Australian government creates Radioactive Waste Agency

Beijing's already cut coal miners working hours by 16% and plans to eliminate 500 million tonnes of coal capacity within just 3–5 years.

Today, with the gold-mining sector in good financial shape, some historic mines in the region are being revived or expanded.

The University of South Australia has formed a collaborative research funding partnership with Centrex Metals Limited in a bid to use the cutting-edge technology to significantly reduce energy and water usage, and therefore the cost of mineral processing using molten salts.

"The shift schedules are demanding. The work is repetitive. There are issues trying to keep people engaged in the work that they are doing."

Combined these mining and metal giants are worth $700 billion with operations in every corner of the world.

Rumours follow Rio's decision to group its least loved units — coal, uranium salt, borates and its Iron Ore Co. of Canada — under a new umbrella branded as the “energy and minerals” business.

Chief executive Andrew Mackenzie believes the iron ore market will take longer to balance out than other commodities due to an excess of supply coming on stream in the next few years.

Andrew Harding, once tipped as the most likely person to take the company’s reins, is being replaced by Chris Salisbury, currently leading the copper and coal division.

Despite only taking several minutes online, and costing less than the morning newspaper and cup of coffee, many Australian businesses are failing to protect their legal rights of ownership.