Articles by Mining IQ Editorial

Despite doubts over China’s demand for resources and the uncertainty in the Eurozone, Rio Tinto has recently flagged that they will continue to invest in automation technology.   ComputerWorld reports at the company’s 2011 annual meeting, Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has announced the company’s interest in developing more automated operations. “I am...Full Article »

Top level executives to BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are sending mixed messages about the future of mining and China’s demand for resources. On the one hand, the chief executive of BHP, Marius Kloppers, and its chairman, Jac Nasser are saying that whilst China will still help sustain long-term commodity prices, the economic boom is maturing. Commodity prices show that they’ve fallen...Full Article »

Mining projects require huge levels of upfront capital investment in the machinery, assets and resources needed to extract minerals. Protecting this equipment is understandably a key concern for miners, and one which is becoming more challenging as the industry expands into more remote regions. Many of the countries sporting the greatest mineral wealth are those with the weakest law and order...Full Article »

On Friday morning, the team at Mining IQ attended the AIMEX 2013 launch briefing. For over an hour, Paul Baker, Reed Mining Events' Exhibition Director explained what visitors and exhibitors can expect next year. “ AIMEX is an internationally-recognised platform showcasing the latest mining technology, equipment and services,” Baker said. “It will continue to offer a unique...Full Article »

This year’s budget was unsurprising – overall, the government will spread the wealth of the mining industry to middle income families, students and the unemployed via the Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT). However, in a glimmer of hope for mining companies, their diesel fuel rebate and tax breaks for research and development were retained. Earnings from the MRRT is expected to...Full Article »

Indigenous Australians have vast business opportunities overseas if they can share their mining experience with foreign companies who are struggling to engage with Aboriginal communities. The growth of the mining sector in Australia owes much to its engagement with Aboriginal communities.  Whilst tensions between the two still make headlines, local miners’ working relationship with...Full Article »

The biggest losers of the new carbon tax could be underground miners if they don’t improve the way they measure fugitive emissions . Stuart Day, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Energy Technology, has said that as one of the largest producers of fugitive emissions, underground miners are naturally concerned about the legislation’s effect on profits. “The worry for the...Full Article »

The rising use of robotics and automation in mining has meant procurement departments will need to adapt to the changing nature of their job function. Craig Simonds, Commercial Manager at Ngarda Civil and Mining, one of Australia’s largest Indigenous owned and operated contract companies, said that whilst the full effect of automation remains unclear, it will permanently change the mining...Full Article »

Under the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC), billionaire mining mogul Andrew Forrest has celebrated the creation of 10,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians. New figures released by the AEC revealed that companies owned by Mr Forrest helped bring over 10,500 indigenous Australians off welfare and into the workforce.   On the occasion, Mr. Forrest took the chance to criticize the Federal...Full Article »

Sure, you might not be a pop culture guru, but if you’re in our industry, we’re sure you have some interesting mining facts, stories, statistics or records up your sleeve… Mining IQ is launching the Weird & Wonderful World of Mining – a book of records for the industry - and we need you! Our aim is to compile all the fabulous and surprising facts you know so we can...Full Article »

Interview Transcript with Craig Cullen, OSH Focus Group Coordinator at the WA Department and of Mines and Petroleum As part of his appearance at the Safety Leadership & Behavioural Based Safety Construction to be held on the 30 – 31st May at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Perth, Craig Cullen of the WA Department and of Mines and Petroleum spoke with Mining IQ about the legislative...Full Article »