The Mining Blog

The Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition was opened in Mackay yesterday by the Queensland Deputy Premier, Anna Bligh.

Ms Bligh said that mining is the powerhouse behind Queensland’s current economic success story, with economic growth in Queensland this financial year forecast to be well ahead of the 2.5 percent forecast for the nation.

Ms Bligh said that “a big factor in this has been due to our booming resources sector. The global appetite for our coal and mining is at an all time high and prices are continuing at a high level.”

“Fuelled by massive demand from China, India and an economically resurgent Japan, Queensland’s crude metals, including coal, metalliferous ores, petroleum and other crude minerals, and processed minerals and metals totalled to $24 billion in 2004/05, which is 31 percent of the nation’s total mining exports.”

Ms Bligh said of this $24 billion, $9.5 billion was in coal exports and Queensland is the largest single coal-exporting province in the world, supplying more than 20 percent of the world’s seaborne coal to 34 countries.

“But it’s not all just about the resources we pull out from the ground and export around the world - Queensland is also emerging as a major player in mining services,” she said.

“Queensland has developed world-class equipment and services around mining that deliver process improvement and reduced costs in an industry, which by its very nature, is resource-intensive.

“The Queensland’s market for mining services generates revenue of about $1.1 billion a year in turnover.”

There will be 460 exhibitors at the Exhibition. The last time this event was held in 2004, almost 8,000 people visited the exhibition.

This year, there is also a live webcam at the show.

For those of us that are not able to visit this year, post a comment to let us know your experience at the exhibition. Tell us what you liked or didn’t like.

Calvin Close
miningreference.com - Australia’s Premier Mining Directory

How many of you read the article in The Australian where plumbers are in such short supply in Port Hedland that they are being flown in from Perth?

Apparently, the mining boom in the far north of Western Australia has left the town short of plumbers, mechanics and other trades personnel. The local trades people are taking up mining jobs with the big mining companies who are struggling to keep up with the world demand for iron ore and other mining products.

Even though plumbers are being paid $90,000 per year to fix household plumbing problems, plumbing contractors just are not able to compete with the $120,000+ per year paid by the mining companies.

It will be interesting to see how long this resources boom can last. If you look at the share market this week, the mining stock prices have certainly been up and down all week. Metal prices have also been up and down over the last few weeks. Not even the traders seem to know what is going to happen.

If you are looking for employment (of any kind) in the mining industry, check out the latest mining jobs on The Mining Jobsite. Also, even if you do not find the job you are looking for, make sure you register as a jobseeker so you can be notified of new mining positions as they are posted by our recruiters.

Calvin Close
Managing Director
miningreference.com - Australia’s Premier Mining Directory

Having spent almost 20 years in the NSW coal mining industry, I know that miners like to talk about current issues. Therefore, we have created The Mining Blog as a place for the mining community to talk about mining. If you have a topic that you would like to have discussed here on The Mining Blog, add a comment to this post and we will consider your request. This is a great opportunity for you to have your thoughts “on the web”.

Also, I thought I should tell you that we are in the process of updating the miningreference.com website. We have new features that will be added and some sections will be updated or re-designed. If you have some comments or features you would like to see, Add a Comment to this Post.

I look forward to “meeting” you as you discuss what is on your mind.

Regards,

Calvin Close
Managing Director
miningreference.com - Australia’s Premier Mining Directory