13 October
The resources sector in Queensland has continued to deliver its 80% share of the Australian state’s export earnings in the past 12 months, according to new trade data. The state has achieved a significant share despite the disruptions caused to commodity prices in the wake of Covid-19. Queensland Resources Council CEO Ian Macfarlane said: “Queensland export earnings have been impacted by Covid-19, with total export earnings down by A$16bn compared to the previous 12 months, but we’ve still contributed 80 percent of total exports.”
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Russian precious metals producer Polymetal said that nearly 100 people had tested positive for Covid-19 at its Mayskoye deposit. Currently, the situation at the mine site is under control and the outbreak is not expected to affect any production at Mayskoye, said Reuters citing the company’s chief executive Vitaly Nesis. Globally, Russia has the fourth highest number of confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Western Australia Health Minister Roger Cook has confirmed that another six staff members on the Vega Dream cargo charter have tested positive for the coronavirus. The new cases come after BHP, which charters the cargo ship, reported the first positive case of Covid-19 aboard after the ship arrived in Port Hedland on 10 October. Cook said: “The potential new case in Port Hedland involving a crew member of the Vega Dream [does] not have a positive PCR result returned.”
