GLOBAL NEWS
“Strategic proposals allow the EPA to take a bigger picture view
of the potential environmental impacts the proposals may have,
considering the cumulative impacts rather than on a case-by-
case basis, as individual mines or developments are proposed.”
The Western Australian Government welcomed the strategic
proposal, saying it helped reduce red and green tape.
McGowan said the state government plan would reduce
environmental approval times by up to 50%, while maintaining
the highest environmental standards. “Industry has been crying
out for this type of plan. It recognises the need to reduce
unnecessary ‘green tape’ to increase investor confidence and
pave the way for more jobs,” McGowan said.
BHP’s strategic proposal includes a ministerial statement
outlining conditions that may be applied to each development.
This includes environmental management plans, a cultural
heritage management plan, a mine closure plan and offsets
through contributions to the Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund.
AUSTRALIA:
ANGLO EXTENDS CAPCOAL’S
LIFE
Anglo American will extend the life of the Capcoal underground
metallurgical coal operations in Central Queensland by six
years after approving the Aquila project. Anglo plans to
revive the Aquila operation, which was placed under care and
maintenance in 2013.
Development of the Aquila project is set to begin in September
and first longwall production is scheduled for early 2022.
Anglo American claims it will be developing Aquila into one of
the most technologically advanced underground mines in the
world, with features such as a remotely-operated longwall.
The company will adopt its FutureSmart Mining program, which
aims to apply innovative thinking and advanced technology
to address operational and sustainability challenges. Aquila’s
development will extend the mine life of the Bowen Basin
operations to 2028. The project has been designed to annually
produce five million tonnes of coking coal.
Anglo American manages the Capcoal open cut and Grasstree
underground operations at the Capcoal complex. The
underground operations are 70% owned by Anglo American,
with Mitsui & Co holding the remaining 30%.
AUSTRALIA:
RESOLUTE UPGRADES
RAVENSWOOD
Resolute Mining announced a major upgrade in mineral
resources and ore reserves for its Ravenswood Gold Mine in
Queensland, Australia. According to a statement, Ravenswood’s
ore reserves have increased by 1 million ounces (Moz), or 58%,
from 1.7Moz to 2.7Moz. Mineral resources have increased by
24% from 4.8Moz to 5.9Moz.
Managing Director and CEO at Resolute, John Welborn, was
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encouraged by the major increase of the company’s gold
inventory at Ravenswood. “One million additional ounces of
gold in ore reserves is an excellent outcome from our recent
drilling programs and study work. Available gold resources at
Ravenswood now exceed five million ounces,” says Welborn.
AUSTRALIA:
AERIS PLANS TO EXPAND
Aeris Resources is mapping out a clear and simplified path to
expand its footprint in the prized Australian copper space after
exceeding production targets at its flagship Tritton mine and
continuing to reduce debt.
"Our growth strategy is twofold," says Andre Labuschagne,
executive chairman of Aeris. "First, we want to grow around
Tritton itself, which has brownfields and greenfields exploration
opportunities to expand the mine life beyond four years. We're
busy increasing the reserve and resource base for that," he says.
GLOBAL:
RARE EARTHS
TIPPED TO
GROW
Frost & Sullivan’s latest analysis, Global Rare Earth Materials
Market, Forecast to 2025 [italics], reveals that a global uptick
in infrastructure development and electronic vehicle demand
are key factors driving the USD5.40-billion global rare earth
materials market growth.
Growth is augmented by the rise in neodymium magnet,
lanthanum, and cerium-based application requirements in
countries such as China, Japan, Korea, the US, Brazil, and
Western Europe and a necessity for rare earth materials
in metallurgy and battery applications. Frost & Sullivan
expects the market to grow at a robust CAGR of 7.0% from
2018 to 2025.
“There has been significant demand for rare earth
materials, especially for use in the production of high-end
permanent magnets. Demand is strongly characterised
by niche requirement – high-purity, specialised rare earth
material products with extremely customised application
characteristics. End-user electronics, technology and
automotive industries prefer such products even though
procurement is pricey,” says Ganesh Dabholkar, senior
analyst, chemicals & materials in infrastructure & mobility at
Frost & Sullivan.
Although Dabholkar says that there are significant growth
prospects, the rare earth materials market is restrained by
China’s dominance in terms of reserves, product supply,
project investments, and consumption. “Environmental
concerns regarding extraction and use of rare earth materials
and a growing trend to research alternative materials, recycle,
or find other low-cost rare earth products are factors further
hindering market growth,” he says.
African Mining
African Mining October 2019
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