Politics & Regulation Hunter Valley coal mine extension approved to 2045 The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has approved major extension plans for the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) coal mine, allowing mining to continue until 2045.
Economics & Commodity Prices Resource export earnings could face downturn after $422b peak The September 2026 Resources and energy quarterly forecasts Australia’s resources and energy exports earnings will rise to$422b in FY27 before beginning a steady descent across the remainder of the five-year outlook.
People & Workforce MinRes’ lithium chief executive resigns Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) lithium chief executive Joshua Thurlow has resigned from his role at the company to pursue new opportunities overseas.
International Lynas launches $968m Meteoric acquisition Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) is set to acquire Meteoric Resources (ASX: MEI) and its flagship Cladeira rare earth project in Brazil in an all-scrip deal valuing Meteoric at about $968m.
Projects & Operations Bell Bay smelter gets $200m government lifeline Bell Bay Aluminium will receive $200m in support from the Federal and Tasmanian Governments to secure smelter’s operation until the end of 2031.
Projects & Operations Yancoal completes US$1.85b Kestrel coal acquisition Yancoal (ASX: YAL) has completed its acquisition of an 80% interest in the Kestrel coal mine in the Bowen Basin, Queensland, for US$1.85b in cash.
Projects & Operations Bellevue “green gold” selected to regild St Paul’s Cathedral Gold from Bellevue Gold’s (ASX: BGL) namesake project in the Eastern Goldfields of WA will supply the St Paul’s Cathedral in London for its regilding project.
Exploration & Discovery Kalamazoo builds Mt Olympus resource case as $208m hurdle looms Kalamazoo Resources (ASX: KZR) has wrapped up a major resource definition drilling campaign at its Mt Olympus deposit in WA’s Pilbara, with the final assays delivering another batch of broad, high-grade gold hits ahead of an updated resource estimate later this year.