Ferguson says CSG ‘critical’ to meet future east coast demand

Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson has warned coal seam gas (CSG) detractors that Australia’s ability to meet future east coast gas demand would be “critically” dependent on the extent to which the industry is allowed to...

Australian govt releases 27 areas for exploration

The federal government on Monday announced the exploration acreage release, comprising 27 areas across nine basins in Commonwealth waters off Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Using the Australian...

Minerals Council says miners pay fair share of tax

The Minerals Council of Australia has hit back at claims that the mining industry was paying a disproportionately low amount of corporate tax, releasing a research paper in defence of the industry. The Minerals Council noted that analysis of data...

Lincoln garners more support from S Australian govt

The federal government has, for the second time, formally backed emerging iron-ore miner Lincoln Minerals' plans to develop its Gum Flats iron-ore mine in the Eyre Peninsula. The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and...

Aquila widens loss as it ups spending on studies, exploration

Diversified junior Aquila Resources has reported a 19% increase in its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the six months ended December, driven by the performance if its Isaac Plains coal mine in Australia....

Eagle Downs set for 2015 production as Aquila, Vale agree on plan

Diversified junior Aquila Resources on Wednesday reported that its Eagle Downs hard coking coal joint venture (JV) with Brazilian major Vale could be in production as early as 2015, after the mine development was approved in late December. The...

BHP wins approval for iron-ore port expansion plan

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on Monday approved the proposed multibillion-dollar outer harbour development at Port Hedland, which BHP Billiton wants to develop to grow its Pilbara iron-ore exports. The project,...

BHP hikes Chile copper resource 700%

Diversified miner BHP Billiton has reported a 700% increase in the mineral resource for its Spence copper project, in northern Chile, following a four-year, $30-million brownfield exploration programme. The miner said that the significant mineral...

Amec slams move to set up CSG, coal advisory committee

The A$150-million independent expert scientific committee that will advise government on coal seam gas and coal mining approvals would be “regulation hypocrisy”, the Association of Mining & Exploration Companies (Amec) said on Friday. “The...

Nine new offshore petroleum exploration permits issued

The federal government has awarded nine new offshore permits in the second round of its Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release, with ASX-listed Woodside coming out as the clear winner. Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said that the...

Australia sets up committee to scrutinise future CSG projects

In a move to allay the building fears over coal seam gas (CSG) and coal projects, the federal government has introduced a new environmental framework. Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan said on Monday that CSG and coal projects could...

Australia mine tax wins support from independents

The Australian government’s proposed mineral resources rent tax (MRRT) received a boost on Monday, as Independents Andrew Wilkie, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, announced that they would support the tax. Wilkie pushed the federal government to...