An Evaluation of the Australian Coal Flotation Standards

Mining operations often send samples for testing to commercial laboratories. Unless a customised test is requested, they expect laboratories to use standard procedures, which are reproducible. A thermal coal and a metallurgical coal were sent to eight laboratories, which were requested to perform a basic flotation test (AS 4156.2.1–2004) and a sequential flotation procedure test, i.e., standard tree test (AS 4156.2.2–1998). This study compared the reports produced by the various laboratories and compared them with the requirements laid out by the Australian standards. It was found that many elements were missing in most cases, probably due to the fact that some of the requirements of the standard, such as size analysis, are offered as other services. The basic tests generally agreed with one another whilst the sequential tests presented more variations. A quantitative analysis of the variation in the yield–ash curves produced by the sequential procedure was conducted using dynamic time warping (DTW). This approach can be used to numerically compare yield–ash curves and perform statistical comparisons.

Green pivot: can Australia master the hydrogen trade?

Australia is in a bind. It is at the heart of the pivot to clean energy: it contains some of the world’s best solar irradiance and vast potential for large-scale carbon capture and storage; it showed the world the path forward with its stationary storage flexibility at the much vaunted Hornsdale power reserve facility; and it moved quickly to capitalise on low-carbon hydrogen production. Yet it remains one of the largest sources for carbon-intensive energy exports in the world. The extractive industries are still delivering thermal coal for power generation and metallurgical coal for carbon-intensive steel making in Asian markets. Even liquefied natural gas’s green credentials are being questioned. Are these two pathways compatible? The treasury and economy certainly benefit. But there is a huge opportunity to redress the source of those funds and jobs, while fulfilling the aspirations to reach net zero emissions by 2050. In our estimates, the low-carbon hydrogen economy could grow to become so substantial that 15% of all energy may be ultimately ‘carried’ by hydrogen by 2050. It is certainly needed to keep the world from breaching 2°C. Can Australia master the hydrogen trade? It is believed that it has a very good chance. Blessed with first-mover investment advantage, and tremendous solar and wind resourcing, Australia is already on a pathway to become a producer of green hydrogen below US$2/kg by 2030. How might it then construct a supply chain to compete in the international market with established trading partners and end users ready to renew old acquaintances? Its route is assessed to mastery of the hydrogen trade, analyse critical competitors for end use and compare costs with other exporters of hydrogen.

Potential effects and impacts of a coal spill on sensitive aquatic habitat: a weight-of-evidence sediment quality assessment

On 11 January 2014, a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailed on the Canadian National Railway Company's Yale Subdivision, Mile 122.7, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. This derailment resulted in the partial release of metallurgical coal from three rail cars into, and adjacent to, Silver Creek. Following the derailment and subsequent spill, a comprehensive coal recovery program was implemented. As part of the program, coal deposits were removed from the Silver Creek mainstem in the right-of-way during the stabilization work. A total of approximately 143 tonnes of mixed coal, organic and mineral fines were removed during this program. Subsequently, using a weight-of-evidence sediment quality triad approach, a two-year Aquatic Impact Assessment was conducted to evaluate whether the remaining residual coal in Silver Creek and Burnaby Lake presented the potential for impact to the aquatic environment. Lines-of-evidence (LOEs) were evaluated, including sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, bioaccumulation potential and coal content. The majority of the data from exposed sampling locations indicated that there was low potential for impact, based on the assessed LOEs. Hence, given the overall low potential for residual impacts from the coal deposits in the Silver Creek–Burnaby Lake ecosystem, no further clean up or monitoring was recommended.

DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT AND IMPORT OPERATIONS IN THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY

As a result of the research, system approach to the management of mining, utilization, export and import of national coal resources has been formed. The comparison of export and import prices for metallurgical coal and anthracite led us to the conclusion that export-import operations are ineffective, since export prices for anthracite are lower than import ones. It has been proved that it is unprofitable for the national economy to export coal at low prices in situations of coal mining reduction in Ukraine. Analysis of black coal, anthracite (2701), coke and semi-coke, retort carbon (2704) export and import`s geographic structure has been made. It has been found out that the Russian Federation and the USA are the main importers of black coal and anthracite, export flows were concentrated in Bulgaria, Turkey, Belgium and the Russian Federation. It has been specified that coke, semi-coke and retort carbon (2704) during 2011-2018s were imported mainly from the Russian Federation, the USA and Poland. Export destination was the Russian Federation. It has been proposed to use system approach to rational mining, use of the country's available mineral resources, taking into account exportimport flows, external and internal markets pricing, as well as the resource component of national security.

Brazil’s dam disaster alters iron ore market dynamics

Subject Iron ore market. Significance China, which represents 70% of seaborne iron ore demand, has seen its port inventories fall after the tailings dam burst at Vale’s Brumadinho mine in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state in January. The 1.5-billion-tonne market is tightening as the particularly heavy cyclone season has also idled infrastructure in northern Australia. Steel mills are responding by restocking and prices are rallying above 100 dollars per tonne, up more than 50% year-on-year. Impacts China’s Chinalco leaving talks to buy Rio Tinto’s stake in Guinea's Simandou project clouds the future of West Africa’s largest deposit. Singapore Exchange's launch of a high-grade 65% iron ore derivative contract is a new step to financialise this market; more will come. The penalties imposed on alumina impurities in iron ore will increase if prices of metallurgical coal remain strong. If the United States decides to expand its tariffs on steel imports, iron ore would be one of the casualties. After seven years’ absence, magnetite is in demand to fill a gap in iron ore quality, with China already buying 4 million tonnes.

World and European markets of metallurgical coal, coke, steel. Achievements and innovations in coke production. Perspectives (analytical review of materials of “European coke 2018” summit)

Analytical review of EEC economy status presented, as well as world and European markets of metal, metallurgical coal, coke, steel and prices tendencies. Examples of achievements in operation and innovations in coke production given. Perspectives of steel industry and coke production development outlined.

Tariffs accentuate poor iron ore market fundamentals

Significance High inventories in Chinese steel mills have reduced steel and iron ore prices this year. Concerns about retaliation against the US tariffs are accentuating the trend. Prices of iron ore, metallurgical coal and rebar steel fell on the Dalian Commodity Exchange last month after Beijing announced it will retaliate against the tariffs. The drop in the iron ore price since February is particularly concerning, given that China’s crackdown on scrap imports is boosting iron ore demand and that seasonal weather patterns traditionally reduce Brazilian and Australian production this time of the year. Impacts Brazil supplies one-third of China’s iron ore imports; these will be costlier as Brazil’s congress is raising royalty rates from 2% to 3.5%. Restart delays after Samarco’s 2015 tailings dam disaster will hold back 20 million tonnes of high-grade pellets per year, likely into 2019. Having come into operation at the start of this year, the S11D mine in Brazil will be the world’s largest iron ore within three years.