FeaturedNews 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…
FeaturedNews Bowen Rail Company leads the RACE with tech innovation Bowen Rail Company’s (BRC) RACE Live will be showcased as an example of excellence in innovation at the 2024 Australasian Rail Industry Awards. RACE Live was developed in partnership with Brisbane-based software developer Polymathian to improve safety and productivity when railing coal from the Queensland Carmichael mine to port for export. BRC general manager Brendan Lane says RACE Live’s shortlisting as a finalist in the Freight Rail Excellence category at the rail industry’s national awards reflects the company’s commitment to continuous innovation and improvement. “Our aim since establishing our business in Bowen in North Queensland in 2020 has been to do things a little differently to advance the safety, environmental and economic standards of the rail industry,” he said. “We’ve…
Industry FocusNews Fortescue advances WA’s largest solar farmFortescue (ASX: FMG) has commenced construction at its largest solar development at the 440MW Solomon Airport solar farm in the Pilbara. Anticipated to be completed during 2028, the project is set to become the largest solar development in WA, with about 671,000 solar panels to be installed during the build and will supply about a third of Fortescue’s solar capacity required to achieve its net zero goals. Fortescue metals and operations chief executive Dino Otranto says across the Pilbara, Fortescue is using the region’s sun and wind to generate green power for our sites. “We’re building the solar and wind farms, connecting them through our high-voltage transmission network and backing them with battery storage to provide 24/7 firm power,” he said. “Importantly, each successive solar project is being delivered more efficiently than the last. As technology improves and we gain scale, our installed capital intensity continues to come down — strengthening the economics of replacing diesel and gas with renewable energy.” A proposed 644MW solar farm at Turner River is also anticipated to commence construction later this year. Together with the existing 100MW North Star Junction solar farm, the Solomon, Cloudbreak and Turner River projects will deliver about 1.3GW of solar capacity — equivalent to powering about half a million Australian homes each year. Construction is also underway at Fortescue’s 133MW Nullagine wind farm. Through Pilbara Energy Connect, Fortescue has already constructed more than 480km of high-voltage transmission lines across the Pilbara. Once complete, the network will extend to more than 620km, physically linking Fortescue’s energy assets to its operations and rail network.
FeaturedNews North Queensland exports power Queensland’s prosperity A new report has highlighted the multi-billion-dollar contribution the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) north of Bowen in North Queensland makes to local, state and national economies. North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) commissioned the study to examine the economic and social impact of three Queensland east coast ports it is port authority for — Hay Point, Mackay and Abbot Point. The North Queensland Export Terminal is located within the Port of Abbot Point. The study found activity at the Port of Abbot Point contributed almost $10b to the Queensland economy each year and supported more than 8000 jobs across the mining, construction, transport and wholesale trade industries. NQXT general manager Mark Smith said the report was further evidence of the…
HeadlineNews Oversubscribed placement signals “slight” easing of capital markets Exploration at Tyranna Resources’ Jumbuck gold project in South Australia is supported by an oversubscribed share placement. By Reuben Adams TYRANNA Resources will raise $800,000 before costs through a massively oversubscribed share placement as exploration at its Jumbuck gold project in South Australia continues to build momentum. These funds will be used for advancing exploration at four prospects within Jumbuck in the northern Gawler Craton – Campfire Bore, Golf Bore, Golf Bore North, and Mainwood – which are the focus of Tyranna’s current 6200m reverse circulation drilling program. This program encompasses wholly owned Tyranna tenements and tenements which form part of a 59:41 joint venture with Challenger Gold Operations (an equal ownership JV between WPG Resources and Pybar Mining Group), operator…
NewsUncategorized Nickel miner posts half-year profit jump, raises production guidance IN a dramatic turnaround from its $96.2 million loss in the second half of 2013, Australian nickel miner Western Areas has posted a 29 per cent rise in first half-year profit to $2.7 million. Western Areas managing director Dan Lougher said it was satisfying to be one of the few nickel mining companies in the world to return a profit. “The standout financial measure for the half was the $19.2 million in free cash flow we generated, which was a $24.2 million turnaround from the previous half,” he said. In light of continued strong project performance, Western Areas has upgraded its production guidance for 2014, while simultaneously predicting a slight drop in production costs. The company’s original forecast of between…
News Resources and energy export values expected to ease Over the next two years, the value of Australia’s resources and energy exports is forecast to ease from the 2022-2023 record high as commodity prices return to more normal levels. According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ September edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly, an easing in resources and energy export values to $400b in 2023-2024 and $352b in 2024-2025 is forecast as world demand softens and global supply stabilises. Further, iron ore export earnings are expected to fall to $120b in 2023-2024, LNG earnings are forecast to drop to $71b this year, lithium exports are forecast to decrease to $18b this year and earnings from metallurgical coal are expected to decline to $47b in 2023-2024. This…
News Australian aluminium organisations integrate for bigger voice The Australian Aluminium Council (AAC) will integrate with the Australian Aluminium Extrusion Association (AAEA) in a move that will bring about a united voice for the Australian aluminium industry. The AAEA will join in the AAC’s membership and organisational structure with the Council’s chief executive Marghanita Johnson commenting on this. “The Council represents the industry from mine to market – and now with an even stronger focus on the downstream aluminium manufacturing sector in Australia,” she said. “With a cohesive representation, the Council will continue its direct engagement with the Government and platforms like the International Trade Remedies Forum to advocate in the face of uneven global competition.” One of the challenges facing the Australian aluminium industry is the…
