Archived News for Industry Professionals

An African uranium mine owned by Australia’s Paladin Energy has stopped work for 22 hours due to strike action from its employees.

The Western Australian government has granted Alcoa  a five-year extension to expand its Wagerup Alumina Refinery.

The expansion of the existing refinery to a maximum production capacity of 4.7 million tonnes per annum was approved in September 2006.  However, implementation has not substantially commenced due in part to the impact of the global financial crisis.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion asked the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to review Alcoa’s application to extend the time limit.

“The EPA recommended that as the environmental factors of the proposal had not significantly changed and no new factors had emerged since the initial approval, the time limit be extended a further five years,” Mr Marmion said.

Mr Marmion said prior to construction, Alcoa would still require a Works Approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

“Further public consultation will be undertaken by the DEC as part of the assessment process prior to a Works Approval and an amended licence being issued,” he said.

Under regulation 17 of the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, the EPA also recommended the Minister approve a variation of the allowable level of noise emissions from the refinery for a two-year period in which Alcoa must use its ‘best endeavours’ to purchase the remaining noise-affected properties.

“This approval sets noise limits at several residential locations surrounding the refinery and is based on Alcoa’s commitment to not increase its noise emissions if the expansion proceeds,” Mr Marmion said.

The potential closure of Caltex's Kurnell refinery would be a body blow to the NSW economy, and would leave Australian motorists exposed to future petrol prices, says the Australian Worker’s Union.

Mining giant BHP Billiton has announced it intends to continue the consolidation of its Stainless Steel Materials and Aluminum Customer Sector Groups (CSGs) into a single CSG to be named Aluminum and Nickel.

Eureka Energy has appointed former BP executive, Robert Willes, as the company's new CEO. 

The NSW Minerals Council has announced its annual awards for innovation safety in the mining industry.

Xstrata Zinc has announced moves to accelerate the production of its Lady Lorrtta underground mine and further extend the life of the Handlebar Hill open cut operation in Queensland, which is expected to result in a net increase in annual zinc production of 5 per cent, or 25,000 tonnes.

Leighton Contractors has been awarded a three-year contract worth $604 million for the provision of mining services at the Peak Downs Mine in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

The NSW Minerals Council has released a research report undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Monash University which claims that NSW will lose billions of dollars in mining revenue and thousands of jobs if the current draft Strategic Regional Land Use Policy goes ahead.

Twelve new offshore petroleum exploration permits have been awarded in waters off Western Australia and Victoria, and will see $303 million in new investment over the next three years.

The Queensland Government has called for community input on the role and membership of the new GasFields Commission.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Government was establishing the GasFields Commission to better manage the coexistence between landholders, regional communities and the coal seam gas industry in Queensland.

“Industry and community groups and members of the public have a real opportunity to provide input into who should be represented on the Commission and what powers it should consider,” Mr Seeney said.

Mr Seeney appointed Mr John Cotter as Chairman last month and submissions from the public can be made directly to the Chairman.

He said the Commission would be based in Toowoomba with a statewide focus.

“The Commission will be formed as a statutory body under legislation to make sure we get the right balance in place between landholders, local governments and the industry itself,” Mr Seeney said.

“It will give local communities a more direct voice into government and ensure programs and services match the priorities in those areas affected by CSG operations.

“A number of skills-based commissioners will be appointed to advise and assist the Commission in carrying out its work with government, industry and communities affected.

Global miner Rio Tinto and The University of Western Australia have signed a multi-million dollar partnership that will focus on creating a sustainable supply of graduates and expertise for the mining industry. 

The New South Wales Senate’s General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5 has published a report into the environmental, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) mining in NSW, delivering 35 recommendations for Government action.

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) marked the start of underground construction works on the Ranger 3 Deeps exploration decline at Ranger mine.

ERA has engaged Macmahon Holdings Limited to construct the 2.2 km decline to a depth of ~400 metres.

ERA will invest an estimated $120 million in the Ranger 3 Deeps Exploration Decline Project to conduct close spaced underground exploration drilling to further define the Ranger 3 Deeps ore body, and to explore areas adjacent to the resource. The mine lies within the boundaries of Kakadu National Park.

In addition to the Ranger 3 Deeps exploration decline Project, ERA is conducting an extensive surface drilling programme on prospective and under explored areas of the Ranger Project Area over the period of 2012 to 2014 at an estimated cost of $40 million.

Chief Executive Rob Atkinson said that "the construction of the exploration decline marked the start of a challenging and exciting transition for the company."

The Australian Government and a contingent of Australian mining companies have identified over $45 million in future business opportunities throughout Latin America.

The South Australian Government has announced that mining of mineral sands is set to resume at Mindarie in South Australia’s Murray Mallee.

Woodside’s $14.9 billion Pluto Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project has produced its first LNG.

Australian gold producer reed Resources has secured a debt financing facility of up to $23 million for the working capital requirements of the Meekatharra Gold Project Joint Venture in Western Australia.

Construction of the $110 million offshore gas Marine Supply Base has begun in the Northern Territory.

A research paper published by the NSW Minerals Council has found that addressing growing mental illness issues is a crucial priority for the sector.