NBN recruitment drive to create Australian jobs
A recruitment drive carried out by NBN Co. to employ workers to construct the national broadband network in Perth will lead to creation of jobs. Through its “Active Job Seeker Campaign,” the company seeks to employ people with experience in sectors including mining, boatbuilding, road and bridge construction, electricity distribution and transmission and electronic and precision equipment repair.
Adani coal mine will boost budgets, create 'tens of thousands of jobs'
Australia is looking to back a concessional loan of almost $1 billion that will be used for constructing the world’s largest coal mine. The loan to Indian conglomerate Adani Group comes as the Carmichael project has been affected by protestors citing environmental concerns.
Iron ore spot markets post decline in fourth consecutive session
Iron ore continued to undergo a downslide on Tuesday. This comes as spot markets recorded a decline for the fourth session in a row. As Chinese futures remained on the lower side, the probability of the decline to extend into Wednesday looks likely.
Medicinal cannabis access ‘elephant in the room,’ campaigner says
Medicinal cannabis campaigner Lucy Haslam said scores of users of the drug can be deemed criminal, as she emphasises on the need to make access to the drug easier. Referring to the issue, she says there is an “elephant in the room” concerning access to the drug.
Australia, India to 'pursue continued growth in trade'
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull discussed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the prospect of exporting more coal to India and enhancing the number of Indian students travelling to Australia during his first day of the visit to the country. However, he underplayed the prospect of a free trade deal between the two countries.
Iron ore plunges further to enter bear market
Iron ore has made an entry into the bear market, with analysts forecasting further weakness of Australia’s largest export. As noted by Metal Bulletin, the spot price for benchmark 62 percent fines declined by another 1 percent to reach US$74.71 (AU$99.52) a tonne on Monday.
Coal exports disrupted by Cyclone Debbie expected to improve
Queensland’s coal exports are expected to see an improvement later in the week. Following the disaster left behind in the wake of Cyclone Debbie, repair work of rail links responsible for transporting millions of tonnes of coal to port is underway.
Prefab building company to cut outsourcing, bring jobs to Australia
Prefabricated building company Arkistruct, based in Brisbane, has announced it will be supporting local manufacturing by bringing back its business to Australia. Arkistruct is shifting its business by having its equipment shipped from a factory in China that developed its prefabricated panels.
Thermal coal producers to close supply gap following Cyclone Debbie
Coking coal market has witnessed a supply gap following the effects caused by the disastrous Cyclone Debbie. The thermal coal producers will be endeavouring to close this gap by altering their thermal supplies to fulfil the demands of the steelmakers.
Renewable energy production in South Australia crosses target of 50 percent
South Australia witnessed its green energy production reaching record levels. With this achievement, the state looks set to reach its renewable energy target of 50 percent eight years ahead of schedule.
Iron ore sustains heavy beating, records largest one-day decline in a year
Iron ore spot markets fell heavily on Friday, marking the first biggest decline in terms of percentage in more than a year. As noted by Metal Bulletin, the spot price for benchmark 62 percent fines slid by a considerably large margin of 6.76 percent to settle at US$75.45 (AU$100.47) a tonne.
PM Malcolm Turnbull commits to exporting coal, uranium and renewables to India
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will give India the assurance of providing coal, uranium, gas and renewable energy technology. The recommitment will come as Turnbull and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet in Delhi on April 10.
Australia inching towards free trade deal with EU
Australia is inching closer to signing a free trade deal with the European Union. The development comes following a conclusion of what has been called a “scoping exercise.”
Aerospace company Boeing's new programme to create 250 Australian jobs
Aerospace company Boeing is establishing a new office in Adelaide, which will lead to the creation of as many as 250 jobs. Scheduled to open next week, the new office will support advanced military systems and engage in research and development.
Iron ore futures plunge, expanding likelihood of a larger drop
Chinese iron ore futures sustained a downfall on Thursday evening. This raises the likelihood of spot markets showing weaker performance on Friday.
Rio Tinto development projects to create 1,000 jobs
Rio Tinto Iron Ore said in a statement that its development projects will lead to the creation of as many as 1,000 jobs. This comes as Western Australia’s new Premier Mark McGowan referred to the financial situation of the state as “the worst since the Great Depression.”
Australia live export trade sees introduction of new player
Vessel Yangtze Harmony, which marks the introduction of a new player in Australia’s livestock exporting sector, has started its first voyage. The ship, carrying as many as 12,500 sheep, is currently headed for Oman.
Medicinal cannabis research underway, receives grant from Turnbull government
The Turnbull government will be awarding the University of Melbourne almost $500,000 for enhancing the production scale of medicinal cannabis. The program aims at bettering the process of extracting parts of cannabis plants that can be used as an alternative form of treatment for chronic pain.
Australian power grid on 100 percent renewable energy possible through hydro storage
A secure and inexpensive Australian power grid running on 100 percent renewable energy can be constructed by pumped hydro storage, a new study from the Australian National University (ANU) reveals. The power grid, producing zero emissions, will require wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to run, along with pumped hydro storage, according to lead researcher Professor Andrew Blakers.
Iron ore prices bounce back, post new high in three weeks
Iron ore spot markets bounced back to climb upward on Wednesday. The news comes as trade resumed in China following a four-day holiday.
Coal prices jump, set new high following disruption in Australia
Coal prices experienced a sharp spike in the wake of the deadly Cyclone Debbie, which has had significant impact on the mining industry in Queensland. Chinese metallurgical futures climbed by more than 7 percent to reach $255 a tonne on Wednesday. This sets the highest recorded level for the prices since December.
Mining company FMG ties up with Australian, Chinese universities for research model
Mining company Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) will be collaborating with universities from Australia and China to introduce a mining and cooperation innovation research model. The universities involved in the tie-up are University of Western Australia (UWA), the WA School of Mines at Curtin University, Central South University (CSU) in Changsha, and Sun Yat-San University in Guangzhou.
Medicinal cannabis legalisation can reduce opioid deaths, comedian Wil Anderson says
Comedian Wil Anderson has spoken about using medicinal cannabis on a regular basis as a remedy for osteoporosis that he has been suffering from for years. He emphasised that the product, should it be legalised in Australia, could save lives.
Australia’s trade surplus for February outdoes expectations
Australia reported a higher than expected seasonally adjusted trade surplus of $3.57 billion for the month of February. The rise was backed by increasing prices in iron ore and plunging imports of consumer goods, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Iron ore remains largely quiet as China celebrates Tomb Sweeping Festival
Not much action was seen in the iron ore spot market on Tuesday as China celebrated the Tomb Sweeping Festival holiday. While there was marginal betterment on Tuesday, the prices continue to trend below $80 a tonne.
Coking coal rockets to new high following devastating Cyclone Debbie
Coking coal market witnessed a significant spike on Monday, escalating by as much as 15 percent to settle at $175.70, according to Steel Index. The gain was seen as the largest since May 2013.
Etsy launches caucus to help elevate microbusiness needs
Etsy announced the launch of the Congressional Microbusiness Caucus last month in an effort to elevate the requirements of microbusinesses. Formation of the bipartisan caucus was co-chaired by US Congressional representatives Barbara Comstock, Anna Eshoo, Tim Ryan and Patrick Tiberi.
No more brown-coal-fired stations will be shuttered, Victorian Liberal leader says
Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy has said the party will not be shuttering any power plant fuelling the power requirements of the state should Coalition win the government. He said the brown-coal-fired stations fulfilling the electricity needs of the state would be kept.
Earthworks project in Western Australia to create 150 jobs
Mining services organisation MACA has been designated as the preferred tenderer for the bulk earthworks package at the Gruyere gold project in Western Australia. Nevertheless, the mining company will be named the official contractor in April. The work is expected to begin before the end of the current financial year.
Coal exports heavily affected by flooding from deadly Cyclone Debbie
Exports of coal from the world’s biggest coking coal region are expected to be heavily impacted by the damage caused to rail lines in northeast Australia. The catastrophe comes in the wake of Cyclone Debbie, which resulted in damage to an area of 1,000 kilometres.
