Latest news with #Rockhampton
ABC News
16 hours ago
- ABC News
'Disgraceful' act leaves 200 old tyres in Isla Gorge National Park
Authorities have spent more than $100,000 and delayed bushfire safety work to remove hundreds of illegally dumped tyres from one of Queensland's most pristine national parks. The tyres were found in a deep ravine in Isla Gorge National Park, south-west of Rockhampton, during a bushfire in October. The Department of Environment and Banana Shire Council launched a joint investigation and finished removing 200 tyres this week. The ABC understands a 130-tonne crane used for the clean-up cost more than $100,000 to hire. Authorities believe a business or individual has been dumping tyres in the same location, off the Leichhardt Highway, for months. The national park is a maze of gorges and sandstone outcrops popular with bushwalkers and campers. Senior Ranger, Chris Job said the tyres posed a significant fire risk and had polluted a highly sensitive environment. "They all look very similar in degradation, so I would say they [were dumped] within the last year," Mr Job said. "We believe someone in the region knows who is responsible ... and we are asking anyone with information to call us." The illegal dumping has delayed the department's bushfire hazard reduction plans. "Isla Gorge had a large planned burn for this season for hazard reduction … with those tyres in the deep ravine it was unwise to burn," Mr Job said. "It's quite a large fire risk — 200 tyres going up in one single location would put a lot of toxic smoke up and is, obviously, horrible for the environment." The tyres will be sent to a recycler for processing. Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said the dumping was unacceptable. "It's just disgraceful," he said. "Whoever did this clearly has no regard for the land, our national parks, or the people who care for them. "The Isla Gorge is one of the most beautiful parts of our region and to see it treated like this is heartbreaking." People can report illegal dumping to the Department of Environment or their local council.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Resources Top 5: QMines grows precious metals position in central Queensland
QMines is acquiring the high-grade Mount Mackenzie gold and silver project Peak Minerals has discovered high-value monazite at the Minta rutile project in Cameroon A fully underwritten, non-renounceable entitlement offer will see Zenith Minerals raise up to $3.5m Your standout small cap resources stocks for Thursday, June 19, 2025 QMines (ASX:QML) Set to expand its precious metals position in central Queensland through the pending acquisition of the high-grade Mount Mackenzie gold and silver project is QMines, which advanced 7.7% to 4.2c. The company believes this will complement its gold, copper and zinc interests at the Mt Chalmers and Develin Creek projects in the historical mining region that is relatively unexplored. It has completed due diligence and is in the final stages of acquiring Mt Mackenzie from Resources and Energy Group (ASX:REZ), which jumped 37.5% to a daily top of 2.2c. The $2.48 million acquisition is expected to increase QMines' (ASX:QML) gold and silver exposure, supporting its strategy to develop a diversified minerals portfolio in central Queensland. Mt Mackenzie is an advanced staged project, about 140km northwest of Rockhampton and 45km from QML's Develin Creek copper-zinc landholding. The existing shallow resource comprises 129,000 ounces of gold and 862,000 ounces of silver and is open in all directions. QML is updating the mineral resource estimate, with results anticipated soon. On completion of the sale REZ will receive $1m in cash, inclusive of a $100,000 deposit, and 33m QML shares, voluntarily escrowed for 12 months. In support of the acquisition and near-term development plans, QMines has entered into a convertible note arrangement with a major existing shareholder to provide $1m with an additional $500,000 available upon request. QML executive chairman Andrew Sparke said the company was delighted to confirm its intention to complete the Mt Mackenzie gold-silver project acquisition. 'The project is a highly strategic and value-accretive addition to our asset base, increasing gold and silver exposure and providing operational synergies with our Mt Chalmers and Develin Creek projects,' he said. 'The strong financial support from one of our largest shareholders, via the secured convertible note on favourable terms, demonstrates confidence in our strategy and capacity to execute.' QML is in the final phase of planning a drilling program at Mt Mackenzie, focusing on confirming historical high-grade gold and silver results such as 36m at 4.4g/t Au and 25g/t Ag, 26m at 12.78g/t Au and 34g/t Ag and 12m at 14.93g/t Au and 61g/t Ag. Peak Minerals (ASX:PUA) The discovery of high-value monazite by Peak Minerals at the Minta Est prospect stands to boost the economics of the heavy minerals package at the Minta rutile project in Cameroon. Monazite trades at about three times the value of rutile and zircon, presenting PUA with significant economic upside at Minta. This has seen Peak put in a strong performance on the ASX, rising as much as 21.05% to a daily high of 2.3c, a new four-year high, with more than 84m shares changing hands. PUA closed at 2.2c, a rise of 15.79% on the pre-trading halt close. Sampling at Minta Est has returned Heavy Mineral (HM) results along with mineral assemblages and rare earth element distribution results. Assays were received from an additional 36 residual and 11 alluvial holes at Minta Est over an initial 121km2 and further assays are pending. The average depth of all holes reported on Minta Est to date is 4m, with all holes intersecting mineralisation from surface. In-situ grades of 0.5%-1.2% TREO were achieved from free-dig material in monazite separated by conventional mineral sands processing methods. Recent and historical samples show assemblages of up to 73% monazite, up to 35% rutile and up to 28% zircon at Minta Est. There were encouraging returns of high-value magnet rare earths in excess of 25% MREO, including up to 22.5% NdPr light rare earths and up to 2.7% DyTb heavy rare earths. The ongoing reconnaissance drill program at Minta aims to systematically test an initial 3,500km2 over broad drill spacings to identify higher-grade areas for follow-up infill drilling. The project has not previously been subject to modern exploration techniques and the company is utilising cost-effective, hand auger drilling to target the mineralisation from surface. Hand auger drilling is widely utilised for drilling heavy mineral sand deposits and is particularly effective in the residual soils at Minta due to the stability of the drilled formations. 'It is very exciting to release these new drilling assay results representing an entirely new high- grade discovery at Minta Est, located across 121km2 in the northeast portion of Minta rutile project,' Peak Minerals chief executive officer Casper Adson said. 'Monazite makes up to 73% of the heavy mineral assemblage at Minta Est, positioning the project as a potential high-value, world-class asset. 'Importantly, the separated monazite contains up to 22.5% NdPr and 2.7% DyTb - key magnet rare earths critical to the global energy transition. 'Mineral sands deposits typically contain up to 0.1% in-situ total rare earth oxides (TREO). 'The potential discovery of a mineralised zone with significantly higher rare earth content, hosted in free-dig sands that require no drill-and-blast or crushing and milling, is truly exceptional. 'Even more remarkable is that the monazite has been successfully recovered using only standard mineral sands beneficiation techniques, such as gravity and magnetic separation.' Zenith Minerals (ASX:ZNC) With a fully underwritten, non-renounceable entitlement offer to raise up to $3.5m underway to accelerate exploration and resource growth at its gold projects, Zenith Minerals reached a high of 4c, a lift of 33.34% on the previous close before closing at 3.6c. Funds will support a 9000m-12,000m drilling campaign at the newly consolidated Dulcie gold project in Western Australia as well as deep diamond drilling at the Red Mountain gold project in Queensland. At Dulcie, drilling will be focused on growing the 210,000oz mineral resource estimate, strengthening the path towards commercial production. The funds will be raised through a two for seven offer at 3c per share with a one-for-three free-attaching option. Showing their confidence in the company and its gold strategy, the raise will be strongly supported by Zenith's board and management. The company's managing director Andrew Smith will sub-underwrite $150,000 and non-executive director Euan Jenkins $100,000 while other directors will apply for their respective entitlements. Noble Helium (ASX:NHE) (Up on no news) Noble Helium (ASX:NHE), which is answering the growing need for a primary and geo-politically independent source of helium with its projects along Tanzania's East African Rift System, has been a big mover, up 58.33% to 1.9c although there's no fresh news. Four projects are being advanced according to the highest ESG benchmarks to serve increasing supply chain fragility and supply-demand imbalance for this scarce, tech-critical and high-value industrial gas. Priced at up to 50 times the price of LNG in liquid form, helium is essential to many modern applications as an irreplaceable element in vital hi-tech products such as computer and smartphone components, MRI systems, medical treatments, superconducting magnets, fibre optic cables, microscopes, particle accelerators and space rocket launches. Rising demand and constrained supply are fuelling growth prospects within the global marketplace, particularly for cleaner 'green helium' sourced from non-carbon environments. At present, more than 95% of the world's helium is produced as a by-product of the processing of hydrocarbon-bearing gas. Javelin Minerals (ASX:JAV) On a fast-track to mining at the 112,000oz Eureka gold project near Kalgoorlie in WA is Javelin Minerals, which reached 0.3c today, before easing right back to 0.2c. The company is taking steps to mine the ~34,000 recoverable ounces within the 62,000oz indicated resource and is in advanced discussions with mining and processing contractors. With the gold price sitting above A$5200/oz, JAV is closing in on the goal of unlocking the substantial value of the resource in a cost-effective and timely manner. Javelin Minerals is considering several options for milling nearby, including the Paddington gold operations owned by Zinjin Mining Group Co which is just 20km away. Engineering studies and the approval process for the restart of mining are well advanced, with the board aiming to be mining within 12 months. The mining strategy is being advanced in parallel with exploration at Eureka and a new drilling program is planned to follow up strong results next to and below the Eureka pit. These areas are considered to be priority exploration targets with excellent potential to grow the resource, both at Eureka and their Coogee gold project nearby. 'Our plan to generate early production and cashflow at Eureka is now the primary focus of the board for the Eureka gold project, which has been endorsed by strong interest from third parties to partner with us for the project's development in the short term,' JAV executive chairman Brett Mitchell said. 'Based on the discussions to date, we are confident that this strategy will prove extremely effective in creating rapid value in the current record high A$ gold price environment, whilst we continue the exploration program to grow the overall inventory at both our Eureka and Coogee gold projects.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh banned by stewards for anabolic steroid positive swabs
A young Queensland trainer renowned for boasting a sensational winning strike has been disqualified for 12 months by racing stewards after an anabolic steroid was detected in one of his horses. Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh was slapped with a trio of 12 month bans relating to the anabolic steroid Stanozolol being detected twice in out of competition testing and once in post race testing. However stewards ordered that the disqualifications be served concurrently. It is a landmark case, given that Racenet understands it is the first time Stanozolol has been detected in a Queensland thoroughbred racehorse since a total ban on anabolic steroids in racehorses was introduced in 2014. 'QRIC is dedicated to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards the use of prohibited substances,' Queensland Racing Integrity Commission deputy commissioner Kim Kelly told Racenet. 'Detecting, responding and deterring non-compliance with the Rules of Racing is a key function of QRIC. 'QRIC will continue to utilise all available measures to ensure participants comply with the Rules. 'This includes 'anywhere, anytime' sampling regime which necessarily includes unannounced and unpredictable out of competition sampling which compliments robust race meeting sampling.' The stewards' inquiry heard that Stanozolol was detected in samples collected from Sailor's Rum in two out of competition samples and also a post-race blood sample when Sailor's Rum competed in a 1200m race at Rockhampton on December 19 last year. Sailor's Rum finished fourth that day after being strongly backed from $3 to $2.10. Walsh, who once represented Australia in rodeo, has trained 155 career winners at the outstanding strike rate of 32 per cent. He has always enjoyed a strong strike-rate but it was off the charts in the 2022/23 season when Walsh-trained horses won at a strike rate of 42.7 per cent. Walsh's best horse has been sprinter Hell, which won seven races for Walsh including three in Brisbane since transferring from the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable in Victoria. Following Walsh's disqualification, Hell was transferred to fellow Rockhampton trainer Tom Smith. The stewards' report relating to Walsh's disqualification notes: 'Stewards considered a significant amount of documentation, inclusive of, but not limited to, expert scientific evidence, expert veterinary evidence, six months of veterinary records of horses trained by Walsh, six months of personal and business banking account records of Walsh and analysis of mobile phone data from Walsh's personal mobile device.' Walsh pleaded guilty to all three of the racing charges he was issued with by stewards. In relation to Stanozolol, the stewards' report noted: * The evidence failed to identify how the substance, Stanozolol, came to be in Sailor's Rum's system at the relevant times * The nature of the substance, Stanozolol, which is well known to be performance enhancing * That there is no legitimate use in thoroughbred racing for Stanozolol Stewards gave the managing owner of Sailor's Rum, Brandon Diplock, an opportunity 'to attend the original stewards inquiry or alternately make written submissions in relation to this matter, on behalf of the ownership group, prior to any determinations being made. 'Mr Diplock did not request to attend in person and did not make any submissions for consideration,' stewards noted, before disqualifying Sailor's Rum from the race on December 19. It is understood Walsh intends to lodge an appeal on the grounds that the penalty was too severe. Meanwhile, stewards considered the provisions of Australian Racing Rule 248 which relates to 'administration of anabolic androgenic steroids and/or selective androgen receptor modulators.' 'In assessing the rule and given that the sample collected from Sailor's Rum on 20 December 2024, had an anabolic androgenic steroid detected in it, the provisions of AR248 (4)(a) and (b) were invoked and Sailor's Rum is not permitted to start in any race, official trial or jump-out for a 12-month period commencing 20 December 2024, until receipt of an Androgenic Clearing Certificate,' the stewards' report reads.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ABC News
Man injured in army vehicle rollover near Australian military training area
A man has been taken to hospital after an army vehicle rollover near a major Australian military training ground in central Queensland. Emergency services were called to the St Lawrence Road section of the Bruce Highway at Ogmore about 2.20pm after a Bushmaster truck rolled. The Queensland Ambulance Service said one man with minor injuries to his leg was treated by paramedics and was taken to the Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition. At 4.30pm, a Queensland Police spokesperson said the Bruce Highway remained open to motorists. The incident happened just north of the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area, located about 100 kilometres north of Rockhampton. The Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area is a large area primarily used for military training exercises by the Australian Defence Force [ADF] and the Singapore Armed Forces [SAF]. The Bushmaster is a Protected Mobility Vehicle that serves many roles in the army. It can deploy up to ten troops and it's armoured V-shaped hull protects its passengers from landmines and other explosive devices. The ABC has contacted the Department of Defence for comment.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
See the hidden shortcuts to winning the apartment race
At 25 years old, pharmacist Amelia Wootten managed to secure an apartment of her own – but with an increasingly competitive market and rising prices, it took a little help to get one she could afford. Having moved back to Brisbane in 2024 after several years in Rockhampton, Ms Wootten said she was eager to find a home without the constant presence of housemates or family. But when she started to look for apartments, she found she was competing with too many people to find an affordable home in an area close to her job. 'There was a super original place in Nundah, and that had, I reckon, 40 or 50 people going through it,' she said. 'It felt very disheartening, I think, for a young buyer to be looking at how many people were going through and going, 'I'm just not going to get anything'.' Ms Wootten's search came as apartment price growth across Brisbane was found to vastly outpace that of houses, according to research from Nuestar and Hotspotting. The research found 76.3 per cent of apartments across the city were showing stronger growth than houses over the 12 months preceding June. 'I think that with the rate going down and everything, it got a little bit more competitive,' Ms Wootten said. 'I think there's a lot more people looking for apartments rather than houses.' 'A lot of the [Rockhampton] houses were priced at what apartments would be here … what you're getting for 500k is a lot more, but obviously it's living in a regional area.' Place New Farm agent Karen McBryde, who was able to find Ms Wootten a Stafford apartment off the plan, said she could see the gap between house and unit prices in the suburb 'already closing'. 'Amelia paid $500,000 for a one-bedroom unit,' she said. 'An entry level, very basic post-war house in the area is a minimum of about $900,000. So even just that comparison alone, it appears to me like a one-bedroom unit is fairly unaffordable still.' 'My biggest piece of advice would be to communicate with the agents that you're dealing with, so that you can find what options are available,' she said. 'When you make an inquiry, do include your phone and your email address in your inquiry. Make sure you're providing the agent the information to send you back any listings that they have.' Ms Wootten said communicating with agents and family, and getting the chance for private opportunities, was what finally allowed her to get the unit she dreamt of having. 'It's helpful having people around you that have done it, or that know what they're doing,' she said.
