Author: Alya Malik Faisal

Gold is expected to overtake LNG to become Australia’s second highest value export in FY26, according to the September 2025 Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ). Australia’s gold export earnings rose 42% to $47b in FY25 and is forecast to grow a further 28% to $60b in FY26 before stabilising in FY27. That track will see gold become Australia’s second-largest export earner after iron ore. According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DIRS) REQ, gold prices climbed above $5600/oz (US$3700/oz) in mid-September and is forecast to remain above $5100/oz (US$3,400/oz) as global demand for safe-haven assets persists. This increase in gold prices comes as US interests cuts occur — lowering the opportunity cost of holding gold — and worries…

An interim report into the FMG Nicola’s sudden engine failure has been released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), with the bureau now investigating why it was not made aware of the incident until five months later. The bulk carrier, fully laden with iron ore, departed Port Hedland on February 7 when the ship’s engine suddenly shut down about an hour into the voyage. A full report did not reach the ATSB at the time of occurrence and the watchdog only became aware of the potential seriousness of the incident after media reporting five months later. On the morning after the incident, the ship’s local agent submitted the appropriate incident reports, including to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s local…

The US Department of War (DOW) will take an equity stake in Trilogy Metals to advance exploration and development in the Ambler mining district in Alaska. Under the terms, South32 has agreed to sell more than 8.2 million shares in Trilogy Metals to the DOW for about $26.9m (US$17.8m). South32 will reinvest the estimated $26.9m into Ambler metals to support exploration and development. South32 chief executive Graham Kerr comments on the decision. “We see great value in the US Government’s intention to develop the Ambler mining district,” he said. “It is our aim to unlock the potential we see in this region, and secure critical mineral supply chains for the US and create enduring economic activity and shared value for…

Noveon Magnetics and Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a scalable and domestic US supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets. Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate to develop a rare earth value chain in the US from the supply of separated rare earth oxides to the manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets to serve key US defence and commercial customers. The scope of the agreement includes the provision of both light rare earth (LRE) and heavy rare earth (HRE) materials, developing expanded metal, alloy and magnet production and supplying high performance finished magnets to end-users across defence, automotive and industrial sectors. Noveon Magnetics chief executive Scott Dunn comments on the…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has appointed Sarah Standish as joint company secretary effective immediately. Ms Standish has 20 years of experience in leading legal, governance, risk and compliance functions at ASX-listed and international companies involved in the mining and energy sectors. Additionally, she previously served as general counsel and company secretary at St Barbara (ASX: SBM), general counsel at Imdex (ASX: IMD) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Derek Oelofse and Ms Standish will act as joint company secretaries and share responsibility for communications with the ASX. Ms Standish replaces Mark Wilson, who resigned from the role of joint company secretary. Mr Wilson will continue his role as MinRes chief financial officer.

University of South Australia researchers have identified ways to overcome barriers to safely and profitably increase the life of solar panels and decrease the overall footprint of solar energy. Australia leads the world in per-capita rooftop solar installations, the systems of which typically have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years but in practice are removed or replaced much sooner. Australia’s quick uptake of solar panels is creating an emerging waste problem with most solar photovoltaic (PV) panels being directed to landfill at the end of their life. UniSA PhD student Ishika Chhillar led a study into key barriers to the sustainable reuse of solar panels and developed a mitigation strategy for what would be needed to fully realise a…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Mitsui and Nippon Steel will invest $1.1b (US$733m) to develop new iron ore deposits in the West Angelas hub in WA. The deposits will maintain the hub’s total annual production capacity of 35mt under the West Angelas sustaining project — which has received all necessary State and Federal Government approvals. About 600 jobs will be created during construction. Once operational, the project will help maintain a workforce of about 950 full time equivalent roles at the West Angelas hub. Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Matthew Holcz comments on the project. “The West Angelas sustaining project is built on strong and committed partnerships, both with the joint venture members Mitsui and Nippon Steel, as well as…

Nova Minerals’ (ASX: NVA) US subsidiary Alaska Range Resources (ARR) has been awarded $65.5m (US$43.4m) to produce antimony trisulfide at its Estelle gold and critical minerals project in Alaska.  The 24-month agreement will allow ARR to accelerate development of a fully integrated US antimony supply chain to extract, concentrate and refine stibnite to produce military grade antimony trisulfide to assist in meeting the US defence industrial base demands.  The project is funded through the US Department of War (DoW) Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritisation (MCEIP) directorate’s Defence Production Act Purchases office and awarded through the Defence Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) other transaction agreement (OTA).   Nova Minerals chief executive Christopher Gerteisen comments on the award.  “We are proud to have ARR…

Metallium’s (ASX: MTM) US subsidiary, Flash Metals USA, has executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a subsidiary of Glencore focused on electronic scrap supply and metal offtake in the US. Metallium managing director and chief executive Michael Walshe comments on the partnership. “Executing a MOU with Glencore marks a defining milestone for Metallium,” he said. “Glencore ranks among the world’s most successful diversified natural resources companies, and its Horne Smelter in Quebec is North America’s largest processer of electronic scrap containing copper and precious metals. “For Metallium to be directly engaged at this level validates the strength of our flash joule heating (FJH) technology and our US expansion model. “This agreement secures critical feedback supply, covers a significant share…

Sandvik has introduced the Newtrax Control Room Editor, expanding the capabilities of the Newtrax Mining Data Platform (MDP). This technology allows users to create, update and delete data without network connectivity, ensuring continuous and reliable access to crucial information. Newtrax Control Room Editor strengthens data validation by comparing manually entered data with automatically collected telemetry, reducing information gaps and increasing confidence in decision-making. The technology digitises manual workflows and extends read-and-write capabilities underground, making it possible to update and view asset locations on a 3D map, capture machine health data linked to maintenance actions and connect to any data source through active web forms. Sandvik Mining head of mining data platform automation Lior Herman comments on the new feature. “We…

Victory Metals (ASX: VTM) has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Sumitomo Corporation to advance offtake and strategic cooperation for the North Stanmore heavy rare earth project. The agreement outlines a pathway for pilot scale product testing and early sales through Sumitomo, to be commenced in 2027 ahead of full commercial production. It also establishes the intention of establishing a long-term offtake relationship once Victory starts production at North Stanmore. Under the LOI, Victory will supply up to 30% of annual production, or 1000tpa of mixed rare earths carbonate (MREC) including up to 50t of dysprosium and terbium product for an initial five-year term. The December 2024 MOU, which expires on October 31, 2025, represented the first…