Archived News for Industry Professionals
Queensland and Western Australia are set to experience a massive demand in skilled labour over the coming years, with 300,000 workers required to continue economic growth.
In an article published by the Australian Financial Review, resource states may be forced to poach workers from Victoria and New South Wales as demand for skilled workers grows exponentially.
Queensland, who experienced no positive economic growth in the 2010-11 financial year, is set to turn to a 5% GDP as mines, infrastructure and services return to profit after the spate of natural disasters earlier in the year.
Oakajee port in strife
Western Australia’s Oakajee iron ore port and rail project has taken another serious blow after one of the two main developers announced it was struggling to raise the required funding for the site’s construction.
Report into future energy security released
Geoscience Australia has released its Toward Future Energy Discovery, detailing the outcomes and achievements of the Australian Government’s five-year, $134 million Energy Security Initiative.
Carbon tax plebiscite dispute
The Federal Government and Opposition are embroiled in a bitter dispute over the proposed carbon tax, with the Opposition proposing a non-binding $80 million plebiscite over the issue.
Rio speeds up Pilbara development with $637.8 million
Rio Tinto has announced a $637.8 million investment in its Pilbara expansion plans, aimed at fast tracking the development of the company's iron ore production capacity.
Industry responds positively to Critical Skills Investment Fund
Training proposals for construction workers, drillers, electrical technicians and mining workers will be among those considered for funding under the first round of the $200 million Critical Skills Investment Fund.
Government releases exposure draft for resources tax
The Federal Government has released draft legislation for the introduction of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) for public comment.
Iron ore mine extension could generate $56 billion: report
A CSIRO research report has found that extending the life of existing iron ore mines in Australia and optimising marginal deposits would contribute an additional $56 billion to the national budget.
QRC demands more on flooded coal mine repair
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has demanded that the Queensland State Government do more to remove flood waters from the state's coal mine, saying that the reconstruction efforts rest on the maintaining of current royalty pricing in the state.
Offshore LNG projects vie for world first status
Royal Dutch Shell’s recently announced bid to be the first to build a floating liquefied natural gas operation may be thwarted by rival projects in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, according to a report in the Australian Financial Review.
Carbon price to hit coal employment: report
A report released by the Australian Coal Association on the impact of the proposed carbon price on the black coal mining sector in Queensland and New South Wales has warned that it would cost around 4,700 mining jobs in the two states, and up to 14,100 jobs in the wider Australian economy.
WA carbon capture and storage assessment funded
The Collie South West Hub capture and storage (CCS) trial project in Western Australia is to receive up to $104 million in matching Federal and State funding for the completion of a detailed storage viability study.
Gold remains strongest commodity
49 percent of all applications for the Western Australian Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program’s are for gold, making it the most sort after commodity according to the State’s Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore
Penrice Soda Holdings and GE strike deal over water technology
Penrice Soda Holdings Ltd and General Electrics have struck a deal to provide the coal seam gas (CSG) industry with a new process to remove brine from wastewater.
Australia and Germany sign energy and resources R&D pact
Australia and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration on Energy and Resources Cooperation which aims to increase cooperation and research and development collaboration between the two countries in the resource and energy sectors.
Heavy engineering demand drives mining labour market
Recruitment consulting firm Hays has published its annual salary guide, finding that demand for mining engineers has reached critical levels throughout the country as Australia’s booming resources and mining sector 'spearheads our economic recovery.’
IEA predicts golden future for natural gas
The International Energy Agency has released a special report on the future of natural gas as part of the global energy mix, outlining what it describes as the ‘Golden Age of Gas Scenario’, or the GAS Scenario.
PWC says game has changed in mining
PriceWaterhouseCoopers has published its Mine 2011 report, finding a “[global mining] industry that is enjoying spectacular growth, but is also facing new and complex challenges”.
O'Farrell hints at royalties move
New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell has hinted that he may consider a royalties hike, similar to that of Western Australia.
Carbon price job losses "trivial"
A study conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Household and Income Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) group has found that job losses caused by the introduction of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) would cause minimal deviation from the mean over the next ten years.