Archived News for Industry Professionals

Mining royalties have continued to strengthen Western Australia’s economy, with the government sector recording a $1.1 billion surplus for the first half of the financial year.

The operating surplus of $1.1 billion for the first six months of 2010/11 is a significant turnaround from the $259 million operating deficit for the first half of 2009/10.

Treasurer Christian Porter said the WA Quarterly Financial Results report showed the state reaped nearly $12.3 billion worth of revenue for the first half of 2010/11.

Commodities boom gathers pace

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) is predicting a positive outlook for the global steel industry in 2010-11, which will drive iron ore and metallurgical coal exports up to $35.1 billion and $30.5 billion respectively.

Great South Land Minerals takes Tasmanian Government to court

Great South Land Minerals is taking the Tasmanian Government to court for withdrawing its exploration leases in the Central Highlands.

New head of ANSTO appointed

Esteemed academic Professor Paul Greenfield AO has been appointed to head the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) board.

Minemakers signs agreement with traditional land owners for phosphate mine

Traditional land holders in Tennant Creek have signed an agreement to mine Australia’s largest phosphate deposit.

Coroner releases mining fatigue report

A central Queensland coroner has made 24 recommendations to address fatigue on roads and in the mining industry.

Minerals Council calls for economic reform agenda

The mining boom is highlighting capacity constraints and masking underlying structural weaknesses in Australia’s economy, according to the Minerals Council of Australia’s Pre-Budget submission to the Federal Government.

Carbon price mechanism plan announced

The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has outlined the Government’s carbon price mechanism, which it plans to establish mid next year.

Draft strategy on national freight network released

The Federal Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese, has released a draft strategy on developing a national freight network to integrate road, rail, ports and airports.

Federal Government approves Australia Pacific LNG Project

Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, has approved, with strict environmental conditions, the Australia Pacific LNG project at Gladstone proposed by Origin Energy and ConocoPhillips.

Report finds safety and health improvements in Queensland’s mining industry

The Queensland Government has released its annual Queensland Mines and Quarries Safety Performance and Health Report, which shows improvements across most key measures of safety and health during 2009–10.

Location changes approved for Caval Ridge mine accommodation villages

The Queensland Government’s Coordinator-General (CG) has approved changes to the size and location of accommodation villages servicing the $4 billion Caval Ridge Mine project.

Queensland CSG industry watchdog operational

Queensland’s new LNG Enforcement Unit, established by the Queensland Government to monitor the emerging CSG-LNG industry, is up and running, headed by Andrew Brier.

NSW Coal and Gas Strategy under development

The NSW Government has released a scoping paper seeking input from the public and key stakeholder groups to guide the preparation of a NSW Coal and Gas Strategy.

Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics to be established

The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET) has announce the decision to create a new professionally independent unit, to be known as the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).

Rio Tinto Gove leases renewed

The Northern Territory Government has renewed leases held by Rio Tinto Alcan on the Gove Peninsula, extending most leases for a further 42 years..

Ferguson supports uranium exports to India

The Labor Party needs to modernise its policy and allow uranium to be exported to India, federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says.

WA plea for boom-time jobs

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has held a meeting with the leaders of the state’s resources industry to try to convince them to award more work to local manufacturers and contractors.

SA funds mining industry training

The South Australian Government is providing $3.6 million over the next four years to boost training in the State’s mining industry.

Noetic releases report into PPTEP oil spill incident

The Australian government has put Thai company PTTEP Australasia on notice for 18 months, but allowed to keep its offshore oil and gas exploration and production licences in Australia following receipt of an independent review of the company’s action plan following the Montara oil spill incident in the Timor Sea in 2009.