BGC Contracting News – $30M gold win spurs contracting growth

06th Mar 2019

BGC Pty Ltd is a premier Australian construction and mining firm who was established in 1970 and are based in Western Australia (HQ). Recently they were awarded a $30 million contract as part of the development of the Ramone Gold Project which is run by Northern Star Resources Limited. This project is located south east of the Jundee Gold Mine and marks the first gold mining project that BGC has been seen in Western Australia for the past 10 years.

Read the original article here. 

South Australian Government major development declaration for Olympic Dam

14th Feb 2019

Mining company, BHP, has welcomed the South Australian Government’s decision to declare Olympic Dam’s growth plans a major development. This is an important step when it comes to lifting Australian copper production.

This declaration set by the South Australian Government is the first step in a State and Federal process that includes assessment of potential social, economic, and environmental impacts that are associated with an increase in mining and production at Olympic Dam from 200 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) to up to 350ktpa.

Read the full article here.

National Mining Chronicle – New life for an abandoned mine

06th Feb 2019

A once abandoned zinc mine at Lawn Hill is back in business thanks to New Century Resources (NCR) and National Pump and Energy (NPE). Located 250km north-west of Mount Isa in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria, the Century mine was abandoned by MMG Limited three years ago. NCR were quick to pounce on the site, in a deal that saw MMG pay NCR $46 million to take over the rehabilitation of mine site.

Read the full article here. 

Sweltering summers and scorching energy bills: Citizen scientists can help ease the sizzle

17th Dec 2018

As we slide into summer, we’re already experiencing scorching temperatures in many areas across the country.

The nation has experienced a warmer-than-average November and a number of extreme weather events, such as the recent heatwave in tropical Queensland.

Nationally, maximum, minimum and mean temperatures were all above average.

It’s perhaps to be expected then, that some Australian households will face stress as summer heats up, both in terms of the heat and rising electricity bills.

When air conditioners, extra fridges and pool pumps are in heavy use, some households are faced with tough decisions about how they balance their comfort with potential impacts on the environment and energy costs.

For the full story, go to Csiro

Source: Csiro

A rare-earth metal enigma is solved

15th Nov 2018

For the full story, go to James Cook University 

Source: James Cook University

Supercharging battery metals

31st Oct 2018

As more and more electric vehicles take to our roads, and more and more renewable energy flows into our energy mix, battery technologies become more crucial.

The electric vehicle market is predicted to grow 10-fold by 2030 and 50-fold by 2050.

So, as the demand for battery technology increases so too does the demand for the raw materials that go into them.

As a country rich in natural resources, Australia is well placed to jump on growth in battery metals.

Raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and vanadium are Australian commodities which are becoming more and more sought after.

Innovation offers a way to add greater value to these resources.

For example, increasing the quality or purity of the end product or producing the metals in a way that’s more environmentally-friendly.

For the full story, go to Csiro

Source: Csiro

Scientists may have solved one of the biggest problems holding back hydrogen-powered vehicles

13th Aug 2018

One of the biggest obstacles the hydrogen fuel industry is faced with — its transportation and storage — may have been solved by scientists at the CSIRO.

With some of the world’s biggest car companies, including Toyota, Hyundai and BMW, betting on hydrogen as a future fuel source, the national science agency has developed membrane technology to refuel cars using ammonia.

Two fuel cell vehicles, a Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo, have been successfully refuelled using ultra-high purity hydrogen produced in Queensland.

Unlike electric charge cars, hydrogen-cell vehicles can be refuelled in minutes with a range up to twice that of electric vehicles run on batteries. Technological advances are also helping to drive down the production costs of renewable hydrogen to make it cost competitive with oil-based fuel.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall says the technology, via a modular unit, paves the way for bulk hydrogen to be transported in the form of ammonia, using existing infrastructure, then reconverted back to hydrogen at the point of use, plugging the gap in the technology chain to supply fuel cell vehicles.

For the full story, go to Business Insider

Source: Business Insider

Ergon Energy Apprenticeships open for application

08th Aug 2018

Want to learn a trade and get paid from day one? Our apprenticeship program might be just what you’re looking for.

There’s a variety of trades to choose from and, when you finish your apprenticeship, you’ll be fully qualified in your chosen trade. It’s a great way to start your career!

To learn more, go to Ergon Energy

Source: Ergon Energy

Resurgent resources boosting jobs in Queensland

05th Aug 2018

Queensland’s resources sector is powering jobs growth across the State with mines re-opening, exploration surging and exports rising said the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the State’s most valuable export is delivering more than 3,500 jobs across Queensland in 2018 after a sustained uplift in the global economy.

“Resources account for about 80 per cent of Queensland’s exports and over the last two years the sector has benefitted from elevated prices and a strong tailwind from larger volumes,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“With confidence returning, new projects are emerging, old mines are being extended and mothballed mines are coming back online. We’re seeing strong investment in new gas fields and all this activity is leading to highly skilled and highly paid jobs. SEEK has more than 1,400 vacancies in mining, resources and energy in Queensland with more than half paying $100,000 or more.

For the full story, go to Queensland Resources Council

Source: Queensland Resources Council

Robot orchestra asks people to make old tech into something amazing

31st Jan 2018

Ever wondered what happened to your old floppy disk drives? Some of them might be making music as part of the Robot Orchestra in the UK.
Many of the musicians in this robot orchestra are made from old, recycled or obsolete bits of tech, like floppy disk drives. Others are classics with a twist, including motorised violas, glockenspiels and even a didgeridoo.

The conductor of this orchestra is Danielle George, an electronics engineer and professor at the University of Manchester. Her mission: to get more people making robots making music. She calls it a “citizen engineering project”, designed to get adults and kids interested in STEM by thinking differently about what robots can do.

The project was launched in 2016, and the robot musicians have come from across the UK, built by researchers, musicians, artists, engineers and children.

Click here to view video and rest of article on Create Engineering