Australia and NZ

The UK’s BG Group has approved its biggest ever investment, a £9.3 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in north-east Australia.

Following environmental approvals from the Australian government, the company will now proceed with the first phase of the project—to build a liquefaction plant on Curtis Island, Queensland.

The project will also involve construction of a 540 kilometre pipeline to move gas from the Queensland interior, where the gas will be drilled using 6,000 bore holes, to the liquefaction plant.

Australia’s fourth largest port achieved a record financial year in 2009, handling more than 83,000,000 tonnes of coal, grain and other goods. The company managing this impressive growth is Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited.

Dr Doug Jones, managing director and CEO of Chalice Gold Mines Limited, speaks to Jane Bordenave about the company’s work in Eritrea, and the shining opportunities it presents.

Advent Energy is about to begin drilling the first ever exploration well off the coast of New South Wales, in what may become one of the largest natural gas discoveries of the decade. Ben Sansom talks to managing director David Breeze about the exploration and why the prospects look so good.

Mining is often about an underground world of tunnels towards the centre of the earth. At Pike River Coal, however, the challenge of New Zealand’s geology has resulted in tunnelling uphill and a reliance on water. New CEO Peter Whittall explains all to Andrew Pelis.

The recent earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand reveals the geological complexity of the South Island. For Pike River Coal, however, while earth tremors are no major problem, geology has proved to be an uphill struggle.

The meteoric growth of Perth-based Catalpa Resources has been down to a solid strategy and a culture of excellence—as well as a dash of bravery, as managing director Bruce McFadzean tells Andrew Pelis.

Andy Haslam, managing director of iron ore producer Territory Resources, is delighted to be mirroring the growth of Asia’s resurgent economies. Jayne Flannery reports.

Australia is enjoying a boom in oil and gas exploration and development. Frans Roozendaal, managing director of Technip Oceania, tells Gay Sutton how the company is thriving in this increasingly competitive environment, and responding to the challenges it presents.

Jane Bordenave talks to Karara Mining Ltd about its Iron Ore Project and what makes it different from other ore projects.

Karara Mining Ltd was established as a joint venture in 2007 between the Australian mining company Gindalbie Metals Ltd and Chinese steel manufacturer AnSteel. Its primary function is to develop the AU$2 billion Karara Iron Ore Project, but will also be used as a vehicle to look at other future opportunities.

A start-up Australian mining company has found its own solution for getting into production, but is in no rush to grow haphazardly, as Alan Swaby learns.