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...

Vietnam's Vinacom wants lower coal export tax

The Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin) has petitioned the Vientam government to reduce the coal export tax from 20% to 10% this year to help the corporation avoid further losses.

As of last month, coal stockpiles had reached 8.5 Mt, according to Nguyen Van Bien, deputy general director of Vinacomin. Despite this, Bien said, Vinacomin had incurred losses of VND8 trillion (US$380 million) every year on average for several years, because it sells coal for power production at below market prices under a Government subsidy program.

Importers still wanted to buy coal from Vietnam but offered buying prices lower than the production cost, said Bien. "As a result, Vinacomin dare not continue signing new export contracts because we're afraid of suffering further losses.”