Archived News for Industry Professionals
Nickel mining giant Western Areas WL has announced that it will complete its shipment contract with China’s Jinchuan Group months ahead of schedule.
Thanks to continuing high levels of nickel production in its flagship Forrestania Nickel Project, the offtake contract to sell a total of 25,000 tonnes of nickel in concentrate to Jinchuan is expected to be completed by February 2012, 19 months after the first shipment to China. Under the current terms, Western Areas and Jinchuan will meet six months before the end of the contract, however Western Areas has no obligation to extend the contract.
Western Areas’ Board is now considering a range of options including calling for tenders for the next tranche of concentrate from Forrestania. This is in response to strong interest being shown by a number of major offshore nickel producers and other companies.
Xstrata halts uranium attempts
Xstrata has announced it will halt its attempts to break into the uranium market, blaming hostile attitudes and a highly competitive local market.
Australian scientist to lead international mining research centre
CSIRO’s Dr Neal Wai Poi will lead the development of a major new international mining and mineral processing research centre based in Santiago, Chile.
Iron ore drives Port Headland export growth
Port Hedland has retained its title as the world’s largest bulk export port after recording a record-breaking year in which $40 billion in exports was handled by the facility.
Rio challenges union ruling
Mining giant Rio Tinto has requested that the High Court overturn a Federal Court ruling that would see its non-union pay and condition agreements in the Pilbara region rendered invalid.
Uranium uncertainty in NSW
The New South Wales Government has denied allegations of plans to lift the state’s ban on uranium mining and exploration, despite the state Opposition and Greens claiming the State Government would readily change its stance.
Rann to hold out until BHP deal closed
Departing South Australian Premier Mike Rann will hold his position until the $18.2 billion Olympic Dam expansion project deal is finalised with the signing of an indenture agreement.
Queensland solidifies LNG position
Queensland has strengthened its position as an emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub after the proponents of the Australia Pacific Liquefied Natural Gas (APLNG) project have made their final investment decision.
Rio to build bauxite supply to China
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has announced plans to expand its bauxite refining operations in a bid to grow its export market in China.
Resources to continue WA boom 'for decades'
A report published by Deloitte Access Economics shows that the Western Australian economy is set to continue to prosper for decades on the back of jobs and export growth.
Skills shortage grows as labour demand grows
Research conducted by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) shows that nearly two-thirds of large companies are considering hiring from overseas in order mitigate the effects of the growing skills shortage.
Unions notch up legal victory in Pilbara
Mining unions have won a landmark legal victory that is set to allow them bargaining rights over pay and conditions at the booming Pilbara iron ore operations of Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.
Arkaroola protection halts exploration
The South Australian Government’s decision to halt all mining in the Arkaroola region in the State’s far-north stands to stall uranium exploration in the area.
BHP posts record profits
BHP Billiton has recorded its highest profit in its history after posting a first-half net profit of $10.6 billion, representing a 71 per cent jump in profits.
Woodside gas project in doubt
Woodside Petroleum’s planned floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project in the Timor Sea is under threat from a dispute with partners and the East Timorese Government.
Research shows $17 billion in asset damages
Research conducted by Wood Mackenzie shows that coal producers could have up $17 billion wiped off their asset value in the event of the introduction of the Federal Government’s planned carbon tax.
Queensland coal reports poor June quarter
Queensland’s coal industry has revealed an underperforming June quarter as the sector continues to suffer the lingering effects of the spate of natural disasters earlier in the year.
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources launched
The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) has been officially opened at the University of Newcastle.
CITIC's Sino Iron costs blow out
Hong Kong listed company CITIC Pacific Limited has announced that the company’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) for the Sino Iron project in Western Australia, has put forward a proposal for an additional payment of around $900-million to meet increased project costs and design changes.
WA urging changes to skilled migrant visas
The delegation is led by Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier to promote the attributes of living and working in Western Australia to potential skilled migrants.
Speaking from the UK, Mr Collier said he had received positive feedback from the people he had met and were keen to come to WA, but faced major hurdles with the Federal Government’s visa process.
“Coming to the end of our trip, we have met thousands of people in the UK,” he said.
“The one clear message we are constantly being given is that people want to come to WA but are often frustrated by the Federal visa process, which is holding back the ability of skilled workers coming to the State.
“The Government has appealed for changes to the Federal migration program to help WA supplement its workforce needs - I met with Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen in March to discuss these changes in detail.
“It’s no secret that there will be huge demands on WA’s future workforce needs - its been well documented and reported, yet the Federal Government seems completely oblivious to our requirements.”
Key points the Minister raised with Mr Bowen during their meeting included recognition of Perth under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme; providing greater flexibility with visas, particularly in expanding the type of skilled occupations that qualify for 457 visas; expanding the use of Working Holiday Maker and Student visas; reviewing the new International English Language Test Score; considering incentives to increase the level of foreign students entering Australia and to encourage them to join the domestic workforce; reviewing the proposed new points test requirements for the Skilled Migration Program; and reviewing the allocation of State sponsored visas.
“WA has presented some real solutions to assist with our workforce needs, but it seems the Federal Government is not willing to discuss alternatives beyond their existing parameters.
“This is further proof that the Federal Government has little or no understanding of what’s required to support the State’s future workforce demands.”
With more than $225billion of resource and infrastructure projects planned or under construction, WA is facing a potential shortfall of up to 150,000 skilled workers by 2017.
“Addressing these workforce issues will be a significant challenge for government, industry and the community,” Mr Collier said.
“Our top priority is to ensure that jobs are filled from within WA but this alone will not be enough - it will be necessary to recruit workers from overseas to boost our skilled labour needs.
“We need assistance from the Federal Government to ensure we can attract and retain enough skilled workers to meet future demand, yet we are not receiving this support.”
The State’s delegation to the UK includes representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA; Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA; Australian Hotels Association; Motor Trades Association and Civil Contractors Federation, as well as other industry and government groups. They have met with a range of key organisations over the past 10 days.
Mining and engineering surge pushes WA to the top
CommSec’s State of the States quarterly report shows that Western Australia has the strongest economy in the country, propelled by a strong mining and engineering sector that has driven commercial construction and a vibrant export industry based on the mining and minerals industry.