Clough win $600m LNG contract

Clough has been awarded the infrastructure construction contract for Santos’ GLNG project in the Surat Basin. It will see the contractor build more than 400 kilometres of gas and water transmission pipelines, and two compression facilities, as well as an 800 person camp. The contractor will also expand existing compression facilities. Construction work is scheduled to begin this month, and at the peak of operations employ around 650 people. “This is a significant project award and represents a breakthrough for our recently established coal seam gas division into the expanding coal seam gas industry,” Clough CEO John Smith said. GLNG is a project aiming to convert coal seam gas into LNG for export, and is part of Santos’ clean energy drive. It sources CSG from the Bowen and Surat basins then transports it, via a 420 kilometre underground pipe, to a two-train LNG plant on Curtis Island. GLNG is a joint venture between Santos, PETRONAS, Total, and KOGAS. * By Cole Latimer on 15 September 2011

Coal exploration his record highs, ABS says

Despite uncertainty in the market, coal exploration has hit record highs, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show. A report yesterday showed that more than $207 million was spent on coal exploration in the June quarter, far above the previous record of $122 million in the December quarter, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. This close to double the previous corresponding June period, and comes on the back of a 33% jump in thermal coal prices forecast for the next 12 months, and a 50% hike in the prices for coking coal. Iron ore exploration nearly doubled for the quarter, to $214.7 million. Total exploration for the quarter was also a new high, sitting a $907 million, up nearly a third from $650 million three months earlier. By Cole Latimer

Employment outlook bright for regional Qld

Mining projects help to boost the State's employment market as national hiring optimism continues to dwindle, Manpower survey shows. login to full article

Mining boom fuels trade surplus

CHINA and India's demand for Australian mining riches has kept the country's trade surplus at $1.8 billion. Official figures released yesterday showed the trade surplus for July was broadly unchanged despite a 0.9 per cent drop in the value of exports - much of it a result of the delayed recovery from the Queensland floods, which hit coal production. The fall was counterbalanced by a 0.9 per cent drop in the value of imports. It is the fifth consecutive month Australia has recorded a trade surplus, where the value of exports outstrips the cost of imports. Most economists expect the gap to widen as exports increase above the $26.4 billion recorded in July, with commodity prices forecast to remain at record highs. BY STEPHEN MCMAHON Herald Sun Read more...

Operation shut over asbestos fears

Canberra's construction industry could face weeks of delays, with plasterboard distributor Boral shut down yesterday over fears for the safety of workers. Late yesterday, WorkSafe ACT issued the Barrier Street plasterboard distribution centre with a prohibition notice, forcing the company to immediately close its doors. For months the agency had been working with Boral over fears crumbling asbestos walls in the ageing Fyshwick building were placing workers in danger. Work Safety commissioner Mark McCabe said company practice was to stack plasterboard against the asbestos walls. Workers reported fork lifts regularly struck the walls, breaking asbestos sheeting apart. As The Canberra Times revealed last fortnight, WorkSafe ACT had ordered a clean-up of the site and had also issued an improvement notice. It also required the company to conduct regular tests to ensure workers were not put at risk and ordered Boral to screen workers for any exposure to the dangerous substance. BY BIANCA HALL Read more...

RIO INVESTS IN PILBARA IRON ORE WATER SUPPLY

Rio Tinto will invest more than $300 million to ensure a water supply for its Pilbara iron ore operations. The coastal water supply project, which will involved the construction of a new borefield and pipeline system, will be completed by the middle of 2013, and provide enough water, around ten gigalitres annually, to accommodate the expansion of annual production up to 333 million tonnes. By Cole Latimer Read more...

DAM AND PIPELINE PROPOSALS FOR GALILEE BASIN

The Queensland government is looking at private sector proposals for the $4 billion development of a new wharf at Abbot Point and dam in central Queensland. The government said the projects were an important part of the development of the coal rich Galilee Basin in western Queensland. One of the major constraints to activity in the basin is its lack of water, which the Government hopes will be solved by the $2.6bn Connors River Dam and pipelines proposal The development will include a 49,500 megalitre dam and two pipelines. By Andrew Duffy Read more...

Construction begins search for State's best

Nominations for the 2011 Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) Excellence Awards have opened, providing an opportunity for the State’s building and construction industry to showcase its top individuals and organisations.

Open to all levels of the Queensland building and construction industry, the Awards honour the training and skilling achievements of students, schools, trainers, training organisations, industry employees and employers.

Nominate OHSA

QLD STRUGGLES TO MEET RESOURCE JOBS BOOM

Thousands of jobs in the mining industry are up for grabs in Queensland thanks to the resources boom, but the state is struggling to meet the demand.

Premier Anna Bligh estimates that up to 3500 vacancies are unfilled.

"We estimate there are up to 3500 vacancies right now in the resource industry and we intend to make sure that as many Queenslanders as possible can take them up," she told Couriermail.com.au.

by Rita Mu

Read more...

Mine Awareness program Gold Coast in September

Mine Awareness Program - Gold Coast

Thursday September 15, 2011 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST

Red Cross Hall

Bookings Essential Register here

Read more about Mine Awareness Programs

Standard 11 Mining Inductions learn more

Resources Industry Expo

Resources Industry Expo

RESOURCE industry job expo's will be staged in the following areas. 'These expo's aim to connect Queenslands unemployed with mining and construction companies who want willing workers. Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement following a mining jobs summit on the Gold Coast between resource company executives, the state government and councils.



Where will the Mining job expos be held?

• Cairns - Monday 17th October at the Cairns Civic Centre
• Gold Coast - Wednesday 19th October (check with your local council for venue details)
• Sunshine Coast - Friday 21st October at the Caloundra Events Centre
• Whitsundays - Tuesday 25th October at the PCYC Airlie Beach
• Fraser Coast - Friday 28th October at the Brolga Theatre in Maryborough

Learn more at the OHSA website Click here

watch video from recent Mining Summit held on the Gold Coast

Coast a top hub for fly-in fly-out miners

THE Gold Coast ticks all the boxes to be a hub for fly-in fly-out mine workers, according to BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance.

BMA asset president Steven Dumble said several cities in Queensland, including Cairns, were courting the company but the Coast was a front runner.

Mr Dumble said any proposal for a fly-in fly-out base would be measured against three criteria: available air transport infrastructure, community support and available workers.

Given the city's high unemployment rate of 8.1 per cent, there is little doubt many Gold Coasters would be willing to work in the mines.

Lucy Ardern

Read more...

BLIGH SLAMS GREENS COAL SEAM GAS STANCE

Queensland premier Anna Bligh has said the Greens must accept the science on coal seam gas just like it does with climate change.

It comes after Greens leader Bob Brown questions whether using coal seam gas would reduce global emissions, AAP reports.

"There is absolutely no doubt that if Australia wants a cleaner energy future, then gas has to be a part of that and it has to be a part of our transition," Bligh stated.

By Cole Latimer

Read more...

MACMAHON WINS UNDERGROUND CONTRACT

Macmahon has won a $110 million underground construction contract at the CSA mine.

Work at the Cobar based copper gold mine in NSW will see Macmahon undertake the project works as a turnkey contract.

This includes all engineering design, fabrication, procurement, construction, and management of the extension and upgrade of the CSA No.1 Shaft.


By Cole Latimer for Mining News

Read more...

Brisbane Mining Induction - Limited spaces available

Brisbane Mining Induction

Hurry!!

Limited spaces available for Brisbane Standard 11 mining Induction for September 15-16 2011.

Contact our office today to secure your place.

PH: 1300 647 200

EMAIL: info@ohsa.com.au

Click Here to download Course Registration form.

learn more about this popular course. Click Here

Upcoming Mine Awareness Program dates

Mine Awareness Program - Gold Coast

Thursday August 11, 2011 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM EST

Red Cross Hall

Bookings Essential Register here



Mining Awareness Program - Logan

Thursday August 25, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST

Springwood Towers

Bookings Essential Register here

Learn more about the Mine Awareness Program click here

Online MAP books ready to read now Click Here

Other OHSA publications available Click here

Standard 11 RTO Mining Inductions every week

OHSA now offers the RRTO Standard 11 Mining Inductions weekly.


where: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and coming soon Ipswich.

Mining Inductions weekly on Monday - Wednesday and Friday to Sunday in all areas.

Check dates in your area OHSA Training calendar

Don't miss out, places are limited on each course.

LEIGHTON TO SELL HWE TO BHP

Leighton Holdings has signed a Heads of Agreement for the sale of HWE Iron Ore to BHP Billiton in Western Australia.

David Stewart, Leighton’s CEO, said BHP’s intention to move to an owner operator model is well known and the sale of HWE and its assets is a positive for both companies.

“The Heads of Agreement relates to the mining equipment, people and related assets that service the Area C, Yandi and Orebody 23/25 operations. The three operations collectively account for around 70% of BHP Billiton’s iron ore mining in WA and currently represent around $1.1 billion in revenue and $1.4 billion worth of work in hand for Leighton,” Stewart said.

The sale is estimated to be around $705 million.

Read more...

By Cole Latimer for Miningaustralia

HAYS LAUNCHES MINING JOBS WEBSITE

Recruiting firm Hays has launched a new major projects jobs website where jobseekers can view the opportunities available on major oil and gas, resource and mining, energy and construction projects in Western Australia.

Dedicated to jobs on major projects, from design through to construction and engineering, the site can be accessed at www.hays.com.au/majorprojectswa

Commenting on the site’s launch Simon Winfield from Hays in Western Australia said: “With 57 major projects underway or in the pipeline in the oil & gas, resource & mining, energy and construction industries, Western Australia will create a record number of major projects jobs. Already Western Australia shows the greatest jobs market strength of all states and territories in Australia.

Read more...

By David Wheeldon for Mining Australia

Resource RTO Mining Inductions conducted weekly by OHSA

OHSA are please to announce that we are currently running weekly Mining Inductions throughout South East Queensland.

You can be trained every Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday.

Top find a course near you, check the OHSA training calendar

OHSA has dates listed right up until the end of 2011.

Spaces for each of the Resources RTO Mining Inductions are limited. Don't miss out book today.