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Lithium value share by country 2017. Image: AMEC. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND TIME is running out for Australia to take advantage of an estimated $2 trillion lithium value chain, according to the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC). AMEC is calling for collaboration between industry and Government to pounce on developing domestic downstream lithium processing, in its report A lithium industry in Australia: A value chain analysis for downstreaming Australia’s lithium resources, by business-to-business advisory service Future Smart Strategies. While Australia is the dominant global producer of mine concentrate, it is yet to implement further downstream processes such as refinement, the production of battery cells, and the assembly of systems. Each stage further down the chain adds value to the...

Atlas Iron’s future is looking brighter, having accelerated its debt repayments and exploration programs. Image: Atlas Iron. BY CAMERON DRUMMOND ONCE-BELEAGURED iron ore junior Atlas Iron will pay back a further $20 million of debt on the back of surging iron ore prices. Atlas’ lenders have also agreed to ease loan covenants, including reducing the minimum cash balance requirement at the end of each month from $35m to $15m. Atlas managing director Cliff Lawrenson said the decision to reduce debt was in line with the company’s strategy to re-position the business, and the strong Australian dollar made the timing opportune. “Following this $20m, we will have reduced our debt from more than $180m in June 2016 to less than $85...

Mergers and Acquisitions in Australia’s Energy, Mining and Utilities sector is on the rise. Image: Mergemarket.   BY CAMERON DRUMMOND   THE WA mining sector is leading the charge in the merger market on the back of increased foreign interest in a range of commodities. According to Mergemarket’s 2017 Australia M&A report, Energy, Mining and Utilities (EMU) has taken over Transportation as the most targeted merger and acquisitions (M&A) sector, with 77 deals worth a total $37.1 billion made during 2017– a 56.7 per cent increase on 2016 figures. Australia, and in particular WA, is poised for further increases in 2018 for deals in the tech metals sector, as the Federal and State Governments open doors to capitalise on growing...

BY ELIZABETH FABRI   THE controversial Wallarah 2 underground coal mine has the tick of approval from the NSW Government to begin development.   In mid-January, the NSW Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) declared the Wyong Areas Coal JV project on the Central Coast “in the public interest” and granted consent for it to produce up to 5 million tonnes of run of mine (ROM) thermal coal a year for 25 years, subject to conditions. “The Commission heard and acknowledged strong calls for it to take a precautionary approach given the potential for impacts to the Central Coast’s drinking water supply catchment,” PAC stated. “The issue has been assessed in detail. Impacts were assessed to be small and acceptable, with no net...

Mining and Energy Services Council of Australia (MESCA) national manager Alex Stanojevic. All images: MESCA.   BY ELIZABETH FABRI   THE future competitiveness of Australia’s mining industry is synonymous with the health of its Mining Equipment Technologies and Services (METS) sector. But how can companies stay ahead amid an ever-changing digital landscape?   As technology rapidly advances, the opportunities and challenges for METS companies increase with it. We spoke with Mining and Energy Services Council of Australia (MESCA) national manager Alex Stanojevic about the next wave of growth for the sector and how his industry association facilitates collaboration.   Q. What does MESCA have planned for 2018? The Mining and Energy Services Council of Australia (MESCA) is part of the Australian Industry...

BY ELIZABETH FABRI   OZ Minerals continues to expand its exploration footprint after entering an agreement to explore for nickel and copper 500km east of its West Musgrave JV project in WA, which recently moved forward to pre-feasibility.   The joint venture in the Eastern Musgrave province in South Australia with unlisted Australian explorer Woomera Exploration will see OZ Minerals commit to drilling seven shallow targets. After drilling is complete, OZ Minerals can earn up to 51 per cent equity in the project by achieving a total spend of $2.5 million in exploration activity within 18 months, and a 75 per cent stake if an additional $5 million is spent on exploration in the following two years. OZ Minerals, which...