Algae and mining: A new frontier in sustainable site rehabilitation

Algae might seem an unlikely candidate to help transform Australia’s post-mining landscapes, but a new CSIRO -led project suggests these tiny aquatic organisms could provide sustainable futures for mine sites, surrounding ecosystems, and local communities. Looking down the microscope at the microalgae Nannochloropsis Australia’s mining sector is approaching a crossroads—where economic legacy and environmental responsibility must find common ground. A new CSIRO -led study, supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME), suggests that one of the most promising bridges between these imperatives may come from an unexpected source: algae. Though small in stature, algae are emerging as giants in their potential to transform post-mining landscapes. The study, developed in partnership with the University of Queensland and Murdoch University , proposes that algae-based technologies could reduce mining’s environmental footprint while seeding new...

Record Australian iron ore and coal exports

Australia's export earnings from energy and mineral resources declined by 2% to A$30.2 billion in the September quarter 2009, with a 10% increase in the value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar a major factor in the decline of export earnings during the quarter, according to ABARE's latest Australian mineral statistics report.

However, export volumes of coal and iron ore reached record levels. “Strong demand for coal and iron ore from Japan, the Republic of Korea and China underpinned record export volumes in the September quarter,” said Dr Terry Sheales, ABARE Deputy Executive Director.

Commodities recording significant increases in export earnings in the September quarter include: liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), up 47% to A$292 million; nickel, up 31% to A$833 million; crude oil and condensate, up 23%  to A$2.1 billion and liquefied natural gas (LNG), up 8% to A$1.7 billion.

However, this was offset by commodities which recorded declines in export earnings in the September quarter including: diamonds, down 22% to A$59 million; gold, down 13% to A$2.7 billion; metallurgical coal, down 11% to A$5.5 billion and thermal coal, down 9% to A$3.2 billion.

Production of around two-thirds of Australia’s major mineral and energy commodities was higher in the quarter. Significant increases in production were observed for diamonds, iron and steel, refined gold, iron ore, mined nickel and coal.