Mining companies in Queensland's North West Minerals Province are struggling to find workers as drilling ramps up and new jobs open. AIC Mines chairman Aaron Colleran said hiring has been difficult everywhere, including at its Eloise copper mine near Cloncurry. The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association estimates the industry will need 24,000 new workers across the country by 2027. Queensland Resources Council figures point to competing skill needs and fewer young people entering trades and mining careers. Industry leaders say apprenticeships must grow to ease the shortage.
The CLP Government says the Northern Territory's mining industry is gaining momentum, with five major projects reaching final investment decision or securing committed funding since 2024. Together they represent more than $5 billion in announced investment and thousands of construction and operational jobs. Several projects are building accommodation for growing workforces, including a 252-room village at the Jervois Copper Project. Exploration investment rose 49 per cent in the June 2026 quarter compared with a year earlier. Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said Territory workers and businesses must be the first to benefit.
A draft code of standards for mine-site villages in Western Australia would give fly-in, fly-out workers bigger beds, control of their own air-conditioning and protection from random room searches. The WA Work Health and Safety Commission has drafted the standards, which cover all worker accommodation. The code is not binding, and a final version is expected next year. Architectural sociologist Jack Tooley said the changes could improve workers' wellbeing, and his firm InSite Analytics estimated that better camp design could add $1.6 billion in revenue for miners.
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Archaeologists working at Juukan Gorge in the West Australian Pilbara have collected 50,000 artefacts from the site. The team, led by Michael Slack, says Aboriginal people have occupied the site for more than 50,000 years. The rock shelter was destroyed in a mining blast by Rio Tinto in 2020, prompting international condemnation. Traditional owners say the finds strengthen their connection to the place and help them heal. The PKKP plans to reconstruct the rock shelter, which is unlikely to become a tourist attraction.
The Albanese Government has committed $10 million to upgrade Cloncurry Airport in North West Queensland. The funding adds to $11.5 million already provided by the Australian and Queensland governments through disaster recovery arrangements. The airport suffered significant flood damage from weather events in late 2025 and early 2026. Earlier funding paid for emergency repairs and flood resilience work so the airport could reopen. The new money will give Cloncurry Shire Council the remaining funds needed to finish upgrades for regular passenger services. Ministers say the airport supports aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
Australia's share market snapped a three-week winning streak on Friday as surging oil prices and doubts about artificial intelligence hit resource stocks. The S&P/ASX200 rose 0.02 per cent to 8795.2 but fell 0.13 per cent over the week. Raw materials stocks have dropped almost eight per cent since Monday and are down nearly 20 per cent from late August's record highs. A rebound in bank stocks helped limit losses across the index. The Australian dollar was buying 70.05 US cents.
NSW Parliament has passed laws creating the Future Jobs and Investment Authority to support coal-producing regions, including the Hunter, Central West and North West. The work is backed by $29.7 million in ongoing funding and more than $170 million under a new fund. Local Divisions in each region will include workers, industry, councils and community representatives. The government has also secured 400 jobs at the Mount Pleasant coal mine, with MACH Energy agreeing to a Jobs Guarantee until 2032. New rules will require mine operators to give notice of closures and plan support for workers.
BHP shareholders will meet at Sydney Showgrounds on Thursday, the first annual meeting under chief executive Brandon Craig. The miner reported copper production of 400,000 tonnes in the September quarter, down 19 per cent from the June quarter and below analyst expectations. It blamed severe weather and a fatality at its Escondida mine in Chile. Sharesies Australia's Jacki Neumann said investors will want confidence in cost control and copper returns. Pacific Climate Warriors plan to protest outside the meeting against coal expansion projects.
BHP shareholders will meet at Sydney Showgrounds on Thursday, the first annual meeting under chief executive Brandon Craig. The miner reported copper production of 400,000 tonnes in the September quarter, down 19 per cent from the June quarter and below analyst expectations. It blamed severe weather and a fatality at its Escondida mine in Chile. Sharesies Australia's Jacki Neumann said investors will want confidence in cost control and copper returns. Pacific Climate Warriors plan to protest outside the meeting against coal expansion projects.
More than 50 people joined a rally organised by Lock the Gate Alliance to call for an end to coal mining. Speakers said the swift parrot is being endangered by New South Wales approvals of new coal and gas projects. Nick Clyde said there are 17 coal mine expansion projects in the pipeline in the state. Sally Hunter asked people to urge the government to let the Maules Creek mine lease lapse and called for a plan to move mining jobs into renewable industries.
More than 50 people joined a rally organised by Lock the Gate Alliance to call for an end to coal mining. Speakers said the swift parrot is being endangered by New South Wales approvals of new coal and gas projects. Nick Clyde said there are 17 coal mine expansion projects in the pipeline in the state. Sally Hunter asked people to urge the government to let the Maules Creek mine lease lapse and called for a plan to move mining jobs into renewable industries.
Fortescue Metals Group has sacked a senior executive after an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. The company said the executive breached its policies and values. The executive was not named. Law firm MinterEllison conducted the investigation. Fortescue faces a class action in the Federal Court from female employees alleging rape, sexual assault and stalking at Pilbara mine sites in Western Australia.
Prosper Australia, a tax reform think tank, estimates Australia is losing $45 billion a year in potential revenue from mining and gas profits. Its report, written by former Victorian Treasury economist Richard Wielga, compares Australia's resource taxes with those of Norway, Alaska, Chile, Peru and Quebec. It also examines Queensland's coal royalty, which rises in steps as coal prices climb. It recommends royalties that rise when commodity prices are high, alongside a minimum floor payment.
Australian shares fell on Tuesday, dragged lower by the big banks and major miners. The S&P/ASX200 index closed 28.8 points lower at 8816.9, after recovering from an early drop of as much as 98 points. BHP shares fell 1.6 per cent to $59.50 after its quarterly copper output dropped 19 per cent to around 400,000 tonnes, below analyst expectations. NAB shares fell 1.8 per cent after the bank announced plans to cut 2500 jobs over 2026/27. Ingenia Group rose 9.7 per cent after its takeover talks with Warburg Pincus were extended, and Cochlear gained 5.2 per cent.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has lodged a complaint with Resources Victoria over dust from the demonstration pit at Gippsland Critical Minerals' proposed Fingerboards mine. The group wants an investigation into whether the site met its work plan and licence conditions. It also wants stronger dust controls and the incident considered in the final environment effects statement. Farm group president Ryan Milgate says the dust could carry traces of rare earth minerals onto nearby horticultural crops. Mine Free Glenaladale, which opposes the project, says dust travelled beyond the buffer zone.
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The NSW Government will introduce legislation to protect around 400 jobs at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant coal mine near Muswellbrook. The move follows a High Court decision that created legal uncertainty for the mine's operations. MACH Energy has agreed to a job guarantee, committing to keep its current permanent workforce until 2032. The proposed law would allow annual production of up to 16.5 million tonnes until 2032 and require existing staffing levels to be maintained. Premier Chris Minns said the intervention protects regional workers and their families before Christmas.
Katie Zacharia, fired after five days as White House press secretary, was linked to NRED Intelligent Mining, a rare earths company. A June press release said she would join the advisory board of NovaRed, then a Canadian copper and gold explorer, alongside Kristi Noem. Zacharia has said the release was fake, and a representative said she never joined. The company's website still listed her as of Friday. Phil Ehr, a former board member, said he resigned after Noem's appointment was announced. The company has since pivoted to AI-assisted mineral exploration.
