Associated News, page-3444

* From the AFR column "BHP steps boldly in an uncertain world":
In contrast, the company’s enthusiasm about surging nickel demand due to the world’s move to electrification ran headlong into Indonesia’s unanticipated ability to massively ramp up nickel projects.
To the consternation of Western competitors like BHP, Chinese investment in technology propelled Indonesia’s ability to produce high-quality and battery grade nickel at much lower cost.
The result was BHP’s decision earlier this year to politely ignore pleas from the West Australian and federal governments to support the industry and jobs, and instead mothball its WA nickel assets.
That means it reported a $US2.7 billion after-tax impairment, as well as a $US300 million loss for the division for the year to June.
According to Henry, the company will continue to spend money to ensure the assets can come back “if and when” there’s a recovery in prices, assuming continued growth in demand overcomes current oversupply by the late 2020s.
“The view that we hold about the market coming back into balance and prices rising isn’t a BHP proprietary view – that’s widely held,” Henry said. “But we have to be humble here and recognise that things shifted pretty quickly in nickel pricing in recent years, which reflects that there’s a higher than normal degree of uncertainty around nickel supply and demand.”

* Stanmore's gas to electricity project was the first to be funded under the QLD Govt's $520 million Low Emissions Investment Partnerships (LEIP) program. Their South Walker Creek met coal mine is near Nebo, which is around 100km by road from Moranbah (east of Hails Creek which is the furthest eastern mine shown on all QPME's preso's). So perhaps too far for a MGP hookup, but encouraging that the Deputy Premier has both finally released funding and recognises the sector's role in QLD economy:
“Our Government is absolutely committed to our 75 by 35 emissions reduction target, and to a strong future for the resources sector across Queensland.
“The LEIP program is investing in innovations that will reduce emissions that occur through the mining process that supplies the coal we need for steelmaking.
“Queensland’s high-quality metallurgical coal is a vital element in producing the world’s renewable energy infrastructure such as wind turbines and electric vehicles."
Surely talks with those close miners to the mythical Northern Hub are progressing with Safeguard penalties looming?

* Environment Minister Plibersek's rejection of Regis Resources gold mine in the NSW Central West was due to a veto on their tailings dam at the headwaters of the Belubula River on Indigenous heritage grounds.
Thankfully QPM has no such problem with a zero tailings process with the TECH.
Perhaps this shows governments are getting serious about tailings.
Some Might Say the TECH project is dead