Archived News for Industry Professionals
A new Research and Innovation Fund established by the Western Australian government with funding of $10 million in this year's budget will target miing, oil and gas as priority areas for support.
Science and Innovation Minister John Day said the funding, which is part of an additional commitment in this year’s budget of $54.5million for industry, science and innovation from 2011-12 to 2014-15, would support new schemes that focus on supporting industry-led research, attracting innovative thinkers to the State and building strong links between industry, government and research institutions to assist the commercialisation process.
“The industry development and research expertise in WA is exceptional. We are leading the way in many areas and this is due to the talented people working here. Programs will ensure the State continues to carry out science and innovation that is internationally competitive and of specific benefit to WA,” he said.
NSW OH&S laws tweaked
Proposed NSW legislation designed to ‘harmonize’ state and federal occupational health and safety law has passed the state’s parliament after the government compromised on a number of changes.
Veripos opens in Australian market
UK-based Veripos, a navigation and positioning company, is due to open its first Australian office in Perth to provide sales and service to Australian and New Zealand customers.
ABARES releases minerals and energy project report
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has released a report into the state of major development projects in the minerals and energy sector.
China's CACS Corporation wins Spinifex Ridge contract
Chinese engineering firm CACS Corporation has been awarded Moly Mines’ Spinifex Ridge engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.
Exxaro moves on Territory Resources
South African coal giant Exxaro has made a $123 million bid for Territory Resources, out-bidding Hong Kong based Noble Group for control of the Northern Territory based mining iron ore mining group.
BHP Billiton terminates Zambia expansion
BHP Billiton has pulled out of its joint venture with junior minerals explorer Blackthorn Resources to develop the Mumbwa mine in Zambia.
BHP Billiton warns of coal market freefall
BHP Billiton has become the latest mining giant to warn of an impending decline of coal production after the horror months in Queensland wiped 2% off the state’s economy.
Royalty hike causes state/federal spat
A proposed resource royalty hike in Western Australia has sparked a spat between state and commonwealth governments, with Treasurer Wayne Swan threatening to withhold over $2 billion in Federal infrastructure investment.
Royal Dutch Shell announces $10 billion LNG site
Global gas and oil giant Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) has announced its decision to proceed with construction of its $10 billion Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) site off the coast of Western Australia.
MCA proposes new carbon pricing scheme
The Minerals Council of Australia has outlined its proposal for a new carbon-pricing scheme to be rolled out in Australia, labeling the current Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) as ‘flawed’ and ‘the wrong approach’.
MCA responds positively to Federal Budget
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has responded to the Federal Budget, saying that it "correctly recognises the importance of a strong and growing minerals sector to Australia’s economy and to Commonwealth revenues".
Resourcehouse to float on the Hong Kong Exchange
$3.4 billion is expected to be raised after Clive Parker floats the iron and coal export giant Resourcehouse on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the company’s initial public offering.
Fremantle Port iron ore export plan sinks
Cazaly Resources’ plan to export iron ore through the Port of Fremantle is in tatters after the Western Australian Transport Minister Tony Buswell and Fremantle MP Adele Carles moved to block the plan.
IMX to start African expedition
IMX Resources is due to start operations in Tanzania after acquiring its final drilling equipment.
Inquiry into impact of coal seam gas mining on the Murray Darling Basin
The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee has called for submissions to its inquiry into the impact of mining of coal seam gas on the management of the Murray Darling Basin.
Gloucester stakes out coal acquisitions
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.
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.”