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Tag: COVID-19

Bauxite expansion delayed as COVID-19 bites

Written by dev on . Posted in All News.

Metro Mining expects to put back its planned $51.4 million Bauxite Hills expansion due to uncertainty sparked by the COVID-19 crisis.

Completion of Stage 2 and the associated expanded production was not expected to occur prior the second half of 2021, Metro said.

The Stage 2 expansion, taking the Cape York operation to 6 million WMT (Wet Metric Tonnes) per annum, has attracted a NAIF offer of a loan facility of up to $47.5 million.

In an update this week, Metro said work had been completed on the detailed engineering and design work, and that contractual negotiations. . .

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Glencore provides COVID-19 testing for Mount Isa

Written by dev on . Posted in All News, Energy.

Glencore, Queensland Health and the Laura Johnson Home have joined forces to secure COVID-19 testing equipment for the Mount Isa Hospital.

Glencore has provided $45,000 for a new GeneXpert IV-4 instrument, cartridge and nasal swab collection kit that will enable local testing, and dramatically reduce the timeframe for test results.

Until now, COVID-19 nasal swab samples had to be flown from Mount Isa to Brisbane or Townsville for analysis.

North West Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Dr Karen Murphy welcomed the new equipment, saying it was vital that the region expanded its local testing. . .

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BHP funding backs vaccine development

Written by dev on . Posted in All News, Coal.

The BHP Foundation has committed $2 million to support the University of Queensland (UQ) to advance a COVID-19 vaccine in clinical development.

It’s one of eight promising vaccine candidates globally currently supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) rapid response program, with potential to be manufactured at scale and made available around the world.

“This generous commitment from the BHP Foundation has the potential to change lives worldwide by fast-tracking the development of promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate now undergoing preclinical safety and efficacy studies,” UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said.

“We have been. . .

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Glencore's Mount Isa Mines

Council reaches out to businesses on COVID-19

Written by dev on . Posted in All News.

Mount Isa City Council is reaching out to gauge the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on the region's businesses to assist in its decision-making process for the next 12 months.

The council said it was contacting hundreds of local businesses and was also encouraging all interested businesses to submit an impact statement.

“We are in unprecedented times and it’s important we make informed decisions," Mayor Danielle Slade said.

“COVID-19 restrictions have been put in place by the Queensland Government, in accordance with directions and recommendations made by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer and in the best. . .

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BHP funds COVID-19 testing centres for CQ

Written by dev on . Posted in All News.

BHP will allocate $7.6 million from its recently created Vital Resources Fund to set up COVID-19 testing centres in Moranbah and Proserpine.

It's a move that will ease the strain on local health facilities and increase the separation between suspected cases and the local community.

The company was determined to play its part in the significant collective respons, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) asset president James Palmer said.

“While it is critical for the economy that we continue to safely operate our mines, we understand local concern about the risk of people moving into the region,” Mr Palmer. . .

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Glencore launches $25m community fund

Written by dev on . Posted in All News, Coal, Copper, Exploration.

Global miner Glencore has launched a $25 million community support fund in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company operates more than 180 sites and offices in more than 35 countries, including its Central Queensland coal operations and the copper and zinc business in North and North West Queensland.

It says the new Glencore Community Support Fund is designed to be responsive and complement existing efforts by local teams to provide the support their communities most need at this time.

"Our assets and offices are best placed to respond to COVID-19 in their regions and. . .

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Council unveils relief package for Rockhampton

Written by dev on . Posted in All News.

Rockhampton Regional Council has voted to immediately roll out a relief package worth up to $1.3 million to help support local businesses and community groups.

The package includes: 

  • No additional interest on outstanding rates until further notice
  • Lease fee refunds for eligible sporting and community groups
  • Existing business licences extended until June 30 2021
  • Rent relief for commercial tenants
  • Cash contribution of $20,000 each for two local animal welfare agencies – Capricorn Animal Aid and Central Queensland Animal Society
  • All Environmentally Relevant Authorities extended for a. . .

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Bauxite Hills operations set for early April restart

Written by dev on . Posted in All News.

Metro Mining plans to restart production at Bauxite Hills on Cape York early next month after its wet season break.

The company said in an update to the market today that one area of particular focus as it resumed mining was the health of its Indigenous employees and the threat the COVID-19 outbreak posed to their communities.

"Our travel and work procedures take these issues into account, and we are constantly monitoring any changes to travel and other restrictions in these communities so we can adapt accordingly," the company statement said.

Metro said its shipping schedule for the first. . .

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BHP chips in with $50m community fund

Written by dev on . Posted in All News, Processing / Manufacturing.

BHP will establish a $50 million Vital Resources Fund to help support regional communities around its operations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement follows BHP’s commitment to step up payments for small, local and Indigenous suppliers and to employ a further 1500 people to support its Australian operations.

“We know COVID-19 will require a significant collective response from governments, businesses, communities and individuals across Australia," BHP chief executive officer Mike Henry said.

"We are determined to play our part as we work through this challenge together.”

Vital Resources Fund spending will be focused on. . .

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Call for expenditure relief for explorers

Written by dev on . Posted in All News, Exploration.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) is calling on all State and Territory Governments to implement a moratorium on tenement rentals and associated costs for mineral exploration licences. 

“The human impact of COVID 19 and the safety of those in our industry is the number one priority for AMEC and its members,” AMEC chief executive Warren Pearce said.

“Each of our member companies is systematically implementing management plans across their operations to protect against the risks of COVID 19 and substantial resources are being allocated to ensure employees and companies are prepared,” Mr Pearce said.

“However, the broader. . .

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