Tag: Australia mining

Resources rush for 2018 and beyond

Resources rush for 2018 and beyond

BY ELIZABETH FABRI AUSTRALIA’S mining sector is set to accelerate through 2018 as strengthened global economics, particularly in China, support commodity prices and underwrite new investment. According to a recent report by S&P Global Market Intelligence, over the next 12 months China will drive continued growth in end-use demand for most base metals through developments such as the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. However the report highlighted fears surrounding China’s debt and ability to sustain GDP growth rates (a process that determines the success of large infrastructure spending), but assured macroeconomic improvements were still likely despite the risks. “A key macroeconomic area of support for base metals prices will be through the US dollar, as it moves...

The importance of water management

The importance of water management

Water dust suppression at Dampier port. Image: Department of Water WA. BY ELIZABETH FABRI AUSTRALIA is one of the driest continents in the world, and mining is thirsty business. In remote areas of the country water can be both scarce and overabundant, forcing mining operations to continually advance water management strategies and technologies to secure supply, minimise environmental footprint, and ride through extreme weather events such as cyclones, flooding, and droughts. Water management in mining is a hot topic in all mining jurisdictions across the country. During 2014-15, an estimated 76,140 gigalitres (GL) of water was extracted to support the Australian economy, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Of this amount, 768GL or 4.4 per...