Algae and mining: A new frontier in sustainable site rehabilitation

Algae might seem an unlikely candidate to help transform Australia’s post-mining landscapes, but a new CSIRO -led project suggests these tiny aquatic organisms could provide sustainable futures for mine sites, surrounding ecosystems, and local communities. Looking down the microscope at the microalgae Nannochloropsis Australia’s mining sector is approaching a crossroads—where economic legacy and environmental responsibility must find common ground. A new CSIRO -led study, supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME), suggests that one of the most promising bridges between these imperatives may come from an unexpected source: algae. Though small in stature, algae are emerging as giants in their potential to transform post-mining landscapes. The study, developed in partnership with the University of Queensland and Murdoch University , proposes that algae-based technologies could reduce mining’s environmental footprint while seeding new...

Indonesia's Merukh raises $14 billion for South East Asian copper and gold projects

PT Merukh Enterprises, a major Indonesian-owned gold, copper and coal mining company, has secured a minimum funding commitment of $14 billion through a bank syndicate and international financial institutions.

“Two US hedge funds have committed to disburse $7 billion each for the needs of our projects investments,” Merukh Enterprises president director and CEO Rudy Merukh said in statement.

According to Merukh Enterprises government and public relations manager Alexander Yopi the $14 billion will be used for Indonesian projects, particularly copper mining on Lembata Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province and gold mining in Pohwatu in Gorontalo province.

The company will also complete the take over of Avocet Mining Plc’s 80% shares in gold mining company PT Avocet Bolaang Mongondow, the Penjom gold mine in Pahang, Malaysia, and all Avocet’s assets in South East Asia.

Avocet acquired 80% of PT Avocet Bolaang Mongondow from Newmont Mining Corp in 2002. In 2010 its North Lanut mine produced 47,580 oz of gold and the Penjom gold mine, Malaysia’s largest, produced 51,084 oz of gold.

Through PT Pukuafu Indah, Merukh Enterprises currently owns 17.8% of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara after selling 2.2 percent to PT Indonesia Masbaga Investama in 2010, The Jakarta Post noted.