EDITOR’S WELCOME

As the weather starts to warm up, and 2023 begins to wind down, it is a pleasure to bring you the final edition of Mining Magazine for the year. And what better way to charge into summer and the new year than with a copy of Mining Summer tucked under your arm?

The close of another year brings us one step closer to achieving the net zero emissions goals set by the industry. To tackle these challenges, countries around the world are working harder than ever to build reliable critical minerals supply chains. As such, Australia’s critical minerals industry was never far from the spotlight in 2023, with overseas tours to secure international partnerships, and the Federal Government pledging a $2 billion expansion in critical minerals financing.

In the final magazine of the year, we take a deep dive into tungsten and unpack the revival of tungsten projects in Australia and the mineral’s significance in the green transition.

Mine rehabilitation continues to be a priority for the industry, and in this edition of Mining we hear from Ravi Naidu from Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE) about how a unified national approach to rehabilitation and remediation of mine sites across Australia is needed going forward.

This edition also includes articles from health experts examining the dangers of silica dust, the increase in silicosis diagnoses in former miners and the mobile health units offering free lung screening in Queensland.

Innovations in mineral exploration are continuing to drive the industry, including Sydney University’s creation of the first digital map of lithium content in Australian soil and drone-based magnetometry facilitating exploration in remote and inaccessible locations.

With additional features on creating ESG roadmaps and engaging with artisanal miners, Mining Summer is full to the brim with the latest topics that are rocking the mining industry.

2023 has seen a great deal of progress and innovation across the industry and all the signs are pointing to 2024 being another big year for the industry. I wish all Mining readers happy holidays and a safe new year.

As always, if there’s a topic, project, technology or challenge you’d like to read in future editions, please feel free to flick me an email – I’d love to hear from you.

Rebecca Todesco, Editor