Australia bolstered by mineral exploration boom

Jan 24, 2024

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has found that Australia’s mineral exploration has hit a new high.

During the September 2023 quarter, $1.079 billion was spent on exploration in comparison to the $1.039 billion spent during the June 2023 quarter.

Nationally, total mineral exploration equalled to approximately $1.1 billion, representing a 6.1 per cent increase from the June quarter’s $1.069 billion spend.

New mineral deposits have increased by 11.6 per cent, totalling to $367.6 million from $318.3 million, and existing mineral deposits have risen by 3.8 per cent to $789.4 million from the previously recorded $751.6 million.

Gold was the mineral that recorded the largest increase, moving up by 7.7 per cent to $334.3 million from $315.2 million, whereas mineral sands recorded the biggest decrease, falling by 13.3 per cent to $17 million.

Australia’s massive mineral exploration boost had a positive impact on South Australia, where the mining sector contributed more than $6 billion to the state’s economic growth during the 2022–23 financial year.

Figures from the ABS found that the South Australian mining sector’s gross value added was up 13.9 per cent to $6.17 billion.

“The results are attributed to significant increases in mining production volumes, including copper. Copper is now considered a global necessity, essential to the electrification needed to drive the energy transition,” the South Australian Government said.

To support the necessity of copper, the South Australian Government added copper to its critical minerals list in August, and established a Copper Taskforce, fortifying South Australia’s place at the forefront of copper exploration.

“The strong mining performance was also underpinned by significant increases in output from our uranium, gold and iron ore miners,” the South Australian Government said.

Australia’s mineral exploration has also had a profound impact on other states.

The Tasmanian Government credited its exploration drilling grant initiative as an important and consistent economic stimulator for the state last week, with six mineral exploration projects seeing success in round nine.

The latest round of the Queensland Government’s collaborative exploration initiative grants also opened two weeks ago, with a particular focus on critical minerals. The state is also set to become home to Australia’s first critical minerals processing centre.

Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/australia-bolstered-by-mineral-exploration-boom/

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Bravus backs up Cowboys

28 May, 2024

(L-R) Head of NRLW and women’s elite pathways Anita Creenaune, Cowboys NRLW head coach Ricky Henry, Bravus COO Mick Crowe, Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel, Cowboys NRLW player China Polata. Image: Bravus The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are set to receive more support from Bravus Mining and Resources as the company expands its partnership to include the club’s women’s squad. Bravus has been associated with the Cowboys since 2019 and became a platinum partner of the NRL squad in 2021. “Our Carmichael mine near Clermont and our offices in Townsville and Rockhampton are all in the heart of Cowboys territory and our team members are some of the club’s biggest fans,” Bravus chief operating officer Mick Crowe said. “We were lucky enough to have Tom Dearden and Kaiden Lahrs out at the mine in February to launch our company-wide footy tipping competition and had plenty of workers asking when we were going to back the NRLW squad. Well, I’m happy to say, today’s the day. “As a company, we’re passionate about creating opportunities and pathways for the next generation of regional Queenslanders – whether that’s encouraging them to put their footy boots on and enjoy the brilliant game of rugby league or pulling on a pair of steel caps for a career in mining at Carmichael.” Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel said the partnership is a reflection on the commitment of both organisations to create opportunities for regional Queensland. “The Cowboys was established by the North Queensland community in 1995 to provide local talent with a pathway to compete on the national stage without having to leave home, and the formation of our Cowboys Women’s Academy in 2019 was another huge milestone in that legacy,” Reibel said. “Bravus’ investment in our new generation of NRLW Cowboys is testament to its ongoing commitment to enriching North Queensland, both on the footy field and well beyond it.” Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/bravus-backs-up-cowboys/

Fortescue’s first spin in hydrogen haul truck

28 May, 2024

A hydrogen-powered T 264 haul truck prototype developed in partnership by Fortescue and Liebherr has fired up its engines for the first time in Perth. The successful operation of the truck, dubbed ‘Europa’, with hydrogen marks the next step in Liebherr and Fortescue’s journey to develop and supply zero-emission haul trucks for the mining industry. “With Europa soon moving to site, Liebherr and Fortescue have taken an important step closer to their common target of developing and building zero-emission solutions for the mining industry that are both field proven and energy agnostic,” Liebherr Mining vice president of sales and marketing Joerg Lukowski said . “This success demonstrates the incredible capabilities of two Tier 1 companies working together to develop viable technologies today that can help the mining industry move towards a decarbonised future.” Europa contains a 1.6-megawatt battery developed in-house by Fortescue WAE, and 500 kilowatts of fuel cells. The prototype can store over 380kg of liquid hydrogen. “Following the success of our battery electric haul truck prototype at site, we’re thrilled to now have Europa up and running on hydrogen,” Fortescue Metals chief executive officer Dino Otranto said. “This is a huge achievement for the team and brings Fortescue another step closer to having a fleet of zero emission trucks at our sites by the end of this decade.” Fortescue and Liebherr established a partnership for the development and supply of zero-emissions mining haul trucks in June 2022. Liebherr began delivering the first of Fortescue’s T 264 diesel electric trucks in 2023, which will be converted to zero emission technology before the end of the decade. “We’re aiming to transport Europa to our mining operations within the coming weeks where it will then undergo further site-based testing and commissioning,” Otranto said. “The subsequent test results will inform our future fleet of zero emissions trucks that we’re delivering with Liebherr.” Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/fortescues-first-spin-in-hydrogen-haul-truck/