Rio’s iron ore production resilient despite cyclone

By Samantha Bawden

Monday, 30 March 2026

NewsProjects & Operations

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has reported its iron ore port operations have resumed after Tropical Cyclone Narelle passed over WA’s Pilbara region.

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.

Glencore has also decided to restart the Alumbrera copper-gold operation in Argentina.

InternationalNewsProjects & Operations

Glencore eyes $2.4b copper push

Vale Base Metals and Glencore Canada have agreed to jointly evaluate a potential brownfield copper development in Canada’s Sudbury Basin.The move comes as copper prices soar, driven by supply crunches, an anticipated shortage and uncertainty as US tariffs loom.

This marks Lynas’ highest quarterly revenue since Q4 FY22.

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Lynas posts 115% revenue increase

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) recorded Q3 FY26 revenue of $265m, primarily driven by increasing prices and higher volume sales of both neodymium-praseodymium and total rare earth oxide products.The miner produces 1996t of neodymium-praseodymium, 8t of dysprosium and terbium and first production of samarium oxide in Q3.Lynas says it is closely monitoring its supply chains, including fuel supply and other raw materials affected by geopolitics and global fuel markets.“To date, we have not experienced any material disruptions due to the current global fuel supply situation,” Lynas said.“However, price increases are expected for a number of materials. It is difficult to forecast the magnitude and duration of these price increases. Our supply chain team is monitoring this closely and accelerating projects which should deliver greater efficiency.”Lynas has benefited from a reduction in diesel fuel requirements, following the full commissioning of the 65MW Mt Weld hybrid renewable power station in H1 FY26.Compared to Q3 FY25, when Mt Weld was operating a diesel power plant, the new power station has saved more than 870,000l of diesel, according to Lynas.

Rio says it came to this view through the lens set out at its Capital Markets Day in December 2025 — prioritising long-term value and delivering leading shareholder returns.

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Rio Tinto rules out Glencore merger

Rio Tinto rules out Glencore merger Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has confirmed it is no longer considering a possible merger or other business combination with Glencore. While outlooks for Rio Tinto have been rejigged with the appointment of Simon Trott to chief executive, a merger with Glencore would have been doubly surprising. According to Glencore, the offer would have seen Rio Tinto retaining both the chairman and chief executive roles and delivering a proforma ownership of the combined company. Glencore said this arrangement would significantly undervalue the company and that the proposed acquisition would not be in the best interests of its shareholders. The talks have been watched closely as copper appears central to the deal. Rio is actively building scale in copper, while Glencore brings an established global copper portfolio. But beyond copper, the companies’ portfolios are difficult to reconcile. Rio remains anchored in iron ore and has spent years simplifying its exposure to higher-emissions commodities, including exiting coal, while Glencore remains one of the world’s largest coal producers. Rio’s push to streamline around ‘future-facing’ commodities sits awkwardly with Glencore’s coal exposure — meaning copper alone may not have been enough to justify what could have been a complex integration.

Subsidy introduced for Mount Isa rail users

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Subsidy introduced for Mount Isa rail users

The Queensland Government has launched a 10% subsidy on below-rail access charges for the next four years for users of the Mount Isa line in an effort to support industry and strengthen freight corridors.The Mount Isa line is a strategic freight corridor connecting the north-west minerals province (NWMP) to the Port of Townsville, playing a critical role in keeping exports moving.According to the Queensland Government, lowering rail transport costs will enable significant cost savings for operators within the region. For example, a rail user moving .5mtpa of minerals concentrates in a bulk operation between Cloncurry and Townsville would save about $1.4m annually and $5.6m over the four years, says the Queensland Government.Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg says the four-year subsidy is about backing the industries that keep the state moving by delivering practical support they can rely on.“By lowering rail transport costs, we’re making rail a more competitive option for industry, improving freight corridors and supporting growth across the NWMP,” he said.“We know transport costs can be a real pressure on industry in the north and this subsidy will encourage a shift from road to rail, improving safety on our roads and strengthening long-term freight resilience.”Minerals concentrate, fertiliser, acid, mining inputs, refined metals and cattle are all moved along the Mount Isa line.Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says the Queensland Government is serious about unlocking the full potential of Queensland’s north-west.“Queensland’s resources are world-class, and demand is strong, with the elevating phosphate to list of critical minerals late last year,” he said.“But to meet that demand, we need to get our resources to the coast, and that’s where the Government’s Mount Isa rail subsidy kicks in.“The Mount Isa line is the backbone of the north-west economy, moving mineral concentrates, processed metals, fertilisers, phosphate rock and acid to export markets.”

BHP pays $110m to settle Samarco class action

BHP pays $110m to settle Samarco class action

BHP (ASX: BHP) has reached an agreement to settle the Australian Samarco shareholder class action filed to the Federal Court in 2018. The class action was launched on behalf of shareholders who acquired BHP shares prior to the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse. The dam collapse at the Samarco iron ore project in Brazil killed 19 people and lead to more than $30b worth of damages. The communities of Bento Rodrigues, Paracatu de Baixo and Gesteira were flooded when mine waste from the dam entered the Doce River. Other communities and the environment downstream in the Rio Doce basin were also affected. The Fundão dam was owned and operated by Samarco, a non-operated equal joint venture between BHP and Vale. Last year,…

Centurion coal backed by Queensland Government

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Centurion coal backed by Queensland Government

The Queensland Government has declared a $662m extension proposal of Peabody Energy’s Centurion coal mine as a coordinated project.

Scholars drive WA’s minerals innovation

Scholars drive WA’s minerals innovation

The WA Government has announced the cohort for the Minerals Institute of WA (MRIWA) 2025 PhD scholarships and student placement schemes. The schemes strengthen the resources sector by driving innovation in sustainable mineral production and fostering research and industry advancement, reinforcing WA’s position as a global industry leader. The scholarships have been awarded to three students that are tackling critical challenges faced by the minerals industry. Kenneth Akiti has been awarded the prestigious Odwyn Jones PhD Scholarship for his research into responsible management of retired mining vehicle batteries, addressing environmental and economic challenges. Yasamin Hamidian received the MRIWA PhD Scholarship for Women for her innovative work on developing a gas-assisted ion-selective membrane for lithium-ion extraction from tailings. Farid Ullah was…

Industry mourns the passing of Tim Picton

NewsPeople & Workforce

Industry mourns the passing of Tim Picton

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.”