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From September 15, China will impose export limits on antimony in a bid to restrict shipments of critical minerals in which it is the dominant supplier. According to the US Geological Survey, China was the leading global antimony producer in 2023 and accounted for 48% of production. While used to improve the hardness and strength of other metals, antimony has become increasingly popular for its use in military equipment, such as infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, night vision goggles and a hardening agent for bullets and tanks. As stated by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the restrictions are being imposed “in order to safeguard the national security and interests, and fulfil international obligations such as non-proliferation”. The limits apply to six kinds…

Manufacturing company Fabrum has collaborated on the design, build and commissioning of Australia’s largest liquid hydrogen plant at a mine site. The liquid hydrogen plant at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine in WA comprises of a hydrogen liquefaction facility, liquid hydrogen storage and a liquid hydrogen refuelling station, was unveiled today. Liquid hydrogen will be used to power Fortescue’s zero-emission mining equipment prototypes, including the offboard power unit and the hydrogen-powered haul truck prototype. The liquid hydrogen plant can produce around 350kg of liquid hydrogen per day and has 600kg of storage. Fabrum chief executive Dr Ojas Mahapatra commented on the milestone. “This is the first project we’ve collaborated on with Fortescue and it highlights the great opportunities we see to…

Ground has broken at Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) $75.4m (US$50m) Christmas Creek green iron metal project in WA, marking a key step towards developing a green iron industry in the State. The project will produce iron using green hydrogen, which will be suitable for use in almost any steel plant across the globe. It aims to produce green iron metal by the end of 2025, creating a catalyst for the next generation of Australia’s green iron industry. WA Premier Roger Cook congratulated Fortescue on this achievement. “WA is on its way to becoming a global clean energy powerhouse, and a major producer, user and exporter of green iron,” he said. “Hydrogen has an important role to play in remote areas like…

The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) has launched the Institute for Industrial Decarbonisation (IID) to drive initiatives to achieve net zero. Initiatives span technological, economic and policy innovation, aligned with green industry development opportunities. UNSW vice chancellor and president Professor Attila Brungs says the university had brought the brightest minds to tackle the problem of fossil fuels. “UNSW is launching the Institute for Industrial Decarbonisation to bring together transdisciplinary capability across faculties and specialties,” he said. “Engineering, science, business, legal, planning and design disciplines all have a contribution to make as we work with companies to chart viable pathways for positive societal impact, both locally and globally.” UNSW IID chief executive David Eyre says Australia is uniquely positioned…

Since 2018, Goldfields Explosives, a Perth-based company, has been providing blasting solutions to the Australian mining industry. By adhering to Australian Standards, the company not only helps ensure the efficient and safe handling of explosive materials but also stays ahead with up-to-date practices accessed through the Standards Australia Store. This approach allows them to mitigate risks effectively while keeping their workforce safe and operations running smoothly. Mitigating risk through industry best-practice Handling explosives in the mining industry comes with significant risks. Goldfields Explosives demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and compliance by following Australian Standards. By adhering to rigorous safety protocols, the company effectively manages the risks associated with explosive materials, supporting both operational efficiency and the safety of its…

Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) and earn-in partner AngloGold Ashanti will soon begin the first ever copper-gold drilling program at the northern portion of the Nyngan project, with about 6-8 drill holes for an estimated 4000-5000m before the summer break. AngloGold Ashanti, the world’s fourth largest gold miner by production, has a successful track record with greenfields discovery. Kincora is managing  the exploration program and will receive a 10% management fee as the program is funded by AngloGold Ashanti via the up to $50m earn-in and joint venture agreement for the Nyngan and Nevertire projects. These drill targets include an existing high priority large intrusive complex target, which is currently the focus of Fleet Space’s ongoing Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT)…

Visible high-grade gold has been reported in veins at the Titan prospect in WA, with multiple holes recording more than 10,000g/t gold. Titan, which is part of Artemis Resources’ (ASX: ARV) Karratha gold project, was subject to a work program designed to map the prospective surface veins and identify additional fertile structures that may contain gold and copper mineralisation. Not only did the ground team identify and trace several large-scale vein trends, but it also successfully identified a vein zone with abundant coarse visible gold at Titan. Rock chip samples were collected from Titan and sent to the ALS laboratory in Perth with more than 10,000g/t gold identified in three holes. Additionally, hole 24AR07-002 identified 6520g/t gold while up to…

The WA Government yesterday introduced the Environmental Protection Act Amendment Bill 2024 to Parliament to speed up the State’s environmental approvals for projects. Following the Vogel-McFerran Review that found approvals to be complex, time-consuming and costly, other State Government regulators will now be allowed to issue their own approvals ahead of the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The new parallel decision-making policy means proponents can obtain other approvals while their environmental impact is assessed by the EPA, potentially saving years in the process. WA Premier Roger Cook says this is one of the most significant reforms to WA’s environmental approval laws in a generation. “This legislation strikes the right balance – slashing green tape, removing duplication and reducing delays –…

Metso has signed a $333m (€200m) frame agreement with Reko Diq Mining for key process equipment deliveries to the Reko Diq project in Pakistan. The first order, which consist of crushing and grinding equipment, is valued at close to $166m (€100m) is booked for delivery in Q3 2024. The crushing and grinding equipment include the Superior™ 6089 MKII gyratory crushers, the Nordberg MP1250 cone crushers and the Premier™ ball mills with 51MW installed power which are equipped with gearless mill drive technology and Metso’s failsafe polymer hydrostatic shoe bearing systems. Orders for the TankCell™ mechanical flotation cells, high-intensity Concorde Cell™ units, HRT thickeners, Vertimill® and HIGmill™ regrind mills, mill reline equipment, concentrate filters and automation equipment are booked for intake…

Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) has tabled record net statutory profit, underlying profit and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in FY24. Statutory profit was up 158% from FY23 to $422m, underlying profit increased 135% to $482m and EBITDA was 67% higher to $1.51b. Evolution managing director and chief executive Lawrie Conway commented on the results. “The record financial performance and excellent progress we have made on deleveraging the balance sheet and the more than doubling of the final dividend, while continuing to invest in our various project opportunities, are testament to our strategy and capital allocation discipline,” he said. “We are ideally positioned for FY25, which will see us continue our high cash generation through planned higher production,…

A maiden ore reserve has been released for Westgold Resources’ (ASX: WGX) South Junction mine, part of the Bluebird – South Junction mining complex in WA. The South Junction maiden ore reserve reads 2.6mt @2.7g/t gold for 225koz. As a result of the South Junction ore reserve, the overall ore reserve for the Bluebird – South Junction complex has increased 233% from the FY23 ore reserve to 3mt @2.8g/t gold for 277koz. This increased ore reserve is underwritten by an updated mineral resource estimate for Bluebird – South Junction of 11mt @ 2.8g/t gold for 960koz, featuring a measured and indicated component of 4.7mt @3.1g/t gold for 465koz. Two surface rigs and two underground drill rigs are currently operating at…