Aug 21, 2018

Turbines turning as FNQ wind farm nears completion

The first turbines are starting to turn at the 180MW Mount Emerald wind farm near Mareeba. They are undergoing a staged testing and commissioning process ahead of the $360 million project achieving full commercial operation in November. Project developer Ratch Australia Corporation described the testing as a significant milestone, saying it announced Mount Emerald’s “electrification” and followed the completion of the site’s substation and switchyard. “We’ve now commenced generating electricity and sending it into the grid, and we’ll be ramping up the am...

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Aug 21, 2018

Millennium cobalt under the microscope

Global Energy Metals has engaged ALS Metallurgy to perform mineralogical, comminution and metallurgical test work on drill core samples from the Millennium cobalt project in north-west Queensland. The testing builds on preliminary hydrometallurgical studies that demonstrated the potential for the recovery of saleable cobalt and copper concentrates, the company said. “Commencing the metallurgical p...

Aug 21, 2018

Tunnelling contract awarded for water pipeline project

DJ MacCormick will partner with local firm Humes to complete tunnelling and under-boring work for Townsville’s Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project. The works include tunnel boring to install the new 1.8m diameter pipeline under a section of the Flinders Highway and the Townsville-to-Mount Isa rail line. Mayor Jenny Hill announed the contract award today, saying the specialist work was cruc...

Aug 20, 2018

Rockhampton industry sets sights on major projects

Defence projects at Shoalwater Bay, the Carmichael coal development and Lacour Energy’s $800 million-plus Clark Creek wind and solar proposal are among a strong line-up at the Capricorn Enterprise Major Projects Forum on November 8. “This year’s forum will be bigger and better with information sessions on upcoming infrastructure projects in the region,” Capricorn Enterprise economic development ma...

Aug 19, 2018

Dial Before You Dig clause for council suppliers

Toowoomba Regional Council has become the first local government in Australia to endorse and require ‘Dial Before You Dig’ (DBYD) Certified Locators. Mayor Paul Antonio said the council had partnered with Dial Before You Dig to make sure all of its contractors understood the importance of looking for hidden infrastructure when they undertook construction. “Toowoomba Regional Council have been grea...

Aug 19, 2018

Conference line-up goes beyond run of the mill

‘Back to basics or back to future?’ is the theme for chemical engineer Jean-Paul Franzidis’ keynote presentation at AusIMM’s 14th Mill Operators’ Conference. But he is keeping some cards up his sleeve regarding what delegates will take away from his session. “They’ll have something to think about. I’m a bit reluctant to expand on my answer – I think it will give the game aw...

Aug 18, 2018

Tenders called for Sarina roadworks

Design works are finalised and tenders are being called for the $14.36 million safety upgrade of the Bruce Highway and Sarina Coast Road intersection, in Sarina. An average of 32 jobs are expected to be supported over the life of the Sarina Northern Access Upgrade project. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2019 and is expected to finish in early 2020, weather permitting. A new dual-lane...

Aug 17, 2018

Col shares history’s silver lining

Tea and the Opium Wars played a key role in the unfolding fortunes of north Queensland’s early mining industry, according to mining historian Col Hooper. Mr Hooper, principal of HME Consulting Engineers, will delve into the region’s mining heritage at this year’s Sir George Fisher Lecture, hosted by the North Queensland Branch of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Hoo...

Aug 16, 2018

Maiden resource released for Cape Bedford silica project

Brisbane-based Diatreme Resources has announced a maiden Mineral Resource for its Nob Point Prospect at the Cape Bedford silica/heavy minerals project north of Cairns. The resource estimate, undertaken by independent experts Ausrocks, stands at 21.6 million tonnes at more than 99 per cent purity silica. This comprises high‐grade, high‐value silica sand potentially suitable for use in high‐end glas...