AusIMM brings International Mining Geology Conference 2026 to Brisbane

By Chloe Coutinho

Thursday, 19 February 2026

News

AusIMM will host the International Mining Geology Conference 2026 on April 21–22, 2026 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together mining geology professionals, researchers and decision-makers from across the globe.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Power lines and wind turbines.

CopperString 2032 receives $1.3b investment from Queensland Government

The Queensland Government has announced a $1.3b package to progress work on CopperString 2032. CopperString 2032 is a $5b, 1100km transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa that will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid. It includes an increased transmission capacity of 500kV (from 330kV) for the section of line between Townsville and Hughenden for renewable energy for that region. It will connect vast renewable wind and solar resources with critical minerals in mining and processing that can be used to make batteries and renewables. The $1.3b funding will get CopperString ready for construction to begin mid-2024, a significant milestone towards unlocking the North West Minerals Province and North Queensland’s renewable energy potential. The package…

Sheffield Resources: land of opportunity

CompaniesFeaturesProjects

Sheffield Resources: land of opportunity

Members of the board visit the Thunderbird project site. All Images: Sheffield Resources. SHEFFIELD Resources is advancing development of its flagship Thunderbird mineral sands project, between Derby and Broome in Western Australia, with first production to begin in Q4 of 2020. The Thunderbird mineral sands project is one of the largest, high-quality mineral sands discoveries in recent decades, and after securing all key permitting early this year, is now construction ready. The project will generate a suite of mineral sands products, including premium zircon suitable for the ceramic sector and LTR ilmenite – which would be one of the highest-grade sulphate feedstocks available globally. Sheffield Resources anticipated a two-year construction phase for the project with the Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) supporting…

Barminco has been successfully providing underground mining services at Agnew since 2010 and employs over 300 people across the site.

Barminco inks $500m contract

Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining subsidiary, Barminco, has signed a new contract to continue underground mining operations at the Agnew gold mine for Gold Fields. Agnew is near Leinster, WA and includes multiple underground operations. As part of the renewal, development and production undertaken by Barminco has been agreed for another 3-years plus a 1-year extension option. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is pleased to be extending its relationship with Gold Fields at the Agnew gold mine. “Gold Fields is one of our most longstanding and valued clients, with history of more than 30 years working alongside the various Perenti businesses,” he said. “Our Australian operations are important for Barminco to deliver enduring value…

Pilbara rail networks on track for change

Pilbara rail networks on track for change

NEW plans are in the pipeline for the Pilbara’s rail network after the WA Government and Atlas Iron announced plans to become involved, in two separate deals. Rail transport company Aurizon is drafting a state agreement with the government to create a fourth iron ore rail network in the Pilbara which could cost more than $4 billion, a close source told The West Australian. Aurizon was expected to reveal the second stage of its study by the end of June, examining how the rail line would link to North West Infrastructure’s port space at South West Creek. Atlas Iron was originally close to the project but has since become quiet on negotiations and is now reportedly looking for an alternative…

Kathleen Valley achieved first production of spodumene concentrate in late July 2024 and commercial production at the processing plant was declared January 1, 2025.

Kathleen Valley’s first year results in $193m loss for Liontown

Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) posted a $193m loss for FY25 in the company’s first year of operations at the Kathleen Valley lithium mine in WA. The statutory net loss after profit includes an $81m non-cash write-down of ore sorting potential (OSP) stockpiles, foreshadowed in the June quarter results. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano comments on the loss. “While we reported a statutory loss, this was expected in a commissioning year and reflects depreciation and the treatment of stockpiles built up during ramp-up,” he said. “What matters is that the underlying performance was positive and cash neutral. “Our balance sheet was further strengthened with the equity raising completed after year-end, taking pro forma cash to $528m and ensuring we…

Speewah is a unique resources project, hosting two separate critical minerals deposits: Speewah fluorite and Speewah vanadium.

Tivan finalises Speewah acquisition

Tivan Limited (ASX: TVN) has finalised its acquisition of the Speewah project in WA, as the company made its final payment to King River Resources (KRR). Tivan acquired the Speewah project from KRR in Q1 2023. The acquisition included all mining, exploration and miscellaneous titles that comprise the Speewah fluorite project and the Speewah vanadium titanomagnetite project. Tivan agreed to pay KRR $20m, comprised of $10m in cash and $10m equivalent of shares in Tivan. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson says the acquisition of Speewah was a transformative event for Tivan, providing the company with the foundation to build a company of strategic importance across northern Australia. “We are pleased to have fully paid down the cash consideration today,” he…

BHP will be required to limit their disturbance to animal habitats and commit to rehabilitating the local environment post-mining.

BHP pauses WA nickel

BHP (ASX: BHP) will temporarily suspend WA nickel operations citing the global oversupply of nickel. Despite significant capital investments since FY20, BHP states they have not been able to overcome the sharp decline in nickel prices driven by increased international competition and reduced demand. BHP intends to review the temporary suspension by February 2027. The transition period will commence from July 2024, with operations to be suspended in October and handover activities for temporary suspension completed by December this year. During the transition, BHP will suspend mining and processing operations at the Kwinana nickel refinery, Kalgoorlie nickel smelter and Mt Keith and Leinster operations and the development of the West Musgrave project. The company will implement a care and maintenance…

Glencore partners up on copper with $40m loan

Glencore partners up on copper with $40m loan

Glencore will provide a $40m senior loan facility to Cyprium Metals (ASX: CYM) to execute the copper cathode and concentrate offtake agreements. This new loan completes the refinancing of Cyprium’s near-term maturities. With refinancing completed, the company will now focus on bringing copper products to market. Cyprium executive chair Matt Fifield says the company’s commercial strategic partnership with Glencore continues to gain momentum. “First, our offtake agreements for copper products are in final form,” he said. “We expect to execute them alongside the loan facility in the coming weeks. “Next, we’ve been working with Glencore to streamline our access to their downstream processing facilities — the Townsville copper refinery and the Mt Isa smelter . “We have already executed…