Articles

Rio Tinto has taken a big step towards automation, unveiling a $518 million plan to use driverless trains in Australia in its Pilbara iron ore region. The company said that the move will boost output by 60 per cent by 2015. Read more

The minerals produced from mining are essential for the renewable energy technologies that the world is relying on to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Now these same renewable energy technologies are giving something back to the mining industry at sites in some of the most remote locations. Read more

With the mining industry facing increased pressure to meet rising demand for resources, experts warn mine planning departments must ensure their operational plans do not jeopardise the long term potential of mines to suit short term production targets. Read more

We’ve just done some research with a mining company that was implementing what seemed like good communication policies and procedures and good shutdown practices but were still having problems – and it was because the people on the ground didn’t see themselves as a part of the company and so didn’t use them properly. All the hard work which had gone into developing these new practices and procedures was wasted because they weren’t appropriate for the situation. Read more

A recent World Bank report says that mining companies operating in the West African region can help boost local economic growth by purchasing equipment, supplies and services from local companies. Read more

Mine Ventilation Fan under Scrutiny at Pike River Investigation A leading Australian mine expert has today spoken out about the inappropriate provisioning for mine ventilation at the Pike River mine site. Leading Australian mine safety consultant David Reece returned to the stand at the Royal Commission Inquiry at the Greymouth District Court today to give evidence into the cause of the fatal blast which killed the 29 miners at the Pike River Mine on the West Coast. Read more

Safety in Mines World First Revealed - Mobile Underground Mine Gas Lab Launched Queensland has unveiled the world's first mobile mine gas laboratory for mine emergencies. Stirling Hinchliffe, the state's mines minister, said the automated mobile laboratory was developed by the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS), which also created new blasting guidelines last year. Read more

The Minerals Council of Australia says the mining industry is struggling to get workers to relocate to the Northern Territory to work on resources projects. Minerals Council NT spokesperson Peter Stewart told the ABC companies were relying on fly-in-fly-out workers to fill gaps. Read more

Mining IQ Member Profile: David Madera, Chief Surveyor/Planner, Tancoal Energy Mining IQ is proud to profile its members from mining companies around the globle and to share some of their experiences and stories with you all. This month on Mining IQ we are profiling David Madera, Chief Surveyor/Planner, from Tancoal Energy. He has over 21 years in the mining industry fulfilling a wide variety of roles and with exposure to many areas of the mining industry. Read more

For the past 6,000 years diamonds have been highly prized for their sparkle and strength. They are formed in the Earth’s mantle, which lies 110 miles below the surface, by intense pressure and temperatures in excess of 2,400°C. Diamonds are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions which send large pieces of mantle rock, called xenoliths, upwards. The presence of nitrogen and sulphur create the highly prized yellow, pink and blue diamonds. Read more