Rio's step change is already within reach
November 2 - 8, 2009
JOHN McGagh does a good job of talking up the value of technological developments and what Rio Tinto is doing. There are four points I would like to make. Firstly, it is worth considering what happened when this British company merged/took over the great Australian company CRA (does anyone remember them?).
Mines can't handle the truth
October 26 - November 1, 2009
I WORK for a major supplier to the mining industry and have been involved in the industry for 28 years and the past 13 years marketing capital equipment. Graham Lumley is heavily weighted to the mining company side in his arguments.
'Dead kangaroo', consultants demise
February 16 - 22, 2009
YOU have to admit that China's willingness to pay about 50% more for OZ and other companies tells you what it expects the metal prices/markets to do, because paying that amount means that it thinks it is getting a bargain.
Focus on the bottom line
October 6 - 12, 2008
I THINK everyone is interested in automation. It offers not only potential labour savings, but also major efficiency/productivity gains, maintenance cost savings, and flow on capital investment savings.
Swick not fazed by competition
September 8 - 14, 2008
YOUR article on the jumbo mounted carrier that Barminco have had built has been circulating through our offices and our clients have also pointed it out to us en masse.
RIO TINTO CLARIFICATION
September 8 - 14, 2008
IN RELATION to 'Time to confront collisions head on', Rio Tinto Iron Ore advises that none of its other Pilbara iron ore mines will install the Acumine collision avoidance system before the company has fully evaluated results of its Brockman No.2 mine trial, which it plans to complete by the end of 2008.
Solar's chance to shine again
August 18 - 24, 2008
READER Simon Hicks draws our attention to a news report on a new 800mw solar power facility in California.
Western Areas clarification
August 11 - 17, 2008
THE earlier published story on Western Areas’ cash costs was incorrect, with the error the fault of Goldman Sachs JBWere. GSJBW’s amended report on Western Areas says the following: “In order to compare (Western Areas’) costs to other nickel producers, we need to adjust this for the payability. We understand that other nickel juniors receive revenue for about 65% of the contained nickel, ie 65% payability. We believe that Western Areas have more favorable terms and assume this to be 67% and thus convert the costs including the smelting and refining charge to arrive at a comparable $A/lb cash cost for 4QFY08 of about $A3.20/lb compared to the $A2.15/lb on a contained basis. We note this is lower than its peer group.”
Feedback: ironing out the bugs
February 4 - 10, 2008
Dear Editor, It is refreshing to hear a CEO such as Tom Albanese outlining his vision (see HighGrade cover story January 28 - February 3 edition).
Finding the right niche
November 26 - December 2, 2007
JUNIOR iron ore contenders hoping to be successful could do worse than study parallels between the iron ore industry and the wheat industry in Australia.
Mt Keith: a different recollection
November 12 - 18, 2007
IN THE cover story article “Tunnel Vision” you have quoted an unnamed source, presumably associated with WMC regarding Mt Keith and its early problems.
Feedback: Tyre pressure still rising
April 23 - 29, 2007
MICHELIN is making strides to better respond to booming (mining) market demand in several ways.
Generation X feedback
April 9 - 15, 2007
I WAS really pleased to see the results from across the board. Those of us who have “survived” longer term in the mining game tend to be pretty positive. Support and encouragement has certainly increased among the female ranks in my experience.
Following the leader
November 30 - December 6, 2006
LEGISLATION banning a nuclear industry that doesn’t exist: is it incredible foresight or “medieval book-burning”?
