Occupational health: how mining impacts workers’ well-being
In the early-to-mid 20th century, in areas where mining dominated, it was common-place to have hospitals dedicated solely to treating…
All articles by Heidi Vella
Heidi Vella
-
-
Weeding out the weak spots in mining regulations
Through the decades it is fair to say mining has earned itself a chequered reputation. The industry, driven by the…
-
Natural capital accounting: understanding mining’s impact on nature
Climate change and the global net-zero goal have acutely highlighted the importance of nature; the world and the mining industry…
-
US tariffs target Chinese graphite supply – but is it working?
Graphite, a crystalline form of carbon, is a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries. It is the sole material, besides a…
-
Sexual harassment in Australian mining: what’s changed?
The extent of sexual harassment and bullying toward female FIFO workers in the mining sector was laid bare two years…
-
Going off-grid: miners turn to alternative power supply
For mining companies, energy consumption is a major expense, comprising approximately 30% of total cash operating costs. Standard practice is for…
-
When tragedy strikes: supporting a miner’s family after a workplace fatality
A young father is killed after the loader he was driving plummets 25m down an open void. A 21-year-old man…
-
Exploring the environmental benefits of autonomous underground mining equipment
Automation and digitalisation have been hot topics in the mining industry for some time, with different companies further along in…
-
Mapping minerals remotely: how hyperspectral imaging can support exploration
Discovering new deposits of critical and rare earth minerals is paramount to delivering global net-zero ambitions. However, finding new ore…
-
Dewatered tailings: a risk reduction solution for Australia miners?
In 2019, when the Brumadinho tailings dam breached at the Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine in Brazil, wiping out an entire village and…