Anti-Uranium Protestors in Perth
Following over two months’ worth of walking across Australia through storms and dust, about 50 anti-uranium protestors arrived in Perth. Carrying a banner reading “Walk Away from Uranium Mining,” the group is strongly opposed to uranium, commonly used as fuel in nuclear reactors and for weapons. Instead, it is calling for greater development of renewable sources of energy. The protestors are also saying uranium mining poses a risk to the sovereign rights of the Indigenous, and encourage the message, “Irati Wanti – uranium, leave it in the ground.” “Footprints for Peace” has been behind international walks against uranium mining for […]
New Group Wants Mining Tax on Hold
Calling themselves Eureka 2011, a new anti-mining tax group wants the Gillard Government’s Mineral Resources Rent Tax (MRRT) placed on hold until a thorough review is conducted. The group’s Stop the Mining Tax campaign was formed to let Australians have a voice about the tax, which many believe could not come at a worse time and would effectively “put the brakes” on mining, a massive and lucrative industry. Calling the MRRT a bad tax – “ill conceived, inefficient, unfair and discriminatory” – the group opposes the mining tax for a number of reasons, including its early incarnation as the Resources […]
Mine, Gas Job Fair a Success
Known for its sugar cane industry, the Queensland town of Maryborough was recently the site of a successful job expo for thousands of men and women wanting to work in the nation’s mining and gas industries. About 3,000 employment seekers attended the expo. Some were there to ask questions and get answers about resource industries, while others were lured by the potential of securing high-paying, steady employment.
Greens: Going for Gold
In an effort to see Australia’s mining tax include gold, the Greens are putting pressure on the Gillard Government to widen the tax, a move which would raise almost $2 billion extra over 10 years. The mining tax, once again debated in Parliament at the beginning of November, includes only coal and iron ore at the present time. Australia is the world’s second largest gold miner after China, and a recent report commissioned by the Greens stated that including gold in the tax would bring in an additional $1.8 billion over a decade. Greens MP Adam Bandt asked Treasurer Wayne […]
Mount Isa Mayor Upset over Qantas Strike
For over three months, the rumblings at Qantas have resulted in everything from work stoppages to walkouts and strikes, mainly over concerns about pay, working conditions, job security and jobs being sent offshore. The troubles culminated with Qantas grounding its entire fleet, until Fair Work Australia stepped in and terminated the industrial action between Qantas and the unions. Although flights have resumed, the bitterness from stranded tourists and businesspeople remains, and the mining industry is no exception. John Molony, the Mayor of Mount Isa, is upset over the Qantas strike and is calling for more airlines to operate in the […]
New Solar Roof for Aquarium
It is fitting that an innovative new solar project will be part of a popular Australian attraction beloved by tourists and locals alike. Work recently commenced on a new solar power system at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef HQ Aquarium located in Townsville, north Queensland. “It’s fitting that Reef HQ Aquarium, as the national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef, is leading by example to reduce their carbon footprint and help improve the resilience of the Reef,” said Minister for Sustainability Tony Burke. “This project is also unique because the solar power will be used for […]
Urine Tests “Outdated,” Says Union
According to the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), plans by worldwide mining manufacturer Caterpillar (Cat) to run drug and alcohol checks through urine-based testing instead of saliva are outdated. While the union does not oppose testing at its Burnie manufacturing plant in Tasmania, it objects to potential problems, including the risk of false readings. The AMWU – calling the proposed testing “outdated” and “messy” – is concerned that the proposed tests by Cat are focused on controlling worker lifestyles outside of work, instead of in the actual workplace. Additionally, they stated that saliva tests are much less invasive, and will […]
Apprentices or Overseas Workers?
It is a truism of all industries: every boom creates the need for more workers, and Australia’s resource sectors – mining and gas in particular – are certainly not exceptions. No matter the nature of the industry, the question remains the same: where do employers get the skilled men and women necessary to do the work? Across the nation, job seekers regularly turn out in the thousands at work fairs, eager to make connections with mining and gas companies in the hope of securing a lucrative resources job.
REpower
An unusual start to this one: the company changed its name while we were writing about it. This feature was due to be about the Indian-owned, global leader in the wind power generation market, Suzlon. But as of October 2011, REpower and Suzlon have combined their operations in the Australian and New Zealand markets. According to the announcement of the change, the new entity, REpower Australia, “will offer both Suzlon and REpower products and EPC services, ensuring the optimum product choice for customers.”
Barclay Engineering
On many of the world’s mining sites, oil and gas projects, power generation plants, construction areas, ships, industrial fabrication facilities and commercial projects, often the most important technology is that which remains not only out of sight, but literally out of sound. Mines, factories, railway yards, power plants and even hospitals – packed with motors, engines, pumps, heavy machinery and exhaust systems – are not known for being the quietest places on earth. All of these industries face the need to reduce the sound of their operations, not only for the health and safety of machine operators, technicians and other employees, but for residents living neaby.
February 26, 2018, 6:44 PM AEDT
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