BHP faces cost pressures, warns of economic volatility
BHP has posted a strong fourth quarter with annual production records at Western Australia iron ore, Olympic Dam and Spence, but warns of uncertain times.
metal and mineral
economy, business and finance
energy
energy resources
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
natural gas
politics
Alumina refinery trial swapping gas power for hydrogen
The federal government is contributing $32 million to a trial project swapping gas for hydrogen to power the emissions-intensive alumina refining process.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy resources
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
natural gas
politics
Federal backing for Rio Tinto refinery hydrogen pilot
A refinery in Gladstone will get a federal grant for a renewable hydrogen project that is key to the decarbonisation of Queensland's industrial heartland.
How to blast rocks and negativity into prosperity
Chemicals giant Orica expects to be a winner in the latest boom because miners need tech to find new ore and explosives to blast critical minerals out of rock.
diplomacy
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental issue
international (foreign) trade
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Call to crack China’s dominance in critical minerals
Global demand for Australia's critical minerals is giving Treasurer Jim Chalmers optimism about mining's future in a net-zero emissions world.
Consumers, communities guide mining on sustainable path
A mining conference has heard values-driven consumers don't want 'dirty' electric cars that use unsustainable minerals in their production.
‘Dare to say mining is ok’ and dig in for global change
Governments need to be bold and brave to increase supplies of materials for electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines, the mining industry says.
Minerals project pipeline could throttle climate action
The mining industry has been warned investment plans are still geared to gradual climate action, leaving the world short on supplies for a swift energy change.
economy, business and finance
energy and resource
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Critical minerals plan ‘sets a floor, not a ceiling’
More than a quarter of a million new jobs could be up for grabs if Australia can supply factory-ready materials for the world's electric cars and clean energy.
economy, business and finance
energy
manufacturing and engineering
metal and mineral
mining
politics
transport
Battery industry investors wary as plug pulled on grant
A hub for Australian-made materials for the world's electric car batteries is in doubt after the federal government pulled the plug on a $120 million grant.
Industry maps ‘net-zero’ future for gas supply, exports
Nine industrial zones to "carpool" emissions and give gas a long-term role in the economy have been mapped by the industry with help from CSIRO scientists.
Green hydrogen proponents pumped on vote of confidence
Plans for renewable hydrogen produced with Australian-made electrolysers are closer to commercial reality after the federal budget chipped in $2 billion.
Critical minerals in demand but gas remains ‘important’
Mines and gas fields will continue to power national prosperity even as the federal budget accelerates Australia towards net-zero emissions.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Time to rethink green hydrogen approach: go local
Going toe-to-toe with the United States on green hydrogen may be "ridiculous", but chemical plants at mines for local supply may be viable despite challenges.
electricity production and distribution
heavy construction
metal and mineral
mining
politics (general)
renewable energy
Qld to spend $5b to link northwest to the national grid
The Queensland government has taken over the planned CopperString 2.0 project to build an 1100km electricity transmission line from Townsville to the northwest.
Crossbenchers call for more detail on climate policy
Carbon credits are no free ride and billions are being spent electrifying mine sites, industry figures have told a hearing on the government's climate policy.
Australia risks losing race for carbon competitiveness
Some want emissions safeguards expanded to cover more industrial plants as a step towards an economy-wide carbon limit and price, but others warn of job losses.
BHP cuts lower quality coal mines, chases NSW on costs
BHP's profit, earnings and dividend have taken a hit on lower iron ore prices and cost pressures but the mining giant is upbeat as trade with China warms up.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy and resource
environmental politics
industrial production
iron and steel
metal and mineral
mining
natural gas
politics
Industry maps net zero pathway with safeguard uncertain
Industry, government and financiers need to invest more than $20 billion per year for the Australian economy to expand without dangerous levels of pollution.
Two workers missing after Queensland mine collapse
Emergency services are leading search and rescue efforts for two workers missing after a collapse at an underground zinc mine in northern Queensland.
Fortescue’s electrolyser plant un-Plugged
Fortescue Future Industries' electrolyser plant is going ahead despite the loss of its 50-50 joint venture partner Plug Power - and there's no change in CEO.
Big emitters get help to manage emissions
New compensation will go to big emitters under a revamped scheme designed to support heavy industry to cut pollution more quickly while remaining profitable.
Crucial minerals underpin volatile exports
Riding geopolitics, rising costs and volatile prices, Australia will pick up its quest to supply more refined materials rather than being the world's quarry.
Palmer offloads Qld nickel refinery
Clive Palmer has called on the Queensland government to support a new phase for Yabulu refinery, which he is selling to a carbon-savvy investment syndicate.
Action plan to create solar cell security
Australia is again the lucky country with abundant silicon and an action plan for a sovereign solar cell supply chain to break China's stranglehold.
Commodity economy ‘not a source of shame’
Fossil fuels have given Australians an "awesome" standard of living but the economy needs to become more varied, international investors have been told.
BHP sees ore demand beyond ‘super cycle’
BHP tips decarbonisation to drive global demand beyond a "super cycle" for copper, nickel and steel but warns the industry is competing for high-tech skills.
economy, business and finance
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
industrial production
metal and mineral
mining
politics
Alumina refines credible path to net zero
Clean energy and local expertise could transform alumina refining, which has been one of toughest sectors to crack in decarbonising the Australian economy.
‘Carbon capital’ plots transition road map
Australia's "carbon capital" Gladstone has developed a detailed plan for 10 years of change so no one gets left behind in the race to net zero emissions.
BHP adapts to ‘megatrends’, sorry for harm
BHP is looking for assets at the right price as the world demands more minerals to build a net-zero economy, but doesn't see a future in green steelmaking.
Newcrest tackles costs, gets first strike
Newcrest is chasing more copper to underpin gold mining operations and says it has contracts in place to control costs amid global inflationary pressures.