Tivan to provide $1m in grant funding

An employee of a contracting company has died following an incident at Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Kennecott copper mine in Utah.All surface and underground mining operations at the mine have been suspended.Rio Tinto chief executive Simon Trott comments on the fatal incident.“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague, and our heartfelt sympathies are with their family, friends, teammates, and everyone in the Kennecott community,” he said.“We are working closely with the relevant authorities and contractor partners to support a complete and thorough investigation.“The safety of our people comes before everything else. We are fully focused on understanding what led to this tragedy. I will be travelling to Kennecott to support our team on site.”Rio Tinto says it is providing support, including counselling, to its team members. 

Industry mourns the passing of Tim Picton The family of Tim Picton has confirmed his death, after he spent more than three weeks in hospital following an alleged assault in Perth.Mr Picton served as Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) strategy director after joining the company in 2022 following a distinguished career in senior political and government roles across Australia.MinRes says Mr Picton made an immediate impact working alongside senior leaders, current and prospective partners as well as government, industry and community stakeholders.His extensive industry knowledge and acumen helped drive significant MinRes projects, partnerships and transactions, which strengthened the company and delivered positive outcomes for its people, partners and communities.MinRes managing director Chris Ellison expressed profound sadness at Mr Picton’s passing and extended heartfelt condolences to his family on behalf of everyone at the company.“Tim was an exceptionally talented and dedicated leader whose enthusiasm, drive and brilliant mind will leave a lasting legacy at MinRes,” Mr Ellison said.“He inspired those around him and his loss will be devastating for colleagues across our business.“Tim was a trusted colleague and a friend whose insight and advice I valued greatly. His loss is deeply felt and I will miss him enormously.”CME chief executive Aaron Morey says Mr Picton was remembered foremost for the way he treated people — with integrity, generosity and genuine care for others.“Tim brought warmth, honesty and thoughtfulness to everything he did, and those qualities were felt well beyond the boardroom,” he said.“During his time on the CME Board, Tim made a significant contribution to the organisation and to the WA resources sector, always guided by a strong sense of responsibility and purpose.”South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas extended heartfelt condolences to Mr Picton’s brother, South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton.“At this incredibly difficult time, our Government and our Parliamentary team will wrap our arms around Chris and his loved ones and offer every support we can,” he said.“Tim was highly respected across the Labor movement nationally. He served with distinction in Federal, South Australian and Victorian Labor Governments, and later as Western Australian State Secretary and Campaign Director during the 2021 WA State Election and the 2022 Federal Election campaigns.“Tim will be remembered with great warmth, respect and affection by those who had the privilege of knowing him.”

The Victorian Government has issued Victory Minerals an infringement notice for failing to report a fire for more than two days at its Ballarat gold mine located in Mount Clear.

In 1963, Dr G Yunupingu, the late visionary Gumatj clan leader, stood alongside his father, Munggurrawuy Yunupingu, at what he described in 2008 as the first mining agreement on the Gove Peninsula.