First-phase Olympic Dam expansion by 2013
03 November, 2008BHP Billiton says it expects the first stage of its five-phase Olympic Dam expansion to be in production by 2013.
Rio, GE, Atlas unite to automate mining
22 September, 2008Rio Tinto has formed separate alliances with Atlas Copco and General Electric (GE) to develop autonomous drilling and energy-efficient mining solutions.
Megatrends of the future
15 September, 2008 by Glenn Johnson, EditorThere is no doubt that the changing face of the world manufacturing industry is presenting enormous challenges and opportunities to the automation and process control industry. Can we, in Australia, be innovative enough to continue to prosper while meeting our environmental and social responsibilities in the future? This article is an excerpt from a forthcoming feature in What’s New in Process Technology magazine.
All talk no action for social responsibilty
10 September, 2008Many Australian businesses appear not to be pulling their weight when it comes to their corporate social responsibility, according to a recent report by consultant firm Grant Thornton.
Sarina distillery upgrade planned
07 August, 2008Sugar manufacturer CSR has announced it will spend $17.8 million to increase its ethanol production capacity to 60 megalitres (ML) per annum, to match strong demand by Australian oil companies for fuel-grade ethanol.
$1.4b gas field announced but no gas until 2015
01 August, 2008Oil giants ExxonMobil and BHP Billiton will develop a $1.4 billion gas and oil field in Bass Strait but, although oil production will start in 2011, gas production will not start until 2015.
Australia links with the US WateReuse Association
11 July, 2008Information and research on water recycling available in Australia will be boosted with the establishment of an Australian division of the influential US WateReuse Association.
Crescent Gold suspends operation
09 July, 2008Crescent Gold shares have sunk to a 12-month low, after the gold producer suspended its Laverton operation in Western Australia following problems with the processing plant.
Construction commenced on Australia's helium plant
06 June, 2008BOC has commenced construction in Darwin on Australia’s first helium plant, due to begin production in July 2009.
Geothermal energy to power mining
07 May, 2008Geothermal or hot rocks energy could power the future needs of South Australia's booming mining sector in the state's north, according to geothermal developer Petratherm.
Plant conversion extends life of Whyalla steelworks
19 March, 2008A $400 million conversion program at OneSteel’s Whyalla steelworks should extend the life of the operations to 2027, South Australian Deputy Premier Kevin Foley says.
NZ building geothermal power
12 March, 2008Mighty River Power (MRP) has moved another step closer to the construction of a NZ$450 million (AU$387.58 million) geothermal power station near Taupo, on New Zealand’s North Island.
OneSteel closing two mills
18 February, 2008OneSteel, Australia’s second largest steelmaker, will be closing two mills amid rising competitive pressures and surplus capacity.
Closing the gender gap in the mining industry
21 January, 2008 by Kylie Wilson-Field, JournalistIn 2006, mining giant BHP Billiton published its annual sustainability report that featured case studies on women and their high-profile roles within the company
Genetic algorithm optimisation
06 March, 2007A recent project to replace inefficient open channels in the Murrumbidgee irrigation area near Leeton and Griffith in NSW with a pressurised pipe network is expected to save up to 50,000 ML of water per annum when completed
