INTERNATIONAL MINING
> By Carl Williams
Taking the plunge
A
rich and storied mining tradition connects Canada and Australia. Both share vast mineral resources, abundant infrastructure, effective regulatory regimes and mining codes, and supportive legislation. While the influx of Australian miners to Canada has been underway for some time (including Evolution Mining, Newcrest Mining, and St Barbara), the Canadian miners and mining supply and service companies that are forging a path in Australia are less well documented. The birthplace of some of the world’s biggest miners such as BHP and Rio Tinto, Australia offers an attractive and potentially lucrative opportunity for Canadian companies looking to establish a presence or to expand current operations there. That applies to both miners attracted by its geology and mining history, and mining supply and service companies that are looking to tap a new market. According to the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, mining and quarrying was the top sector for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Australia from 2018-2020. These investments reached A$360.4 million ($331 million) in 2020, account-
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DOWN ing for over one-third (35.1%) of total FDI into Australia that year. In 202 , the mining sector ranked first for gross value added (GVA), with an 11.7% share of the country’s total GVA. Below is a selection of Canadian companies that have recently started operating in Australia.
Karora Resources
Karora Resources has two producing mines in Western Australia: the Beta Hunt underground gold and nickel mine, about 600 km east of Perth, and the Higginsville gold mine, 75 km south of Beta Hunt.
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