Archived News for Industry Professionals
The Federal Government has commissioned the first ever comprehensive review into the security of the nation’s offshore oil and gas facilities.
The Inspector of Transport Security, Mick Palmer AO, has been appointed to conduct the review.
The inquiry will look at:
- Government and industry relationships, communication and coordination;
- The nature and extent of current security control and oversight arrangements;
- The development and implementation of security programs;
- Possible sea and landside security gaps and areas for improvement;
- The economic, environmental and economic cost of a violent takeover of any offshore oil or gas infrastructure;
- Coastal and high seas shipping routes used in the transport of oil and gas products;
- The supply and support of offshore platforms and facilities used to deliver building components for offshore oil and gas fields.
Skills shortage hits resources sector
THE skills shortage is hitting Australia’s mining states hard with close to half of all businesses in Western Australia and Queensland directly affected, according to new data.
Queensland coal industry moves forward after floods
Despite the prospect of an estimated $2.3 billion worth of lost sales from wet season events beginning early December 2010, Queensland’s export coal industry is moving with determination to restore the state’s leading income earner.
Reporting to the state government’s economic recovery coordination taskforce, Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said that many of the state’s 57 producing coal mines were working around the clock on removing floodwater from mine sites and securing access to rail transport.
‘QRC estimates that about 15 per cent of the state’s coal mines are in full production, with 60 per cent operating under restrictions and a further 25 per cent yet to resume normal operations.
‘At full production, the coal industry is worth $8.5 million a day to Queensland taxpayers through royalties paid to the state government.
‘It’s essential that the industry is given every opportunity to get back on its feet to restore that flow of much-needed funds to the state government after such a horrendous start to the wet season.
‘Until December 2010, the coal industry was on target to deliver the production volumes underpinning Queensland Treasury’s forecast of $2.8 billion in royalties to Queensland taxpayers this financial year.’
Mr Roche praised the efforts of both the state government and coal rail network owner QR National in supporting the coal industry’s recovery.
‘QR National has restored the Moura line to Gladstone and we are hoping for similar good news for the Blackwater system later this week.
‘However, it is also clear that the restoration of rail services to mines west of Brisbane and in the Surat Basin are going to take much longer.’
Mr Roche said that to take full advantage of the prospective return of rail services, coal mines and some coal seam gas sites need further dispensation from the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) to pump flood water into nearby creeks that feed strongly flowing watercourses.
NSW report of management of dust from coal mines released
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), Department of Planning (DoP) and Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) have completed joint NSW government agency environmental compliance and performance audits focused on the management of dust from coal mines to help improve environmental performance.
Regent Pacific formalises bid for BC Iron
Hong Kong-based mining investor Regent Pacific Group has formalised a $345 million bid for junior iron ore miner BC Iron.