Meeka Metals begins ore sorting upgrade at Murchison

Black Cat Syndicate’s (ASX: BC8) Lakewood processing facility has begun processing ore from the Fingals open pit and Majestic underground mines in WA.In February last year, Black Cat acquired the facility from Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX), in a move that brought forward Kal East by 15 months.Across the next 12 months, the company will invest $20m of operating cashflow to expand the processing facility’s capacity from 1.2mtpa to 1.5mtpa.Meanwhile, the Fingals open pit and Majestic underground mines continue to ramp up, with an estimated 183kt stockpile of ore currently available for processing.Black Cat managing director James Bruce comments on the milestone.“The successful ramp-up of the Fingals and Majestic mines within twelve months and within budget is a credit to the ‘can-do’ culture and experience of the Black Cat team,” he said.“The capital-efficient expansion of Lakewood will unlock further value from our Kal East operations for years to come.“Securing sufficient contracted fuel is an important outcome at a time when uncertainty persists across Australian fuel supply networks.”Black Cat says it is not currently experiencing supply issues with diesel or fuel. Lakewood is grid connected and does not require fuel for the vast majority of its power requirements.

Fortescue has removed second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) from its operations, in a move to reduce risks to native wildlife, including threatened species such as the Northern Quoll.  The change was implemented in August 2025 with Fortescue transitioning to alternative rodent control methods including first generation rodenticides, which break down more quickly in the environment. Rodent management remains a requirement at mining operations to protect infrastructure and the health and safety of personnel.  SGARs are known to persist in the environment and can accumulate in animals that consume poisoned rodents, increasing the risk of secondary poisoning in predators and scavengers.  Fortescue approvals, communities and services director Rosli Wheelock said the decision was made following internal assessment of environmental risks.  “We operate in some of Australia’s most important natural habitats, and we have a responsibility to look after them,” he said. “When we saw these products could put native wildlife at risk, we made the decision to stop using them and have moved to safer alternatives.” Recent studies have identified anticoagulant rodenticides in a range of Australian wildlife species, raising broader concerns about their environmental impact. Edith Cowan University Associate Professor Robert Davis says second-generation rodenticides are highly persistent and can accumulate through the food chain. “Reducing their use where practical can help lower the risk of secondary poisoning for native predators and scavengers,” he said. Fortescue says it will continue to monitor and review rodent management practices as part of its broader environmental management program. 

IGO: 'No pathway' for Kwinana even as lithium rebounds A recovery in lithium prices has strengthened IGO’s (ASX: IGO) Greenbushes operation, but the miner says Kwinana remains a high cost asset with “no pathway” to appropriate returns.IGO expects the lithium market's strong price growth to continue into early 2026. Average realised spodumene price increased 16% in Q2 to $1200/t (US$850/t).Despite a positive price environment, lithium hydroxide production at Kwinana declined to 35% of nameplate capacity in Q2 due to plant maintenance shutdown in late October and early November.“Kwinana production was impacted by a maintenance outage but demonstrated about 50% capacity utilisation in December,” IGO managing director and chief executive Ivan Vella said.“As IGO has noted previously, even with higher production and lithium hydroxide prices, we see the refinery as a high cost asset with no pathway to appropriate returns.”Greenbushes production was up 10% in the quarter reflecting increased ore mined and an improvement in grade following Q1’s grade and weather impacted volumes.Spodumene sales at Greenbushes were higher than the previous quarter but remain below production.“Greenbushes spodumene production improved to 352kt, after a weaker first quarter impacted by grade and weather,” Mr Vella said.“CGP3 construction was completed and first ore processed in December.“This is a significant milestone. While some schedule slippage and capex increase was experienced earlier in the project, it is pleasing that the asset is now ramping up in a strong market. We will be looking to maximise production from the asset in H2 FY26.”Nova delivered 3.8kt of nickel and 1.8kt of copper in the quarter. The operation is expected to reach its end of life by late 2026.“The Nova operation is being managed well,” Mr Vella said.“For its remaining life, the focus is on safety, stable production and managing costs. The operation is still generating positive free cash and selling into a strengthening nickel market.”IGO saw a further improvement in TRIFR, down to 5.8 from 8.0 in Q1, which the miner says is the result of its continued focus on harm prevention and safety culture.