The AJM News

Bauxite database offers new insight into residue management

A tool developed by CSIRO researchers offers new insights into the best options for bauxite residue management and large-scale residue re-use.

CME rejects Premier’s view on resources’ contribution

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) has urged Premier Colin Barnett to have a discussion with the state’s mining industry about royalties now or possibly risk future investment potential in WA.

Petratherm signs deal with European utility

Petratherm has formed a powerful partnership with Europe’s second largest utility to significantly bolster its geothermal energy credentials on the world stage.

John Holland completes $52m Abbot Point shiploader

On March 1st, John Holland reached a major project milestone in Queensland, with the completion of the Abbot Point X50 Shiploader SL2 project, on behalf of North Queensland Bulk Ports.

Mineral resources exports to reach $175b by 2014-15

Total earnings from Australian commodity exports are forecast to rise by 15 per cent to $187 billion in 2010-11, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural & Resource Economics (ABARE).

Opportunity for smaller uranium deposits

The global rush into nuclear power has created an environment where Australia will have little “free” surplus uranium to sell into long-term international uranium contracts, according to Toro Energy.

Coal hauls Asciano back into the black

Coal haulage has helped bring Asciano out of the red with the rail and ports operator posting a net profit after tax of $79 million for the first half of the year.

Rio Tinto to develop new systems for underground mines

Rio Tinto is expanding its Mine of the Future™ programme to develop new equipment and systems for deep underground mines and has selected three partners to work on the project.

Toro announces $4.5m uranium spend in 2010

An exploration program costing $4.5 million to expand its uranium exploration drive in Western Australia and the Northern Territory in calendar 2010, has been announced by Toro Energy.

Rio Tinto opens new iron ore mine in the Robe Valley

Rio Tinto has started producing iron ore from the US$901 million* Mesa A/Warramboo mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with the first full length (163-car) train leaving the mine late on February 19th.

Value of QLD projects more than $115b: QRC

Planned resource projects could boost the annual value of the Queensland resources sector by 60 percent to more than $78 billion by 2020, according to a ‘best scenario’ analysis prepared for the Federal Treasurer by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Texting the human voice in hostile conditions

An advanced system that will allow speech recognition in spaces filled with other voices, noise and echoes is being developed by an international team led by The University of Western Australia.

Don’t lock industry out of QR sale: QRC

Queensland’s $40 billion a year coal industry should not be dismissed by the state government as a potential investor in the planned privatisation of QR’s coal rail business, according to the QLD Resources Council (QRC).

Can Queensland keep ignoring uranium?

The global debate on the carbon produced by fossil fuels is encouraging a world-wide review of the approach to energy sources, with many alternative sources still to provide a reliable base load supply.

Zero emissions power but not at expense of coalminers: report

Not for profit organisation Beyond Zero Emissions has released a study which demonstrates how Australia can reach zero emissions electricity by 2020 using proven, existing, commercialised technology.

Growth platform needed to boost economy: MCA

Australia needs a platform for growth based on government spending restraint, improved infrastructure and regulation and reforms that take account of sovereign risk, said the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA).

Insights from Indaba – Mining in Africa

Attracting more than 3,500 mining industry delegates to Cape Town in February, the Mining Indaba has become a key event in the mineral industry calendar.

China now Rio Tinto's biggest customer

China became Rio Tinto's biggest export market in 2009, emphasising the mining giant's increased dependence on the resource-hungry nation's continued demand for iron ore.

WA Index falls for the first time in 12 months

The market capitalisation of Western Australian listed companies which comprise the Deloitte WA Index closed at $155.1 billion for January, its first decline since January 2009.

New HART field communicator offers complete wireless solution

Endress+Hauser’s Field Xpert is a compact, handheld communicator that streamlines device commissioning, diagnostics and trouble-shooting both directly and offline.