Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton may switch to gas power
Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton say they are investigating ways to convert their mines, trucks and trains from diesel power to gas, continuing a trend that has been vigorously pursued by Fortescue Metals Group, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Fortescue believes it will save $US20 million a year following a January agreement to convert its 125 megawatt power station at Solomon to gas. A 270km pipeline will soon connect Fortescue’s Pilbara iron ore hub to a major gas arterial in Western Australia.
Rio’s iron ore boss Andrew Harding said similar options were being investigated for his group’s neighbouring iron ore business.
‘Stigmatise’ fossil fuels, says green lobby
Greenpeace has joined a green backlash in defence of the Australian National University’s resource stocks blacklist, as it emerged the university’s ethical consultant shares premises with the anti-fossil fuel Australia Institute, casting doubt on its independence, according to the Australian Financial Review.
As the green lobby fought back against the Abbott government’s attacks on ANU’s boycott, hardliners Greenpeace jumped on the bandwagon, saying the “real power” of fossil fuel divestment was to stigmatise the fossil fuel industry and to draw attention to the huge contribution big coal, oil and gas make to the pollution that drives dangerous global warming.
Coal seam gas company licence cancelled after alleged breaches
The NSW government has revoked the licences of a coal seam gas company run by a lone director whose titles span 5500 square kilometres of prime rural land, in a move hailed as a “landmark” win for farmers and the community, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
It is the first time the current state government has cancelled a coal seam gas licence for compliance breaches, as it seeks to crack down on shoddy operators and build public confidence in the controversial industry.
Minister for resources and energy Anthony Roberts on Tuesday announced the government had cancelled three licenses held by Leichhardt Resources, which had permission to explore for coal seam gas near Nowra, Rylstone and Moree.
