Mining nod for Adani’s Australia project stirs debate

18/04/2016 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Environment & Development

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 18.04.2016 (India Climate Dialogue): As coal prices slump and demand dips — and notwithstanding the continuing legal challenges by environmental and indigenous groups — the Queensland government has approved three mining leases for Adani Mining Pty Ltd’s (AMPL) Carmichael coal mine, rail and port project. Touted as Australia’s largest coal mine, the AUD 16.5 billion (USD 12.5 billion) project has been labelled “commercially unviable”. There are fears that it could also impact local communities as well as the Great Barrier Reef.

The three mines for which leases were granted on April 3, 2016 contain an estimated 11 billion tonnes of coal that can be used for power plants. AMPL, a subsidiary of India-based Adani Enterprises Ltd, has announced that it hopes to begin construction next year and focus “on the conclusion of second tier approvals and resolution of legal challenges”.

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Indians celebrate festivals, Australia benefits

21/01/2016 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Diaspora

By Neena Bhandari,

Sydney, 21.01.2016 (Business Standard, India): Come October and with the ripening of mangoes, the Indian community in Australia gears up for festivities that not only provide business opportunities for the Diaspora, but also make a substantial contribution to the local economy.

Diwali has been added to Australia’s multicultural calendar as one of the largest festivals. Organised by the Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) in Sydney and Celebrate India Inc. in Melbourne, the festival provides a platform for corporations and small businesses to showcase their wares. From banks and telecom companies, apparel and cuisine, henna and jewellery to media and entertainment, the festival has also found sponsors in the local and state government organisations.

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Women truckers making a mark in resource-rich Australia

15/11/2013 0 Comments read Business and Trade, Gender

By Neena Bhandari

Karratha (Western Australia), 15.11.2013: Growing up on a farm, Rosalie Hann would watch the haul trucks come in to collect wool bales and livestock. She would dream of one day driving these mammoth lorries herself. Today, the 39-year-old is an owner operator of a truck, subcontracting to Toll Energy in Dampier in the resource rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Rosalie is delighted to own and operate her own equipment in what is otherwise a very male-dominated industry. While women comprise about 50 per cent of the Australian population, they only make up around 10 per cent of the mine workforce. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Labour Force Estimates for February 2010 quarter, there were 23,260 women employed in the mining industry and 4,483 of them were truck drivers.

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