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Mining has begun at Horizon Minerals’ (ASX: HRZ) Boorara gold project in WA, following approval in July to mine four open pits. Hampton Transport Services will undertake the work on competitive terms, with no mining contractor payments until first gold pour has been sold and funds have been received. Hampton has mobilised to and established the site with mining underway and the first drill and blast pattern fired last week to build up broken stocks in combination with free dig areas in Pit Area 2, the larger pit in the Regal zone of the Boorara ore system. Excavation has also begun on a single shift and will transition to double shift by the end of August. A second digger shift…

High grade niobium, rare earths and hafnium-rich zircon have been identified at the Bald Hill deposit within Hastings Technology Metals’ (ASX: HAS) Yangibana project in WA. A recent geological mapping and rock chip sampling program at Bald Hill uncovered multiple carbonatite-related ironstone intrusions ranging from 100m to 650m in length. Of the 104 rock chip samples reported on, 22% exceeded 1% niobium pentoxide, with a peak concentration of 23.69% niobium pentoxide measured. More than half of the samples ranged between 0.25% to 8.91% total rare earth oxide (TREO), with an average grade of 1.21% TREO. Around 9% of the samples depicted zirconium dioxide values higher than 0.1% and a peak measured concentration of 5.1% zirconium dioxide was uncovered. Furthermore, 86%…

UGL, a member of CIMIC Group, has been appointed to design and construct stage two of the Western Downs Battery in Queensland for Neoen. A 270MW/540MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and high voltage infrastructure will be installed and connected to the grid at Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub. The BESS will consist of 140 Tesla megapack 2XL units and is expected to begin operations in 2026. UGL is also constructing stage one of the Western Downs Battery, which is expected to start operations later this year. UGL managing director Doug Moss commented on the work. “We have an excellent relationship with Neoen, one of the world’s leading clean energy producers, as well as with Tesla, and we’re…

An Australian company specialising in remote communications, Acubis, has been named Rajant Corporation’s top Asia-Pacific Partner for the third time in a row. Rajant is a US based company, specialising in wireless communication technologies, and is a major supplier of cutting-edge technologies to Acubis. Rajant’s wireless kinetic mesh technology is employed by Acubis in its design of communications solutions for major Australian mine sites. This latest accolade recognises Acubis as number one throughout the Asia-Pacific region for design, system integration, support and sales of Rajant products. Acubis General Manager Jeff Berg and the whole Acubis team are proud to have received this award for the third year in a row. “I’m extremely proud that Acubis Technologies was awarded the Top…

Sandvik has signed an agreement to acquire Universal Field Robots (UFR) with the transaction expected to close in Q4 CY24. UFR is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, and provides autonomous interoperable surface and underground mining solutions. Sandvik president and chief executive Stefan Wilding says “Universal Field Robots is an important strategic addition to Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions”. “ will strengthen our growth potential and provide key capabilities in the development of our mining automation solutions portfolio going forward,” he said. With about 40 employees, UFR generated about $11.5m (SEK 80m) in FY24. Sandvik says in a statement that the impact on Sandvik’s EBITA margin will be limited, but that the impact on its earnings per share (excluding non-cash amortization effects…

BHP (ASX: BHP) had a strong FY24, with record production achieved at its Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), Spence and Carrapateena operations. Revenue increased 3% from the prior corresponding period to $82b (US$55.7b), primarily as a result of higher realised prices across iron ore and copper, with sales volumes increasing 3% and 5%, respectively. Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 4% to $42.7b (US$29b), while underlying attributable profit was up 2% to $20.1b (US$13.7b). BHP chief executive Mike Henry commented on the company’s performance. “BHP delivered a strong set of results in FY24 on the back of solid operational performance,” he said. “We delivered record volumes at WAIO, where we extended our lead as the world’s lowest…

Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) Billion Opportunities program has celebrated more than $5b in contracts and sub-contracts awarded to 200 First Nations businesses since its launch in 2011. Focusing on sustainable development, the Billion Opportunities program supports individual First Nations businesses, helping build a stronger and more resilient economic future. To amplify the program’s impact, Fortescue has been in partnership with ANZ since 2017 to provide funding to First Nations businesses. Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto commented on the program. “The success of the Billion Opportunities program is credit to our First Nations business partners who have backed this program from the very beginning,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to watch them go from strength to strength and build long lasting…

Mines across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania took part in the Minerals Council of Australia’s (MCA) Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) from August 23 – 25. Organised by MCA Victoria, the VMRC is a major annual safety training exercise involving simulated rescue scenarios for mine emergency response teams. Scenarios were hosted by Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine and the Central Deborah gold mine, both of which are in Victoria. Cornwall Coal won best overall at the event, with Ballarat gold mine coming in second and Mandalay Resources’ Costerfield operations coming in third. Now in its 31st year, the VMRC is a critical part of the mining industry’s efforts to support highly trained rescue personnel. An important part of the competition is…

A new expert advisory panel has been established to advance green metals production in Australia. Members of the green metals advisory panel were joined by Federal Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic for the first time to promote and accelerate greener metals manufacturing. The panel offers decades of experience in metals industries, financing, research, decarbonisation and industrial workforce issues. Members comprise of: Australian Steel Institute chief executive Mark Cain Australian Workers Union national secretary Paul Farrow KPMG national managing partner Paul Howes Australian Aluminium Council chief executive Marghanita Johnson Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Steve Murphy Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre chief executive Jenny Selway Chamber of Minerals and Energy, WA, chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson Minister Husic…