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The ‘Robotics & Automation in Mining’ conference ran over the 12th and 13th of October at Joondalup Resort in Perth. Speakers gave presentations on how automation in the resources sector will innovate practices and keep Australia a world leader in mining, while reducing harm and waste. The conference opened with a welcome to country from Shaun Nannup and addresses from WA’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Johnston and conference chairperson, Dave Stevenson. The City of Joondalup was the proud official host of the event, with James Pearson the chief executive of the city delivering an address. The city recently announced that it is a significant step closer to its Urban Robotics and Automation Precinct, which will further its position...

GOLD peaked to a near seven-year high of US$1579.72 after the US launched a deadly attack against Iranian military leader Major General Qassem Soleimani. The destabilising effect on the international market was swift, and was the latest in a string of contributing factors that has continued to drive investors to gold as a safe-haven metal to protect against market downturn. The price spike has come after a momentary lapse in gold’s momentum in Q4 2019, surging to its highest price since April 2013. The assassination of General Soleimani has escalated international fears that tensions between Washington and Tehran could spill over into a new war in the Middle East. The targeted attack was given the go-ahead by US president Donald...

Better communication key to attracting Gen Z to mining industry A national survey of Generation Z, 15 to 24-year-olds, has found almost three quarters (72%), believe mining is important to a net zero emissions future. However, land rehabilitation and workplace culture top the list of their concerns (a tie at 77%), followed by renewable energy use (69%) and reducing or recycling mining waste and pollution (67%). The Gen Z Perceptions of Mining report, developed by AUSMASA in...

WA has led the nation in resource sales, netting $167.3b for the 2019 calendar year. The state's Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) said sales rose by 28pc from 2018 ($130.3b), mainly from iron and gold production. The DMIRS said high iron ore prices in the first half of 2019, following global supply shortages, were the main contributor, with $97.7b of the product sold last year, accounting for 76pc of overall mineral sales in WA. Not far behind were gold sales, with the volume being the highest the state has shipped in more than two decades, with $13.8b worth of the metal sold last year, also thanks to record gold prices of more than $2000/oz average. Industry confidence...