The value of experience

(Image source: Bravus) (L-R) Bowen Rail Company (BRC) general manager Brendan Lane, Don River Dash secretary Wanita Sparr, and BRC rollingstock maintainer Trent Williams at BRC’s rail provisioning yard north of Bowen’s Don River.

Bowen Rail Company revs up as naming rights sponsor of Bowen’s Don River Dash

Bowen Rail Company is revving up as the new naming rights sponsor of the Whitsunday’s favourite event, the 2024 Don River Dash off-road race. The Don River Dash 300 is a two-day off-road race that sees motorbikes, buggies and trophy trucks tackle a rugged “desert style” course through the dry riverbed of Bowen’s famous Don River. The event injects more than $4m into the local economy as thousands of competitors and motorsport enthusiasts from across Australia descend on Bowen and the Whitsundays each September. Bowen Rail Company general manager Brendan Lane said the company was delighted to partner with an event that showcased Bowen and the Whitsundays to the world. “This is the sixth year of the Don River Dash…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) The Clermont Wombat Festival is one of more than 100 regional Queensland organisations Bravus Mining and Resources has supported through the auspices of its community partnership program.

Bravus’ coal-out for community grant applications

Bravus Mining and Resources is calling on community groups and not-for-profits across regional Queensland to apply for the latest round of grants from the company’s 2025 community partnership program. Bravus Mining and Resources Head of Community Kate Campbell says the community partnership program is a fundamental part of the business and its Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland. “We’re proud to operate in regional Queensland and always seek to back our local communities and the things that are important to the 1,200 workers at our Carmichael mine,” she said. “Our community partnership program and the local charities and activities it funds is one of the ways we add to community vibrancy, on top of the economic value of the…

Abbot Point gearing up for cyclone season.

Abbot Point Operations storming ahead with wet weather preparations

Abbot Point Operations (APO) has kicked-off Bowen’s biggest severe weather prep plan to ensure the multi-billion-dollar North Queensland Export Terminal is ready for the cyclone season ahead. APO general manager Damien Dederer said the business activated its Severe Weather Committee each October to review and test the coal export terminal’s systems, people processes and infrastructure, which includes some of the largest manmade structures in the Whitsundays. Six 40m tall stacker-reclaimers and a trestle jetty that stretches 2.75km offshore to a wharf supporting two shiploaders are among the plant and equipment used to export about 35mt of thermal and metallurgical coal from Bowen and Galilee basin mines each year. “The wet season is part and parcel of living in North Queensland…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) (L-R) WRC Mayor Ry Collins and BRC general manage Brendan Lane at the official opening of the Collinsville pump track.

Collinsville kids ride high at Bowen Rail Company-funded ‘pump’ bike track

There were plenty of thrills and a couple of spills as Bowen Rail Company and Collinsville residents celebrated the official opening of the Queensland town’s eagerly anticipated $300,000 ‘pump’ bike track. Located in Darcy Munro Park, the Collinsville pump track is designed for skateboarders, bike and scooter riders to make their way over a series of rollers, jumps and berms by generating momentum through up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing. Bowen Rail Company fully-funded the $300,000 cost for the first stage of the circuit as part of a 2019 Infrastructure Access Agreement signed with Whitsunday Regional Council for the construction of the Carmichael Rail Network. The Carmichael Rail Network entered operation in 2022 and connects the…

The MRIWA seeks to sponsor studies into areas that stimulate and amplify activities of high value to WA.

Mining scholarships now open

The Minerals Research Institute of WA’s (MRIWA) 2026 scholarships are now open to WA students undertaking postgraduate minerals research. These will be awarded to four exceptional WA students to support research endeavours into current gaps or innovations in mining that will directly benefit WA, help students to access and collaborate with the mining industry and continue the development of the minerals research workforce in WA. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the WA Government is committed to supporting the growth and the diversity of the state’s research workforce. “MRIWA scholarships provide a unique opportunity for researchers to connect with industry, academia and government,” he said. “Successful applicants will join the current 22 MRIWA PhD scholarship recipients in this…

Northern Star doubles profit

Northern Star doubles profit

Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) reports a record-breaking FY25 marked by high gold prices, steady production and the acquisition of De Grey Mining’s (ASX: DEG) Hemi development project. FY25 has seen several miners report record-breaking years, thanks largely to similarly remarkable gold prices. Gold has surged multiple times throughout the year, thanks in part to global uncertainty around aggressive tariffs driving investment into the industry. Northern Star has reported $6.4b in revenue, up 30% from FY24’s $4.9b, as well as an underlying net profit of over $1.4b after tax, which has more than doubled from last year. The miner has also reported a record group underlying free cash flow of $536m, with shareholders seeing fully franked dividends of 30c/share. Whilst…

Evolution mining doubles profit

Evolution Mining doubles profit

Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) has seen record high profit in FY25, driven by increased production alongside favourable commodity prices. The miner has reported a statutory net profit of $926m, up by 119% from FY24. Evolution Mining managing director and chief executive Lawrie Conway says the record financial performance was achieved through safely delivering to plan across all of its operations. “Our cost and production performance in the year saw our balance sheet continue to strengthen, with gearing levels falling while successfully delivering several major capital projects,” he said. “We have also been able to increase returns to shareholders with a record final dividend of 13 cents per share. “Evolution remains focused on continuing to generate high cash margins in FY26…

Fuel tax rebates exceed cost of transition to renewables

Fuel tax rebates exceed cost of transition to renewables

More than $57b in fuel tax rebates have been banked by Australia’s mining companies since FY07 and according to a new analysis, this will exceed $84b by 2030. According to the Climate Energy Finance (CEF) analysis, the Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) has cost taxpayers $122.7b in total, and its primary beneficiaries include mining, agriculture and transport, with mining receiving nearly half of the total sum. BHP (ASX: BHP) was FY24’s largest FTC beneficiary, garnering a $627m rebate. Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) received $416m, and Glencore received $364m. CEF recommends a substantial reform of the existing scheme, capping Australia’s FTC at $50mpa per company with credits exceeding the cap retained only if reinvested into phasing out diesel. An analysis by Fortescue…