BHP takes ‘same job, same pay’ fight to High Court

WorkSafe has reported that the 53-year-old worker killed at Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine in Victoria on December 5 was operating a cable bolter about 1.6km underground when he became entangled in the machinery.The death is the 53rd confirmed workplace fatality for 2025 — an increase from the 48 work-related deaths reported at the same time last year.

Yesterday, Australia’s Liberal Party abandoned its policy to achieve net zero — claiming emissions goals are driving up energy prices.

Australia vies for global critical minerals investment Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has launched the new Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus as she gears up to hold talks with the US in Washington this week.The prospectus highlights 49 mines and 29 midstream critical minerals processing projects ready for investment across Australia to draw international interest — creating jobs and new supply chains of critical minerals with partner nations.Minister King will represent Australia at the US-led critical minerals dialogue of ministers — hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio — and will take part in an industry forum as part of efforts to secure critical minerals supply chains.The meetings support implementation of the Australia-US critical minerals and rare earths framework signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump in Washington last year.Minister King says the meetings will be a chance to discuss Australia’s $1.2b critical minerals strategic reserve and the Federal Government’s wider support for the critical minerals and rare earths sector.“Australia has a responsibility to lead on the supply of critical minerals and rare earths globally,” she said.“Australia has the deposits and the know-how to develop critical minerals projects reliably, sustainably and at scale.”Critical minerals and rare earths projects are located in every corner of Australia and are vital for the production of clean energy, as well as for the defence industry.Last month, the Federal Government announced the critical minerals strategic reserve would initially focus on gallium, antimony and rare earths elements, which are crucial for clean-energy and high-technology manufacturing as well as advanced military equipment.Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrel says the new prospectus showcases midstream processing opportunities to international investors, attracting the investment needed to build a future made in Australia and create more high paying, secure jobs for Australians“Australia’s abundant deposits of critical minerals, alongside the expertise to extract and process those minerals, presents an invaluable economic opportunity that the Government stands ready to seize,” he said.Earlier this week, the US also unveiled a $17.2b strategic critical minerals stockpile, dubbed “Project Vault”, with aims of reducing industry reliance on China and protect manufacturers from supply disruptions.Given its dominant role in global manufacturing and processing, China is positioned to influence global industries regardless of where the raw minerals or metals were originally mined.Against a backdrop of shifting domestic policy and rising geopolitical tensions, the US-led critical minerals dialogue of ministers — which is expected to commence today — could foster international framework partnerships that have the potential to reshape both regional and global economies.

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) will further modernise approvals frameworks for its WA mining activities as the Federal Government reforms its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.Alcoa will undertake a strategic assessment of current and potential future mining areas through to 2045, to provide a holistic view of potential impacts to significant flora and fauna over a broad geographic area and provide stakeholders with greater clarity around the long-term future of mining operations.Operations at the Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines, both located in WA, will continue while the assessment takes place under a national interest exemption (NIE) granted by the Federal Government.The assessment does not impact the ongoing accredited environmental assessment of the future Myara North and Holyoake mine regions of the Huntly mine under both WA and Federal Government environmental legislation.Alcoa will continue to limit annual clearing to 800ha, increase annual rates of new rehabilitation to 1000ha by 2027 and deliver environmental offsets in accordance with the EPBC Act.Late last year, the Federal Government passed the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 to streamline decision making and overhaul existing environmental policy.While Alcoa maintains it has operated in accordance with the EPBC Act as it currently stands, it has agreed to pay $55m (US$36) through enforceable undertakings that acknowledge historical clearing. The funding supports the health of the Northern Jarrah Forest, including programs and research that improve habitat for threatened species and control invasive flora and fauna.Alcoa president and chief executive William F Oplinger says Alcoa appreciates the Federal Government’s recognition of the important contributions of its operations to the Australian economy.“We are committed to responsible operations and welcome this important step in transitioning our approvals to a contemporary assessment process that provides increased certainty for our operations and our people into the future,” he said.“We’re proud of our more than 60 years as a leading Australian aluminium producer and the role we are now playing in support of critical minerals production.”Ministerial decisions are expected by the end of 2026 and Alcoa anticipates that mining in these new major regions will commence no earlier than 2029.The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has called for rapid finalisation of workable national environmental standards and bilateral assessment and approval accreditation agreements.According to the MCA, finalisation of national environmental standards, accreditation of all states for both assessments and approvals would be a major step forward for Australian mining companies.MCA chief executive Tania Constable says Alcoa’s decision is a strong example of government working together with industry to arrive at an outcome that is pragmatic and economically sensible while still being focused on improving environmental performance.“This outcome will allow Alcoa to undergo a more rigorous method of assessment while guaranteeing operations and thousands of jobs in the local WA community,” she said.“The recent changes to Australia’s environmental laws will have a significant impact on our sector, and many are still working to understand the impact on their operations.“Faster approvals for mines mean we can deliver the critical minerals and other commodities the world needs quicker, responsibly and more efficiently.”