To enhance education and safety in the resources sector, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) recently hosted its annual 'Power of Explosives' event at the Helidon Explosives Reserve. The event, which attracted over 100 attendees, including representatives from various law enforcement agencies, showcased the power and potential dangers of explosives commonly used in industries such as mining, farming, and movie-making. During the event, 16 explosives were detonated in front of the audience, including black powder, ammonium nitrate, fireworks, and marine distress signals. RSHQ's Deputy Chief Inspector of Explosives, Snezana Bajic, highlighted the importance of understanding the risks associated with explosives,…
On 25 April 2024, a serious workplace incident at the Mount Isa Mines copper smelter in Queensland, Australia, resulted in two workers sustaining severe burn injuries. The incident has raised concerns about workplace safety and the welfare of employees at the smelter. The injured workers, a 26-year-old man and a 25-year-old man were involved in an accident caused by steam escaping from a vent near their work area. The 26-year-old worker suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body and is currently in an induced coma, while the 25-year-old worker is in a critical condition. Following the incident, smelter…
BHP has launched a $38.8 billion bid to acquire Anglo American, a move that could redefine the global mining landscape and position BHP as the leading mining company worldwide. If successful, the merger would create a powerhouse in copper, iron ore, and metallurgical coal, marking it as the largest deal in BHP's history and one of the year's biggest across all sectors. Additionally, it would strengthen BHP's position in iron ore and metallurgical coal. James Whiteside, Metals and Mining Corporate Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, described the potential deal as the most significant shakeup in the global mining industry in…
The federal government has announced its support for two major critical minerals projects in Queensland and South Australia, aiming to boost Australia's manufacturing sector while creating hundreds of jobs and opportunities. The government will provide $400 million in new loans to Australian company Alpha HPA to establish Australia's first high-purity alumina processing facility in Queensland. The Alpha HPA project in Gladstone is expected to create approximately 490 jobs during construction and more than 200 jobs upon completion. This project is significant for Gladstone, a city crucial to the economic prosperity of Central Queensland. It will place Gladstone at the forefront…
The Earth Resources Regulator is ramping up efforts to ensure operators in Victoria's minerals and quarry sectors adhere to regulations, following recent instances of non-compliance that have resulted in work stoppages and remedial actions. A minerals exploration company recently had to halt its activities north of Melbourne due to non-compliance with several licence conditions. The company failed to meet requirements such as an outstanding rehabilitation bond payment, unregistered landholder compensation agreements, and insufficient technical details, prompting the stoppage of work. In eastern Victoria, a gravel quarry operator was found to have extracted material outside their approved area, leading to a…
The Earth Resources Regulator is taking proactive measures to ensure quarries in Victoria operate within their approvals, maintaining the balance between resource extraction and environmental protection. Following investigations prompted by community complaints regarding stockpiles, dust, and truck movements, the state's resources regulator, in collaboration with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Hume City Council, issued a notice to a quarry operator at their Keilor site. The notice mandates that the operator conducts activities following the site's approved Work Plan, emphasising environmental protection and compliance. Specifically, the notice requires the operator to prevent excessive stockpiling beyond what is necessary for site…
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) recently hosted a gathering of key industry experts in Brisbane to discuss critical issues facing the mining sector. The meeting, held at RSHQ's research and testing facility known as Simtars, brought together 60 occupational hygiene and health consultants, as well as safety and health workers servicing the mining industry. The attendees convened to share insights and brainstorm innovative approaches to address major hazards in mining operations. Among the topics discussed were respiratory protection, psychosocial hazards, welding fume trends, and the risks associated with hydrogen and electrical vehicles. RSHQ Principal Occupational Hygienist Samantha Forster highlighted…
