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...

Eight global miners look to partner Coal India

Rio Tinto, Massey Energy and seven other international miners have reportedly "evinced keen interest" in partnering with state-owned Coal India Ltd. “Nine global mining firms, including Rio Tinto, Massey Energy have presented as many as 30 multi-billion-dollar proposals to Coal India for partnership (either in joint mining abroad or through joint ventures),” a senior executive of a global mining firm told The Economic Times.

Coal India produces over 80% of India's domestic coal output and the proposals made to it are for projects across Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and the US. The company's aim is to bring coal from foreign JVs at rates cheaper than the prevailing cost of imported coal and to bridge the domestic demand-supply gap, which is currently 70 Mt/y.

"Coal demand is expected to cross 730 Mt by March 2012, whereas supply would be only around over 600 Mt," the newspaper commented.