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By Courtney Pearson August 13, 2015 HUNDREDS of people gathered in Newcastle in late July to show support for mining in the Hunter Valley. The rally coincided with a visit by NSW Planning minister Rob Stokes, who was there to discuss proposed changes to the planning system. The NSW Planning and Environment Department is undergoing a process to change mining regulation is NSW, which could put jobs at risk. Proposed amendments to the Mining State Environmental Planning Policy would require decision-makers to consider the likely environmental, social and economic impacts of a mining development, which could affect the future of a number of developments. The new guidelines would include independent audit guidelines; web-based reporting guidelines; annual review guidelines; water regulation…

By Jane Goldsmith August 13, 2015 MINING bodies have blasted Labor’s “xenophobic” attitude, after it declared a $160 billion pending China-Australia free trade agreement (FTA) would threaten Australia’s “safeguards for jobs”. The implementation of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), which would see tariffs removed on almost all Australian resources and energy products, is forecast to bring about $1.3 billion per annum into Australia’s exports industry. Within the coal sector, coking coal tariffs would be removed from day one, while thermal coal tariff would be phased out across two years. ChAFTA, which was signed in Canberra on 17 June 2015, is due to come into effect in 2016 after segregated domestic legal and parliamentary processes in both countries have been…

By Courtney Pearson August 13, 2015 IN a show of solidarity, Australian gold producers will launch a new Gold Industry Group (GIG) to represent the domestic industry. The group, introduced at the Diggers and Dealers Forum in Kalgoorlie, would champion gold issues, education and community initiatives and promote gold as an investment. The GIG was founded by companies including Gold Road Resources, Doray Minerals, Ramelius Resources and Norton Goldfields. Less than half of Australian mines are owned by overseas companies following a rise in mergers and acquisitions which saw the emergence of locally-based, mid-tier gold producers. Mining consultancy Surbiton Associates told the Diggers and Dealers forum that, while Australian gold output is still controlled by major international companies, the economic…

Thursday, July 16 2015 By Jane Goldsmith IRON ore analysts are forecasting at least another year of hardship and ‘bottoming’ prices for Australia’s iron ore miners, as finance, mines and petroleum minister Bill Marmion moves to reassure the industry of the government’s ongoing support. Speaking at the opening of the collaborative CSIRO-AusIMM conference Iron Ore 2015, Mr Marmion called for a calm, co-operative approach to price volatility, after a torrid week on international commodity markets. “We are behind you 110 per cent,” he said. “In the face of international volatility, now more than ever is the time for a calm and measured approach and working side-by-side for the long-term benefit of all.” The global iron ore market has suffered across…