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NSW launches Future Jobs and Investment Authority The NSW Government is partnering with coal-producing regions across the state to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority. While coal will remain an important regional employer and economic driver for decades, global demand is forecast to decrease in coming decades. Under current planning approvals, by 2040 all four of NSW’s coal-fired power stations, and 32 of the state’s 39 coal mines will close. The authority will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions — the Hunter, Central...

CSIRO launches advanced exploration software This week CSIRO has released a new online tool, LandScape+, to accelerate mineral discovery across Australia. The tool is designed to help geologists interpret their geochemical data and plan follow-up exploration programs to target new resources across a range of commodities including gold, lithium and copper. Mineral exploration in Australia faces many unique challenges due to site remoteness and access difficulty. Much of the land is also covered by a thick layer of loose soil, sand and broken-down rock — making it difficult to...

Metso bring mega mill liners to WA Metso is installing a mega-class press at its Canning Vale production facility, expanding it rubber and Poly-Met wear parts production capability in Australia. The press is specifically designed to produce large Megaliner mill liners, anticipated to be operational in Q4 this year, and will position Metso as the only mill liner manufacturer in the country. The installation of the mega-class press will significantly enhance the company’s manufacturing flexibility with the ability to produce very large liners — up to 4.5m by 3.2m coverage — with weight limits defined...

Komatsu opens $9.9m fulfilment centre Komatsu Australia have officially opened a new 12,500m2 fulfillment centre in Tarneit, Victoria that is powered by the fastest order fulfilment system in the market. Leveraging AutoStore — a high-speed order fulfilment system — operated by autonomous robots that move atop an aluminium cubic grid, the centre ensures a more efficient and streamlined experience for customers ordering Komatsu parts and machinery. With swift and reliable support for customers across Victoria, South Australia and southern NSW, the new facility enables next-day delivery to all regional branches. The facility has...

Coal’s opportunity to power energy transition Abandoned coal mines could host more than 52GW of solar in Queensland and more than 14GW in NSW according to a Global Energy Monitor (GEM) study. The study assessed decommissioned and soon to be closed surface coal mines across the globe and their potential to be given a second life as a solar farm, identifying the global capacity to host more than 300GW of solar. Four major coal producers were identified as having the greatest opportunity for coal to solar transitions, including Indonesia, the US and India with Australia at the...

Yancoal funds hospital equipment upgrade Yancoal Australia (ASX: YAL) has donated $37,000 to Singleton District Hospital in NSW to provide patients with new fall prevention hospital beds. The joint donation, from Yancoal’s Mount Thorley Warkworth and Ashton Coal mines located in the Hunter Valley region, enabled the purchase of three new beds for general ward use at the hospital. The new beds offer flexibility for a wide range of patient circumstances, are ergonomic for the healthcare providers, offer increased safety and enable patients to rest in comfort while rehabilitating. Yancoal Mount Thorley Warkworth general manager Cris Shadbolt says the team is proud to...

New Acland’s multi-million-dollar machine New Hope Group (ASX: NHG) has commissioned a new $6.6m Caterpillar 993 loader at its New Acland Coal mine in southeast Queensland. The 135t loader’s durable design makes it perfectly equipped to handle the rugged terrain and harsh conditions faced on site. New Acland Coal general manager Dave O’Dwyer says Hastings Deering Toowoomba sourced and built the earthmoving machine. “The Caterpillar 993 loader weighs more than 135t is 16.5m long and has a bucket capacity of 17.5m2, which is equivalent to the size of a car,” he said. The arrival of the...

Federal Government backs Butcherbird The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will invest up to $50m for Element 25’s (ASX: E25) Butcherbird manganese project in the Pilbara region of WA. This will support Element 25’s plans to expand Butcherbird’s production capacity to 1.1mtpa of manganese oxide concentrate. Butcherbird’s expansion will enable it to supply manganese concentrate feedstock for Element 25’s planned battery grade, high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) processing facility which it plans to build in Louisiana, US, as well as securing concentrate sales to other customers. NAIF’s support for the expansion follows Element 25’s awarding of a...

Alcoa spotlights environmental research Alcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) hosted more than 120 delegates from 33 organisations across the country at its Environmental Research Symposium last week. Attendees heard about 19 innovative research projects presented by Alcoa, collaborative partners and others from across industry, government and academia. Hosted by Alcoa’s Forest Research Centre and supported by Murdoch’s Harry Butler Institute, the event included insights across fauna, flora, rehabilitation practices, water, and the importance of embracing Traditional Owner knowledge and practices to develop a legitimate two-way science approach to forest management. In addition to insights into fauna behaviour, attendees witnessed presentations covering the secrets...

Looking to the stars for new resources Most investors build their portfolios through traditional, but a new investment horizon has emerged that extends beyond Earth's atmosphere. The space economy represents a potential opportunity for forward-thinking investors willing to explore unconventional markets, but questions remain about how best to participate in this sector. The space industry continues its rapid expansion, with estimates suggesting it could grow from about $765b (US$500b) in 2022, to a multi-trillion dollar industry by 2040. While current growth focuses on communications, Earth observation and navigation, experts forecast significant expansion into cislunar (between the Earth...

Roadmap launched for WA maritime decarbonisation Pilbara Ports has released its Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub strategic roadmap in a move to decarbonise international shipping. The hub would enable the use of alternative marine fuels, such as ammonia and support the resource and maritime sectors energy transition in line with the WA Government’s 2050 emissions targets. The region is uniquely positioned to become a global clean fuel hub due to its high shipping volumes, proximity to emerging ammonia producers and short transit distances to major Asian...