MANAGEMENT

Canavan seeking to win back Korean interest in Aussie coal after Bylong setback

Canavan will meet with Korea's Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy.

 Federal resources minister Matt Canavan.

Federal resources minister Matt Canavan.

Canavan is also seeking to promote Australia's emerging hydrogen industry.

He will meet with Korea's Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy and a number of important industry groups and businesses including the Korea-Australia Business Council, the Hyundai Motor Company, the Korea Gas Corporation and Korea Resources Corp.

"Resources are one of our greatest economic strengths," Canavan said.

"To stay in our world-beating position, we must invest in emerging opportunities and promote them to the world, including our close neighbours in Asia.

"Both Korea and Japan are advanced modern-day economies. They are home to many companies at the cutting edge of new technologies and there is strong interest in how our critical minerals can advance both our economies

"As a government, we are targeting the three ‘i's to help foster our critical minerals sector - investment, innovation and infrastructure - to clear the way for more development. Our detailed plans were released earlier this year in the Federal Government's Critical Minerals Strategy."

Last week the IPC refused to approve the Kepco Bylong coal project, citing unacceptable impacts on groundwater, strategic agricultural land, and the heritage values of the Bylong Valley, as well as the mine's impact on climate change and intergenerational equity.

Kepco was planning to extract 120 million tonnes of coal over 25 years at the proposed Bylong mine, which would have created 650 jobs during construction and 450 during production.

The IPC said it was not in the public interest as it was contrary to the principles of "ecologically sustainable development".

Canavan said the visit would also reinforce Australia's potential to become a leading supplier of hydrogen to the Asian region.

"There is a real appetite for hydrogen energy in Japan, and I will be making the most of any opportunity to strengthen resource-focused business and trade relationships between our nations," he said.

"Australia is uniquely positioned to export high quality coal, LNG and hydrogen which will all have a role in Japan's future energy mix.

"Earlier this year I helped turn the sod on a half-billion dollar pilot hydrogen project in Victoria, also supported by the Japanese Government and Japanese industry, which has the potential to create $2 billion in exports for Australia.

"It is just a taste of what could come from creating a commercial scale hydrogen supply chain which could lead to billions of dollars in export earnings for Australia and help Japan meet its strategic energy targets for 2030 and beyond.

"It is one of the first steps in turning Australia into a major global exporter of hydrogen, particularly to countries such as Japan and South Korea."

Canavan will also be in Japan from September 25 to 27.

Key engagements include speaking at the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial meeting, signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan's Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, and meetings with energy and industrial heavyweights including Tokyo Gas, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsui and Mitsubishi.

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence: Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024

Exclusive research for Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024 shows mining companies are embracing cutting-edge tech

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets