Archived News for Industry Professionals - May, 2012
Eureka Energy has appointed former BP executive, Robert Willes, as the company's new CEO.
Mr Willes came to Australia from England to take up the position of General Manager of BP’s North West Shelf LNG Project, and also had overall accountability for BP’s interests in the Browse LNG and Greater Gorgon LNG projects, and for business development activities in the Asia Pacific.
Mr Willes is also found and do-director of Carbon Reduction Ventures Pty Ltd.
NSW Minerals Council awards for OHS Innovation
The NSW Minerals Council has announced its annual awards for innovation safety in the mining industry.
Xstrata moves to accelerate projects
Xstrata Zinc has announced moves to accelerate the production of its Lady Lorrtta underground mine and further extend the life of the Handlebar Hill open cut operation in Queensland, which is expected to result in a net increase in annual zinc production of 5 per cent, or 25,000 tonnes.
Leighton wins Peak Downs Mine contract
Leighton Contractors has been awarded a three-year contract worth $604 million for the provision of mining services at the Peak Downs Mine in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.
NSW Minerals Council claims $20b cost of land use policy
The NSW Minerals Council has released a research report undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Monash University which claims that NSW will lose billions of dollars in mining revenue and thousands of jobs if the current draft Strategic Regional Land Use Policy goes ahead.
Offshore petroleum exploration permits awarded
Twelve new offshore petroleum exploration permits have been awarded in waters off Western Australia and Victoria, and will see $303 million in new investment over the next three years.
Queensland calls for input on GasFields Commission
The Queensland Government has called for community input on the role and membership of the new GasFields Commission.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Government was establishing the GasFields Commission to better manage the coexistence between landholders, regional communities and the coal seam gas industry in Queensland.
“Industry and community groups and members of the public have a real opportunity to provide input into who should be represented on the Commission and what powers it should consider,” Mr Seeney said.
Mr Seeney appointed Mr John Cotter as Chairman last month and submissions from the public can be made directly to the Chairman.
He said the Commission would be based in Toowoomba with a statewide focus.
“The Commission will be formed as a statutory body under legislation to make sure we get the right balance in place between landholders, local governments and the industry itself,” Mr Seeney said.
“It will give local communities a more direct voice into government and ensure programs and services match the priorities in those areas affected by CSG operations.
“A number of skills-based commissioners will be appointed to advise and assist the Commission in carrying out its work with government, industry and communities affected.
Rio Tinto in partnership with University of Western Australia
Global miner Rio Tinto and The University of Western Australia have signed a multi-million dollar partnership that will focus on creating a sustainable supply of graduates and expertise for the mining industry.
NSW Senate publishes inquiry into CSG
The New South Wales Senate’s General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5 has published a report into the environmental, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) mining in NSW, delivering 35 recommendations for Government action.
Work on Ranger mine begins
Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) marked the start of underground construction works on the Ranger 3 Deeps exploration decline at Ranger mine.
ERA has engaged Macmahon Holdings Limited to construct the 2.2 km decline to a depth of ~400 metres.
ERA will invest an estimated $120 million in the Ranger 3 Deeps Exploration Decline Project to conduct close spaced underground exploration drilling to further define the Ranger 3 Deeps ore body, and to explore areas adjacent to the resource. The mine lies within the boundaries of Kakadu National Park.
In addition to the Ranger 3 Deeps exploration decline Project, ERA is conducting an extensive surface drilling programme on prospective and under explored areas of the Ranger Project Area over the period of 2012 to 2014 at an estimated cost of $40 million.
Chief Executive Rob Atkinson said that "the construction of the exploration decline marked the start of a challenging and exciting transition for the company."