Archived News for Industry Professionals

Penrice Soda Holdings Ltd and General Electrics have struck a deal to provide the coal seam gas (CSG) industry with a new process to remove brine from wastewater.

The process, controlled by the consortium, will produce saleable chemicals and cleaned wastewater that can be returned to the environment, according to Penrice.

The water and process technologies arm of GE and Penrice will construct the demonstration plants with an eye to commercialise the technology developed by Penrice.

Australia and Germany sign energy and resources R&D pact

Australia and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration on Energy and Resources Cooperation which aims to increase cooperation and research and development collaboration between the two countries in the resource and energy sectors.

Heavy engineering demand drives mining labour market

Recruitment consulting firm Hays has published its annual salary guide, finding that demand for mining engineers has reached critical levels throughout the country as Australia’s booming resources and mining sector 'spearheads our economic recovery.’

IEA predicts golden future for natural gas

The International Energy Agency has released a special report on the future of natural gas as part of the global energy mix, outlining what it describes as the ‘Golden Age of Gas Scenario’, or the GAS Scenario.

PWC says game has changed in mining

PriceWaterhouseCoopers has published its Mine 2011 report, finding a “[global mining] industry that is enjoying spectacular growth, but is also facing new and complex challenges”.

O'Farrell hints at royalties move

New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell has hinted that he may consider a royalties hike, similar to that of Western Australia.

Carbon price job losses "trivial"

A study conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Household and Income Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) group has found that job losses caused by the introduction of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) would cause minimal deviation from the mean over the next ten years.

Rio strikes deal with traditional owners

Rio Tinto and the traditional owners of the Pilbara region in Western Australia have struck a deal that will see the mining giant invest $2 billion in the local community over 40 years while the company has access to massive iron ore deposits.

Resourcehouse pulls out of Hong Kong float again

Clive Palmer’s development giant Resourcehouse has pulled out of the company’s planned Hong Kong float for a fourth time, citing poor market conditions as investors stay wary of company’s international prospects.

Construction of Gladstone LNG project starts

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh have announced the commencement of the construction of the $16 billion Gladstone liquefied natural gas project.

Queensland to prevent mining in strategic cropping areas

Key food-growing areas in Queensland will be protected immediately from mining and other development under an Australian-first policy.

Brierty executes $185 million contract with Karara Mining

Brierty (ASX: BYL) has executed a four-year $185 million contract with Karara Mining for the hematite mining and associated services at the Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.

Karara Mining is a joint venture between Gindalbie Metals (ASX: GBG) and Chinese steel producer AnSteel. Brierty is no longer in a trading halt on the release of today's announcement.

In February, Brierty had been named preferred contractor on Karara, and with contract terms now settled, the company has commenced delivery of mining services including drill and blast; load and haul; crushing and screening; road haulage and train loading.

Brierty is benefitting from an ongoing mining boom in Western Australia where infrastructure and land development investment has increased, particularly with Chinese interests in iron ore.

Peter McBain, chief executive officer of Brierty, said “the contract is a cornerstone mining project and provides Brierty with the ability to leverage additional opportunities from the development of the burgeoning Midwest region of Western Australia.”

Karara selected Brierty as contractor based on the strength of its team, service capability and professional approach. The project hosts a JORC Reserve of 977.5 million tonnes at 36.5% iron with an estimated concentrate of 1.027 billion tonnes at 68.6% iron. The Karara Project produces eight million tonnes per annum of high grade magnetite concentrate and has a 60 – year mine life. The joint venture also produces four million tonnes per annum of iron pellets at a new plant in China.

The project has the capacity to expand production to more than 30 million tonnes per annum for more than 30 years.

The company expects Direct Shipping Ore hematite deposits at the project to produce an initial level of two million tonnes per annum in 2012.