State-run miners: best of a bad bunch
December 15 - 21, 2011
THE trend toward resource nationalisation that has taken hold across the globe is here to stay and miners need to get on board and embrace the limited opportunities that this trend brings or face a painful future, according to resource development guru, Brian Menell.
Whittall charges raise responsibility issue
November 24 - 30, 2011
NOVEMBER 22: CRIMINAL charges laid against Peter Whittall this month over the Pike River disaster bring to the surface controversial industry issues around statutory responsibilities and duty of care.
Engaged, but not necessarily happy
November 17 - 23, 2011
NOVEMBER 15: PERTH’S domestic airport is bursting at the seams with fly-in, fly-out workers and many of them could be getting on a different plane before the end of the month. Those who aren’t might be “more engaged” within their workplace, though the author of that sentiment says FIFO is pretty much an anathema to the workforce engagement concept.
Can NSW avoid Queensland’s mistakes?
November 3 - 9, 2011
NEW South Wales is heading down the same road as Queensland’s strategic cropping land policy, but Palaris Queensland sustainability services general manager Terry Short believes there is a glimmer of hope the state won’t make the same mistakes as its northern cousin.
Open up and talk, says services council
October 20 - 26, 2011
MINING companies are not known for their openness, but those with a closed door to their suppliers may be missing out on supply-efficiency gains.
What's yours is mine
September 1 - 7, 2011
GOVERNMENTS across the world are pushing for an increased piece of the commodities pie as mining with the nationalisation of the gold sector in Venezuela and growing support for nationalisation in South Africa currently under the spotlight. The key questions governments need to ask are: can nationalisation work and what is a fair stake for a government in a resources project during a commodities boom?
Runs on the board a valuable Pilbara commodity
August 18 - 24, 2011
WHEN BC Iron managing director Mike Young appeared before a federal senate select committee hearing in the middle of last year, he described himself as a glass-half-full type of person. That optimism has certainly been tested since but Young remains expectant.
Australian miners face govt strangulation
August 11 - 17, 2011
LIKE other advanced Western nations such as the US and those in Europe, Australia could squeeze the life out of its mining industry through over regulation, creating an environment where only the biggest and most profitable survive. This was among the observations made by three of Australia’s emerging mining houses when questioned about major issues facing the country’s resources sector at the recent Diggers & Dealers forum in Kalgoorlie.
Majors’ essential backing for education initiative
July 21 - 27, 2011
TWO of the world’s largest mining houses – the publicly-listed BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto – have copped a fair bit of flak over the years for a string of alleged civil rights abuses across the globe. For one Western Australian group involved with indigenous education and training, however, their collective attitude towards social responsibility has been exemplary.
Mid West questions mount
July 14 - 20, 2011
JUST before current Western Australian premier Colin Barnett announced back in late 1996 that the Oakajee River and its environs in WA’s Mid West would be the location for a deepwater harbour and adjoining industrial estate, a couple of reports came out suggesting the ambitious project was going to have some troubles.
Safety changes chilling for directors
July 7 - 13, 2011
CHANGES to Australian state occupational health and safety laws that could be introduced to Western Australia early next year have been designed to up the penalties for companies that don’t provide a safe working environment. But in reality, according to the legal team at DLA Piper, the new measures increase the liability for companies and individual directors to an alarming extent.
AMMA boss sounds new skills warning
July 7 - 13, 2011
WHILE it might seem hard to believe, Australia’s minerals sector looks as if it will again suffer from a skills shortage as it moves into mark II of the mining boom.
Abbott not forced to dig too deep at mining conference
June 30 - July 6, 2011
If aspiring prime minister Tony Abbott was under the impression that the media had a strong interest in his thoughts regarding the Australian minerals sector, he may have to think again.
Tax talk turns to black holes
June 30 - July 6, 2011
WITHIN its mostly negative review of the proposed mineral resources rent tax (MRRT), the Australian Federal senate select committee chosen to scrutinise new taxes threw down an interesting challenge to the Julia Gillard-led Labor Government should the impost be implemented during the middle of next year.
CEEC looks to put efficiency on the menu
June 9 - 15, 2011
MARIUS Kloppers and other mining executives backing a carbon tax in Australia will no doubt be making less public, but no less substantial, contributions to groups such as the newly formed Coalition for Eco-Efficient Comminution to ensure the industry identifies ways to slash energy waste while it pays more for the power it does use (within Australia).
A fine balance
June 2 - 8, 2011
THE pendulum on land access and use for miners and explorers, the coal seam gas industry and farmers in Queensland continues to swing. A key question that has considerable relevance beyond the state’s borders is, will Queensland find the balance it needs to allow mining companies to thrive and the competing interests on land use to live harmoniously?
Rio explores the science of sleep
June 2 - 8, 2011
RIO Tinto has rolled out an innovative, science-based fatigue management program at its East Pilbara iron ore mine sites, designed to reduce safety incidents and, the hope is, to demonstrate that better-rested workers are not just less prone to accidents but are also more productive.
Corporate amnesia a growing mine safety hazard
May 26 - June 1, 2011
THE 1999 Northparkes disaster remains one of Australia’s worst recent mining tragedies after four men were killed when the block cave collapsed. According to Xstract Mining senior consultant Xavier Hill, the disaster was not just an example of technical failure but also of corporate memory loss costing lives.
A textbook example of training innovation
May 19 - 25, 2011
POLYTECHNIC West’s new industry sponsored training facility in Pinjarra is not just a boon for mining companies in the Peel region of Western Australia, but also a model for how the industry can secure its own future by supporting education and training.
Harmony for NSW miners at last
May 12 - 18, 2011
IT’S been a long time coming but New South Wales miners will finally have the same basic legal and human rights as the rest of the population under changes to the occupational health and safety laws in the state.
