University students unfazed by mining downturn

The downturn in Queensland's resources sector has not dampened the enthusiasm of students in mining heartland, with mining-related university courses remaining in high demand, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Central Queensland University, which had campuses in several communities with significant mining influence, has not reported any downturn in students keen to enter the resource sector.

OZ Minerals confident it's a good time to be building mines in Australia

OZ Minerals boss Andrew Cole says it is a good time to be building new mining projects, as the company prepares to decide on a development model for its Carrapateena copper prospect in South Australia, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Almost five years after it paid $250 million to explorer Rudy Gomez for Carrapateena, in February OZ will clarify its plans for the prospect, with a smaller, higher-grade development expected to get the nod.

Samarco chief on ‘temporary leave’ to deal with mudslide charges

Criminal charges brought over the deadly tailings dam disaster at BHP Billiton and Vale's joint venture, Samarco has seen its chief executive and chief operations officer step down “temporarily”, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Samarco said the top executives, CEO Ricardo Vescovi and COO Kleber Terra, asked to take temporary leave because “it is important for them to focus on preparing their defence”