Screening solutions for Australian mining

Volunteers keep WA trail in top shape  A team from Alcoa Australia’s (ASX: AAI) Willowdale bauxite mine recently lent a hand to refresh a section of the iconic Munda Biddi Trail in WA. Stretching more than 1060km from Mundaring to Albany, the Munda Biddi is a world-class long-distance off-road cycling trail.  Senior community relations advisor Scott Hansen says Alcoa Australia has proudly supported the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation (MBTF) for 25 years through funding and employee volunteering. “Alcoa has a long-running partnership with the foundation, a not-for-profit association which supports the maintenance and promotion of the trail,” he said. Recently, employees rolled up their sleeves to clean up a section of the trail near the northern part of Alcoa Australia’s Willowdale Larego mine area. Their efforts included branch trimming, raking and blower vaccing to ensure the trail remains safe and accessible for riders. “Our employees are proud to help maintain this popular trail,” Mr Hansen said.“It’s a great way to give back to the community and keep the trail safe and functional for cyclists.” Alcoa Australia’s involvement with the trail dates back to its planning in 2000, when the company worked with the foundation to determine a safe, practical and enjoyable route and provide on-the-ground help to make the trail a reality.Since then, Alcoa Australia has continued to consider the trail through mine planning processes, including the recent expansion of a Mining Avoidance Zone (MAZ) around Dwellingup. The expanded MAZ is adjacent to several designated conservation areas and includes recreational tracks and trails, including sections of the Munda Biddi Trail, Bibbulmun Track and Nyingarn Bidi Loop. If future mine planning indicates any interactions with the trail, Mr Hansen says Alcoa consults with the MBTF and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to discuss options that ensure access is not restricted.Past consultation has resulted in Alcoa Australia building dedicated infrastructure such as tunnels and bridges to provide safe, continuous access for riders through operating mine regions. “Our overarching principle is to maintain continuous access for trail users and we want to ensure this world-class trail remains available for generations to come,” Mr Hansen said.MBTF executive officer Therese Logue says the trail’s ongoing success is founded on strong collaboration across both community and corporate sectors, including a longstanding 25-year partnership with Alcoa Australia. “The continued support of Alcoa extends beyond industry operations, with staff actively contributing their time and skills,” she said. “Their hands-on involvement builds a sense of stewardship, directly helping to preserve this iconic trail. “Through partnerships like these, the trail will continue to flourish, and the provision of vital resources help the foundation empower its volunteers to enhance and maintain a high-quality trail experience for all riders.”  

Metso achieves certification ahead of schedule Metso has achieved the internationally recognised ISO 27001 certification for its information security management system (ISMS), marking a significant milestone in the company’s cybersecurity capabilities.The certification was awarded to Metso IT ahead of the original Q2 CY2026 target, demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to protecting information assets and meeting rising customer and regulatory expectations.ISO 27001 provides a globally accepted framework for managing information security risks and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. By meeting the standard, Metso confirms that its security processes and controls are systematically designed, implemented and continuously improved to meet international best practices.Metso IT risk and compliance director Janne Mennala says achieving this certification signals credibility and discipline, but it is only the beginning of a continuous improvement journey.“With our ISMS now aligned with ISO 27001, our security practices are more transparent and easier to demonstrate to partners and customers,” he said.The certification covers Metso IT’s global functions and strengthens the basis for further security development within the company’s business segments.Throughout the certification process, Metso worked in close partnership with Cyberismo, a Finnish cybersecurity company and long-standing expert partner. Their support has been instrumental in ensuring that Metso’s ISMS aligns with industry best practices and future requirements.“We are truly proud of what we have achieved together. The success confirmed that we have been moving in the right direction for much longer than this project alone,” said Mr Mennala.

Bravus Mining and Resources will be cheering up a storm when the Rockhampton Cyclones and Rockets take to Bravus Arena on Saturday (13 April) for the start of the 2024 NBL1 North Season. The owner and operator of the Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland has been a Major Partner of Rockhampton Basketball since 2018. Bravus Mining and Resources head of community Kate Campbell says a ticket to round one against the Townsville Flames and Heat is hot property in the business’ Victoria Parade office. Rockhampton and Townsville are the primary FIFO hubs for the more than 1,200 regional Queenslanders who work at the Carmichael mine. Residents who live in Clermont and the Isaac Region also drive-in and drive-out…

WA Government supports renewables growth Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) are collaborating with Perdaman and the WA Government to establish a 50MW solar farm at the Ngarluma green energy park on NAC's native title determination south of Karratha.The WA Government will provide $2.7m in initial support to NAC to undertake surveys, approvals works and technical activities over the next 12 months that will lead to the activation of the first park.The Burrup (Murujuga) corridor is one of four priority corridors under the WA Government's Pilbara energy transition plan to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy industry in the region by connecting industry with renewable energy generation.Ngarluma Country includes the coastal towns Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson and out to Whim Creek and is home of much of the Pilbara's industry including Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Dampier Salt, Woodside, Yara and Perdaman.NAC is targeting 5GW of development in its green energy parks while also creating employment, training and long-term income for the Ngarluma people.WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says creating jobs through the Pilbara energy transition plan is a key part to making WA a renewable energy powerhouse."Supporting NAC and Perdaman in this landmark partnership is another step in decarbonising the Pilbara and realising the considerable benefits of the region's renewable energy resources,” she said.The solar farm will feed into the common-use Maitland-Karratha-Burrup transmission corridor and aid the activation of the Maitland strategic industrial area.NAC and Ngarluma green energy director Belinda Churnside says the Ngarluma people are proud to be leaders in the development of the energy transition.“Ngarluma green energy parks will be a game changer for the fast and straight forward development of large-scale renewable projects,” she said.The green energy park is expected to be activated through the connection of the solar farm to Perdaman's project Ceres urea plant by mid-end of 2027.Drive to make WA renewable energy powerhouse continues with Warradarge wind farm expansion, with four of 30 additional turbines being erected at the site.Once completed, the expanded Warradarge wind farm will provide up to 283MW of clean energy — enough to power approximately about households — making it WA's largest wind farm both by capacity and energy generated.The expansion is part of the WA Government’s goal to exit from state-owned coal-fired power by 2030."Wind turbines going up as part of the expansion is our renewable energy transformation taking shape, delivering jobs, economic diversification and clean energy,” Minister Sanderson said." will deliver more renewable energy for households and businesses, while work to expand the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) transmission grid will unlock more renewable energy from the mid-west."