The Australian Mining Review December 2025 Edition

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) A drone taking flight within the study area.

Bravus Mining and Resources takes groundwater monitoring to new heights at the Carmichael mine

Bravus Mining and Resources’ high-tech approach to groundwater research near the Carmichael mine in central Queensland has earned national recognition in a prestigious industry award. The regional Queensland business has been named a finalist in the Excellence in Environmental Management and Sustainability category at the 2024 Australian Mining Prospect Awards for applying military-grade drone technology to discover and protect previously unknown groundwater springs. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the company has partnered with Eco Logical Australia to add multispectral and thermal imaging to its comprehensive scientific programs that help to safeguard the health of the Great Artesian Basin-fed Doongmabulla springs. “Carmichael has some of the strictest environmental conditions of any resources project in Australia’s history,”…

Bravus upcycles mine tech for seriously ill children

Bravus upcycles mine tech for seriously ill children

Bravus Mining and Resources is upcycling tech from retired trucks and diggers from its central Queensland Carmichael coal mine to help regional Queensland families doing it tough. Bravus head of production and site senior executive Glen Corfield said that more than fifty state-of-the-art tablets no longer needed for mining operations have been upcycled to support the work of Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia and the Salvation Army. The initiative is a collaboration between Bravus and Haultrux, a mining technology and change management business. Haultrux removed the tablets, reconditioned them and preloaded a variety of apps, from Minecraft to Messenger, in readiness for their use. “We’re proud to operate in regional Queensland and are passionate about backing the organisations and…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden in front of his haul truck ride.

Digging coal is the goal for Cowboys co-captain

Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden has shown he’d have no trouble swapping footy boots for steel caps in the distant future when he’s ready to transition to a life after rugby league. The superstar five-eighth looked right at home behind the wheel of a massive Caterpillar 796AC haul truck during a trip to the Carmichael mine to shoot the new “Digging Coal, Kicking Goals” campaign that celebrates the Platinum Partnership between Bravus Mining and Resources and the Cowboys. Mr Dearden says the visit, including a lap of mining operations sitting in the haul truck’s trainer’s seat, gave him an even greater appreciation of what the partnership between the Townsville-headquartered business and National Rugby League club meant to regional Queenslanders. “My dad…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) Workers undertaking scheduled electrical systems maintenance on the bypass circuit of the Carmichael mine’s CHPP.

Rock your work-life balance as more jobs become available at Carmichael mine

Bravus Mining and Resources and major contracting partner DRA Global are seeking to add skilled operators, technical trades and maintenance crew to the team that keeps the Carmichael mine’s Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) running smoothly. DRA Global senior vice president – APAC East Michael Carretta says the business was recruiting about 20 new site-based roles to support the operation and maintenance of the multi-million-dollar facility that processes the raw coal, sort it into grades and stockpile it for loading onto trains. “At DRA, we’re proud of our contribution to the Carmichael mine, which began over five years ago with design, construction and commissioning of the CHPP and Train Load Out. Today, our team provides high-value operations and maintenance…

Success leads to growth for specialist equipment supplier

Success leads to growth for specialist equipment supplier

FOUNDED in Brisbane in 1986 by Harold Kerr, Precisionscreen (PS) specialises in the manufacture and distribution of screening, crushing and washing equipment. During its time in operation, PS has grown from a small family business with just two employees to a company that now employs more than 60 people and has offices in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA. The company is an Australian dealer for Sandvik Mobile Crushers and Screens, including its range of jaw crushers, impact crushers, cone crushers and mobile screens. The Sandvik UJ640 tracked jaw crusher combines high levels of automation, mobility and flexibility of operation, for rapid return on investment and high quality material production. Purpose-designed for the global aggregates industry, this ‘giant of the crushing…

Blue diamond sale a brilliant prospect

Blue diamond sale a brilliant prospect

THE world’s largest brilliant cut blue diamond is expected to fetch US$19 million when it goes to auction in Hong Kong on 7 October. Named Premier Blue, the gemstone weighed in at 7.59 carats, and was the only one of its kind on record, graded as internally flawless by the Gemological Institute of America. The button-sized carbon structure would be auctioned by New York-based auction house Sotheby’s, as a part of the company’s 40th anniversary sales in Asia. The size, clear blue colouring, and round cut finish all reportedly contributed to Premier Blue’s value and aesthetic appeal. The pigmentation in blue coloured diamonds is due to the presence of boron atoms; the higher the boron concentration, the deeper the colour.…

Campaign to reveal flipside of FIFO

Campaign to reveal flipside of FIFO

A resources industry support group has launched a fly in, fly out (FIFO) awareness campaign to show the benefits of the work arrangement, following recent high-profile criticism of its effects on employee health. Women in Mining WA unveiled The Other Side Of FIFO on 11 July, with the aim to dispel negative media reports and social perception by presenting the positive experiences of FIFO work for both women and men. Women in Mining WA founder Sabina Shugg stated that a recent, widely reported parliamentary inquiry maintained a basis in propaganda rather than fact, with an intention to “provide more incentive for FIFO workers to become residential workers.” “The tone of the report is summarised in its provocative title: Cancer of…

Queens Beach State School teacher Bec Trask (back left) with Bowen Rail Company’s Lienca Nell (back right) and students with a haul from their kitchen garden.

Bravus blooms little green thumbs in Bowen community

The Bowen Rail Company (BRC) is supporting the Queensland region’s littlest green thumbs through a grant to the Queens Beach State School kitchen garden program. The Bowen state school was one of four recipients of the latest round of funding from BRC’s Community Partnership Program, designed to assist not-for-profit organisations and community groups with the purchase of small assets that can make a big difference. Queens Beach is part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and teacher Bec Trask says the children learn about food through hands-on gardening, harvesting, and cooking. “Thanks to the grant we’ve been able to expand the garden and have a bigger variety of fruit and vegetables for the kids to cook with,’’ she said.…