Archived News for Industry Professionals
New South Wales mining company Gloucester Coal Ltd has entered an agreement with its largest shareholder, Noble, to acquire Noble’s wholly-owned coal mining company, Donaldson Coal Holdings Ltd.
Donaldson, which will be bought for $360 million in scrip and debt of $225 million, owns an open cut and two underground mines producing thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal, located around 25 km west of Newcastle. It also has an 11.6% shareholding in NCIG Holdings Pty Ltd, a new coal export terminal at the Port of Newcastle.
Gloucester has also agreed to purchase Ellemby Holdings Pty Ltd, and its coal operations, Monash, which is a semi-soft coking and thermal coal development in the Hunter Valley.
Port Bonython inches closer to fruition
The planned port facilities at South Australia’s Port Bonython are a step closer to realization after an agreement between the South Australian State Government and ports consortium Spencer Gulf Ports Links (SGPL) was struck.
Jobs and skilling the focus of resources budget
The Federal Government has announced a budget dependant on the mining and resources industries and especially its involvement in the “Asian century.”
Mining tax revenue expected to decrease
Freedom of Information documents released by the Government show a decline in expected revenue to be generated by the Government’s proposed Mineral and Resources Rent Tax.
Review of Geoscience Australia released
A review of Geoscience Australia by the Department of Finance and Deregulation has found that much of the agency’s work “amounts to a national prospectus for some of Australia's most lucrative natural resources.”
Universities unite to publish mining vision
Five Australian universities, together with the CSIRO, have co-published the new Vision 2040: Innovation in Mining and Minerals paper, looking at the future of mining in Australia with a particular concentration on sustainability in the industry.
Innovation and Investment Fund opens
The $12 million South-East South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund (SESAIIF) has been launched by the Federal Government.
Victorian Government to fund exploration
The Victorian State Government has announced a $625,000 injection package for Geoscience Victoria to conduct exploration for the ‘development of Victoria’s minerals and energy resources’ in the State’s budget.
Internet streamline a boost to WA mining
The use of a new online mining approval system has ‘significantly increased’ the turnaround in approvals across Western Australia following the release of new quarterly figures.
Woomera declared open for mining
The Woomera Protected Area (WPA) has been opened to mining following discussions between the South Australian and Federal Governments.
Geological information database developed
A new public, open-access information database containing information on Australia’s geology is being co-developed by CSIRO, AuScope and a number of research agencies.
Oil and gas industries aim to improve safety record
The third month-long ‘Stand Together for Safety’ event has been launched by Australia’s oil and gas industries.
International Monetary Fund urges sovereign savings from mining boom
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND URGES SOVEREIGN SAVINGS
South Australia hopeful of mining breakthrough
The South Australian Government is expected to announce today that it has secured Federal Government approval for proposed mining sites in the states Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).
LD Operations pushes for Margaret River approval
Mining company LD Operations has urged the Western Australian Government to conduct further extensive studies into the environmental impact of the group’s proposed Margaret River coal mining site.
Major upgrades to Mount Isa freight hauling
The Queensland Government has announced major upgrades to rail services following a deal struck between Queensland Rail, Pacific National and Xstrata to deliver increasing quantities of magnetite concentrate.
WorleyParsons wins $250 million port expansion contract with Fortescue Metals
WorleyParsons has been awarded an engineer, procure and construction management services contract for the expansion of Fortescue Metal Group’s Anderson Point port facilities in Port Hedland Western Australia.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore project to generate 550 jobs
The NRW Holdings Ltd/Eastern Guruma joint venture has been awarded the Rio Tinto Iron Ore contract for the Western Turner Brockman Project Earthworks and Primary Civil Works, worth around $160 million over 12 months.
Olympic Dam expansion project supplementary EIS ready to be assessed
The proposed Olympic Dam expansion project passed another milestone after the Commonwealth announced that BHP Billiton’s Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was ready to be assessed by Federal, State and Territory Governments.
Call for bids for offshore exploration
The Federal Government has released the largest ever acreage for offshore oil and gas exploration in its 2011 round, announced earlier this month.
Interest grows in WA onshore exploration
The Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore has announced that that for the first time all onshore areas in the most recent acreage exploration release have received work program bids, indicating further development of a potentially lucrative onshore sector.