The state government of Western Australia (WA) has helped turn the first sod on Fortescue Metals’ new 1.7 billion Australian (1.19 billion U.S.) dollar mine and rail project on Friday, with the development set to deliver a bonanza of much-needed jobs to the remote Pilbara region. Expected to produce over 30 million tons of haematite […]
Nicole McNess
Melissa Price Approved Uranium Mine Knowing it Could Lead to Extinction of 12 Species
The former environment minister Melissa Price acknowledged that approval of a uranium mine in Western Australia could lead to the extinction of up to 12 native species but went ahead with the decision anyway. The admission is contained in a statement of reasons signed by the minister before she approved the Yeelirrie uranium mine, 500km north of Kalgoorlie, […]
Iluka Waste Pit Yields Rare Earths
Mineral sands giant Iluka Resources is quietly plotting a low-key entry into the rare earths market after winning permission from the West Australian government to export a concentrate carrying rare earth ore from its mothballed Eneabba mine. Source: The Australian, 02 July 2019
Fenner Dunlop Reflects on a Decade of State of the Art Mining Conveyor Belts
In July 2009, Fenner Dunlop opened a A$70 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kwinana, Western Australia, specifically built for the production of steel cord belting. It represented the largest investment in conveyor belting manufacturer ever made in Australia by any company. In 2013 another A$20 million was invested to install a second press line increasing […]
BHP Settles $250m Royalty Dispute with WA Government
BHP will pay the state government $250 million after settling the barney over underpaid royalties. The government had disputed a deduction applied to shipments of iron ore dug up in WA which had been applied since 2004. As a result of the deduction, the state government started negotiations more than two years ago to claw […]
WA Companies Leading Charge in Kalahari Copper Belt
There is something quite interesting going on in Africa at the moment, with a flurry of corporate activity this week centred around the lucrative but as yet relatively underexplored Kalahari copper belt that straddles Botswana and Namibia in the south of Africa – and Western Australian companies are leading the corporate charge. Copper miner Sandfire […]
Soaring Iron Ore and Gold Prices Boost WA’s Economic Outlook
A predicted “mini gold rush” in Western Australia, combined with skyrocketing iron ore prices, is renewing optimism about the state’s long-subdued economy. The price of gold in Australian dollars has reached a record high, hitting $2,000 an ounce for the first time last week. The precious metal also broke through $US1,400 ($2,014) an ounce for the […]
Scott Morrison Pledges to Cut Red Tape for New Mines
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pushed regulators to improve approval timeframes and reduce regulatory costs instead of ‘making things worse’. “This in a region where iron ore mining has been taking place for decades and is relatively low risk,” Morrison, in a speech at the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said. “Take […]
Wind, Solar and Battery to Power WA Mine
Second-hand wind turbines, solar and a battery will combine to power a remote mine in Western Australia, in a claimed first-of-its kind project supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The deal will see ARENA providing $3 million in funding to Port Gregory Wind Farm to build grid-connected wind, solar and lithium-ion battery project in […]
Chalice Moves to Exploit WA Nickel Discoveries
Chalice Gold Mines is set to secure a significant nickel sulphide exploration opportunity in the west Kimberley region of Western Australia after acquiring North West Nickel. The target acquisition is a private nickel explorer that holds a portfolio of exploration projects, including the Ruins project, which is adjacent to the nickel sulphide discoveries recently reported […]