Tag: COVID-19

ONE of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by washing our hands often with soap and water, or if that is not an option, by using hand sanitiser. And because right now everyone is being extra vigilant about keeping our hands squeaky-clean, hand sanitiser is in short supply. To help, Rio Tinto teams around the world are doing everything from donating it to making their own. Here are three reasons why: When it makes its own, it leaves more for others. Six of Rio’s sites in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States have already made around 7000 litres. By making its own, the company can make sure it has enough to keep its employees’…

LATEST export figures have confirmed the resilience of some of Australia’s key resources exports as the COVID-19 pandemic grips the world. Total resources and energy exports increased by nearly 34pc in March compared to the previous month. Resources Minister Keith Pitt said exports were also up by 2c in the first quarter over the same period last year, and were valued at $68.9b. “Iron ore remains the star performer of the sector following a 36pc monthly increase during March worth $8.9b for the month, a 47pc increase on last year,” he said. “While coal exports increased in March by 15.3pc, it is down by a similar amount on last year, which is an indication of some of the challenges the…

THE WA resources sector will provide half a million dollars to fund a COVID-19 population study which will undertake wide-scale asymptomatic testing of FIFO workers. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) and its members have been working with the WA Government on the DETECT (Defining and Monitoring the Prevalence of SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) in the Community) program, which is focusing on testing targeted cohorts such as students, teachers, health care workers and police. Chief Executive Paul Everingham said CME had established a COVID-19 Resources Research Fund to financially support the FIFO DETECT project, which members had contributed more than $500,000 towards. “The resources sector is one of the state’s largest employers, employing about 120,000 people, and…

FORTESCUE Metals Group has recorded record shipments in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Reflecting strong operating performance and resilient demand, the miner’s latest Quarterly Report showed record third quarter iron ore shipments of 42.3mt, 10pc higher than Q3 FY19, and year-to-date shipments at a record 130.9mt. C1 costs of US$13.27/wet metric tonne (wmt) were 2pc lower than Q3 FY19 costs of US$13.51/wmt, while robust demand for Fortescue products delivered average revenue of US$73/dry metric tonne (dmt). Based on the strong operating performance year-to-date, guidance for FY20 shipments has been upgraded to 175-177mt. Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said the strong operating performance in the March quarter underpinned an upgrade to its full year guidance for shipments. “Fortescue is…

THE Australian resources sector is acting to reassure communities that it’s taking strict and comprehensive measures to protect workers, families and mining communities from COVID-19. A national TV and digital campaign featuring the resources workforce is being launched this week to show how the industry is taking action to implement the resource sector’s COVID-19 national protocol. The campaign shows resource sector workers from across Australia demonstrating a range of anti-COVID protection measures including physical distancing during travel and at site, increased hygiene and cleaning, temperature testing, changes to shift start times and working arrangements. These measures are being implemented as the resources sector across Australia continues safe operations – supporting jobs and economic stability and providing royalties to fund hospitals,…

THE Australian Government is continuing to work with State and Territory Ministers and the resources sector to ensure critical projects keep operating during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources Minister Keith Pitt said his state cpounterparts met by teleconference again last night to discuss the shared goal of ensuring this vital sector keeps operating. “The Australian resources sector is a key part of the Australian economy,” Mr Pitt said. “The commodities Australia mines keep the lights on here, they supply the essentials for major businesses like smelters and refineries, and our exports will be critical in keeping international economies going as they too deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. “The resources sector has developed a set of health and safety…

RESOURCES Minister Keith Pitt has welcomed the long term commitment by some of Australia’s largest mining and upstream petroleum companies to major resources projects, despite the major economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I understand the extremely difficult situation facing companies and workers across the economy including in the resources and energy sector,” he said. “Any project delays are deeply regrettable and any people losing their jobs in the short term is something the Government is working hard to avoid and minimise – be that direct employees or the numerous contractors and sub-contractors that work in this sector. “We simply can’t afford to lose the skills and knowledge that these workers bring to the country. “The next few months…

A BREAKTHROUGH in Australian-made integrated hardware and digital technology can now be used as a tool for the remote management of onsite workforce COVID-19 transmission risk in real-time. The digital enablement of the units, named Bat Booths, manufactured by Mideco and developed by Pulse Mining Systems, will not only assist mining and quarrying operations to keep rolling during the pandemic, but also help to protect frontline workers from dust-related respiratory illnesses and other on-going work-related health threats. Bat Booth was originally marketed as a simple but effective device for reducing the risk to workers from dust-related respiratory illnesses such as CWP (black lung disease) and silicosis. The strategic alliance between Mideco and Pulse led to the development of real-time business…