. Invented by BLH Safety Solutions founder Shane Gill, Stop DropTM Barricading is the original dropped object prevention solution used by the world’s...

Improving ESG reporting in drilling and exploration Technology that safeguards Aboriginal heritage and environmental sites will be installed in a fleet of drilling rigs at a large exploration drilling company. Kalgoorlie-based Topdrill’s wholly-owned subsidiary JBC Contracting will roll out GeoMoby’s Protect technology to 30 drilling rigs across its Australian operations. The technology uses location services including GPS, fusion sensors and patented live tracking algorithms to geofence sites and trigger an alert if users enter or come within close proximity of a heritage site. This also works in remote areas with no connectivity. GeoMoby director Mathieu Paul says the company is delighted to be collaborating with one of Australia’s largest and most professional drilling contractors. “We look forward to working together...

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...