Craig Hill Media and Consulting
Mining
December 22, 1845 – Land for the first gold mine in Australia is purchased
The first recorded gold discovery in Australia was in 1823 by James McBrien who discovered flecks of alluvial gold in the Fish River of New South Wales. Further traces of gold were discovered in areas of the Blue Mountains in the ensuing decades. Early discoveries of gold were kept secret as it was feared that … Continue reading
December 12, 1882 – Australia’s worst gold mining disaster, to date, occurs in Creswick, Victoria
Creswick is a small town located in the heart of the central goldfields in Victoria, Australia. The town, which currently has a population of just over 3 000, was born after squatters Charles, John and Henry Creswick ran sheep in the area which became known as Creswick’s Creek in 1842. The discovery of gold in … Continue reading
December 6, 1907 – 361 miners are killed in the US’s worst coal mining disaster
West Virginia, USA, once had the reputation for the highest mine death rate of any of the states. Large scale coal operations began in Marion County, WV, in the 1880s. Between 1890 and 1912, regulation of mining conditions in West Virginia was poor, and the state’s mining industry saw numerous deadly coal mining accidents. The … Continue reading
Australia investigates corruption in Great Barrier Reef protection agency
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has ordered an “immediate” inquiry into the agency charged with protecting the Great Barrier Reef, after revelations that board members held interests in companies that could benefit from expanding coal and gas production near the reef. The revelations come as the Great Barrier Reef faces growing threats to its existence. Massive … Continue reading
US investment in Australia helps both countries in China
Massive investments by the US in Australian resources projects are helping both nations develop a healthy relationship with China, says departing American ambassador Jeffrey Bleich. “People like to spin out doomsday scenarios,” Mr Bleich told The Australian in a farewell interview. “They sell books and newspapers,” he said, of the view that China and the … Continue reading
Australia has failed to create indigenous mining jobs as promised
Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has demanded the government deliver on its promise to get indigenous people into jobs under his covenant. The Fortescue Metals Group chairman has warned that the nation is at a crucial point in politics where a bipartisan commitment is required to meet ambitious jobs targets. Mr Forrest was responding to an … Continue reading
China’s Citic fail to pay $400 million in Australian contract; can’t comprehend “rule of law” concept
Up to $400 million in royalty and purchase payments due to Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer are in dispute and have not been paid, as a rift widens between him and China’s Citic Pacific, the builder of the troubled $US8 billion ($7.8bn) Sino Iron project in Western Australia. Hong Kong-listed Citic has said it is … Continue reading
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto posts record $3bn annual loss
Mining giant Rio Tinto has swung to its first full-year loss, hurt by a sharp drop in commodity prices and almost $US14 billion in impairment charges that last month claimed the scalp of its chief executive. Rio Tinto – the world’s second-largest iron ore producer after Brazil’s Vale – reaffirmed plans to cut costs by … Continue reading
Australia’s BHP lashed on ‘colonial attitude’ in Papua New Guinea
The row between Papua New Guinea and BHP Billiton over the Ok Tedi mine heated up yesterday, with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill accusing BHP of having a “colonial era” mentality. He strongly defended his action two months ago in banning Ross Garnaut from PNG, which triggered the Australian economist’s resignation at the weekend as chairman … Continue reading
May 28 1965 Mine explosion kills hundreds in India
On May 28th 1965, methane gas caused a mine explosion near Dharbad, India, that killed 375 people and injured hundreds more. The blast was so powerful that even workers on the surface of the mine were killed. The mine was located 225 miles northwest of Calcutta near the town of Dharbad and employed hundreds of … Continue reading
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