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...

Indonesia's Bayan takes control of Australia's Kangaroo in regional coal merger

Australian-listed Kangaroo Resources has received shareholder approval to complete the $277-million acquisition of the Pakar coal project, in Indonesia. Kangaroo has now issued more than 2.3-billion new shares to project owner PT Bayan Resources, as well as other parties, in order to acquire the Pakar project, giving Bayan a controlling 56% shareholding in Kangaroo.

Kangaroo hopes to have four production hubs in East Kalimantan: coking coal from Mamahak and Kubah Indah and thermal coal from Pakar and GPK. Pakar  has an estimated resource of more than 3 Bt of thermal coal, with an average calorific value range of between 5 215 kcal/kg and 5 230 kcal/kg

“Bayan Resources is an experienced and capable partner with the expertise to assist Kangaroo deliver on all its objectives within the coal strategy it has developed,” said Kangaroo chairman Peter Richards.

Bayan has also suggested it could use the ASX-listed group as a vehicle to acquire other coal assets, likely in Australia.

Meanwhile, Kangaroo also appointed four executives nominated by Bayan, Darcy Wentworth, Alastair McLeod, Russell Neil and David Low Yi Ngo, to its board as nonexecutive directors.