Rio Tinto commits $100m to regional worker housing

Worker dies at Newmont’s Tanami gold mine Newmont (ASX: NMT) has confirmed a worker has died following an incident at its underground mine located about 900km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.In a statement, Newmont said emergency response procedures were immediately activated and authorities notified following reports that a person had been injured due to infrastructure failure.Activities at the site have been suspended and Newmont stated it will provide full support to assist with investigations.Minerals Council Australia chief executive Tania Constable says the MCA extends its sympathies to family, friends and workmates and thanks the emergency services personnel who responded to this incident.“Safety remains the highest priority for our industry, and any loss of life is a stark reminder of the critical importance of our ongoing efforts to ensure every worker returns home safely,” she said.“The MCA, alongside the entire Australian mining community, will continue to work hard towards eliminating fatalities across the sector.”Extending more than 1.7km underground in the remote Tanami desert, Tanami is one of Australia’s longest underground gold mines and has been owned by Newmont since 2002.

WorkSafe Victoria has charged the operator of Ballarat gold mine and a mining services company after a worker died and another suffered life-threatening injuries in March 2024.

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.”

Tivan (ASX: TVN) has established a community development initiative with the Central Land Council (CLC) to provide grant funding to support Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders in Central Australia.Tivan will provide up to $1m to fund regional community development initiatives, structured as $250,000 in initial funding, and three further annual funding stages of up to $250,000 over the next three years.Existing projects under the Community Development Program are targeted at delivering positive outcomes across health, cultural strengthening, education, infrastructure, employment and enterprise development.Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson comments on the initiative.“The board of Tivan is proud to support this landmark initiative, that will provide much needed development funding to some of the most remote communities in Australia,” he said.“For too long resources companies in the Territory have adopted an adversarial and transactional approach to land access and have focused on bare minimum outcomes in respect of Aboriginal Australians. Tivan is different. The early and genuine inclusion of Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders is a foundational principle at our company, and we are committed to furthering a durable alignment of interests throughout the project development lifecycle.“Tivan will fundamentally reshape how resources projects are developed in the Territory in the years ahead.”Tivan says that wherever possible, initiatives are delivered in partnership with Aboriginal-controlled organisations and companies, strengthening local capability and economic participation.