Archived News for Industry Professionals
The Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has approved Inpex's Ichthys Browse Basin project, including a gas field facility, pipeline and processing facility, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, subject to environmental conditions
Inpex Browse proposes to develop the Ichthys Gas Field in the Browse Basin off the North West Shelf of Australia to produce liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and condensate.
The proposal includes offshore processing in the Browse Basin, an 850-935 kilometre pipeline from the gas field to Darwin Harbour and an onshore processing facility at Blaydin Point, Darwin.
Innovative coal to diesel plan announced
Petroleum and minerals explorer, Central Petroleum Ltd, and Allied Resource Partners (ARP) have announced agreement to undertake a feasibility study on a $7.5 billion plan to convert coal deposits in the Pedirka Basin in Central Australia to diesel by gasification.
Jupiter begins feasibility study on $1.6B Mount Ida Magnetite Project
Jupiter Mines has commenced a feasibility study on its A$1.6 billion Mount Ida Magnetite Project in the Central Yilgarn region of Western Australia.
Rio Tinto buys Riversdale, appoints new chief
Australian mining Giant Rio Tinto has completed its $4 billion acquisition of Riversdale Mining after the compulsory acquisition of the remaining Riversdale shares was announced. The purchase of Riversdale Mining will significantly expand Rio's operations in Mozambique.
Shenhua continues NSW coal land grab
The Australian has revealed that Chinese mining giant Shenhua has been buying coal rich land throughout New South Wales in an attempt to shore up its coal base in Australia.
Mining giants enjoy cash rich balance sheets
Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are looking to generate up to $20 billion each in free cash flow according to Merril Lynch analysts.
BHP alumina project experiences $1.2 billion blowout
Mining giant BHP Billiton has suffered another cost blowout after it was announced its Worsley alumina project has experienced a $1.2 billion blowout and nine month delay.
300,000 workers needed in resource states
Queensland and Western Australia are set to experience a massive demand in skilled labour over the coming years, with 300,000 workers required to continue economic growth.
Oakajee port in strife
Western Australia’s Oakajee iron ore port and rail project has taken another serious blow after one of the two main developers announced it was struggling to raise the required funding for the site’s construction.
Report into future energy security released
Geoscience Australia has released its Toward Future Energy Discovery, detailing the outcomes and achievements of the Australian Government’s five-year, $134 million Energy Security Initiative.
Carbon tax plebiscite dispute
The Federal Government and Opposition are embroiled in a bitter dispute over the proposed carbon tax, with the Opposition proposing a non-binding $80 million plebiscite over the issue.
Rio speeds up Pilbara development with $637.8 million
Rio Tinto has announced a $637.8 million investment in its Pilbara expansion plans, aimed at fast tracking the development of the company's iron ore production capacity.
Industry responds positively to Critical Skills Investment Fund
Training proposals for construction workers, drillers, electrical technicians and mining workers will be among those considered for funding under the first round of the $200 million Critical Skills Investment Fund.
Government releases exposure draft for resources tax
The Federal Government has released draft legislation for the introduction of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) for public comment.
Iron ore mine extension could generate $56 billion: report
A CSIRO research report has found that extending the life of existing iron ore mines in Australia and optimising marginal deposits would contribute an additional $56 billion to the national budget.
QRC demands more on flooded coal mine repair
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has demanded that the Queensland State Government do more to remove flood waters from the state's coal mine, saying that the reconstruction efforts rest on the maintaining of current royalty pricing in the state.
Offshore LNG projects vie for world first status
Royal Dutch Shell’s recently announced bid to be the first to build a floating liquefied natural gas operation may be thwarted by rival projects in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, according to a report in the Australian Financial Review.
Carbon price to hit coal employment: report
A report released by the Australian Coal Association on the impact of the proposed carbon price on the black coal mining sector in Queensland and New South Wales has warned that it would cost around 4,700 mining jobs in the two states, and up to 14,100 jobs in the wider Australian economy.
WA carbon capture and storage assessment funded
The Collie South West Hub capture and storage (CCS) trial project in Western Australia is to receive up to $104 million in matching Federal and State funding for the completion of a detailed storage viability study.
Gold remains strongest commodity
49 percent of all applications for the Western Australian Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program’s are for gold, making it the most sort after commodity according to the State’s Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore