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$798m Vecco project inches closer to development The proposed $798m Vecco critical minerals project in Queensland is one step closer to development after receiving coordinated project status. Queensland’s coordinator general for Vecco has given ‘coordinated project’ declaration to the project, paving the way for multiple environmental approvals from the Queensland and Federal governments. The Vecco project would see an open-cut mine built around 70km north of Julia Creek along with a critical minerals processing plant which would supply minerals for use in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for grid scale energy. Queensland coordinator general Gerard Coggan commented on the...

Dynamic Metals forms lithium joint venture with MinRes Dynamic Metals (ASX: DYM) and Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) have formed a lithium-focused joint venture on the Widgiemooltha project in WA. In March this year, Dynamic entered a binding term sheet for a farm-in and joint venture agreement with HoldCo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mineral Resources. Dynamic holds 60% of the joint venture while HoldCo has the remaining 40% with the ability to increase its stake to 65% by sole funding a further $15m on exploration over four years. HoldCo can earn up to an 80% interest by sole funding expenditure through...

QRC report confirms mining confidence, warns against policy Queensland Resources Council (QRC) member companies are remaining confident about the continued strong demand for the State’s commodities. Despite this, the companies have identified government policy and regulatory uncertainty as the biggest concern for the resources sector. QRC chief executive Janette Hewson says the report shows there is good reason to be optimistic about the future of Queensland’s resources industry. “As the State Election approaches, our message to all political parties is that balanced, stable and consistent policy settings are critical to securing the investment that will ensure the resources sector can continue to underpin Queensland’s...

WesTrac upgrades fluid analysis capabilities A new scheduled oil sampling laboratory established by WesTrac at its Tomago, NSW, headquarters has gone live, giving customers access to industry-leading testing and analysis services. Recently introducing three automated instruments known as AutoLabs, WesTrac has integrated and automated six separate fluid analysis tests, doubling its testing capacity to 1200 fluid samples per day. As well as integrating six testing steps into one instrument, WesTrac has introduced AutoA — an automated interpretation software that releases ‘no action required’ samples without the requirement of manual technician intervention. Each of the AutoLab instruments integrate tools for visual inspection, particle quantification infrared spectrometry, particle counting,...

MinRes and BTAC sign land access agreement for Onslow iron Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) and Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation (BTAC) have signed a land access agreement to deliver benefits to the Onslow iron project in WA. The Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) comes after more than two year of collaboration between the two parties which culminated in a common law holders meeting in Onslow. The ILUA strengthens the partnership between MinRes and BTAC who will work together for the next 30-plus years to create opportunities for the Thalanyji people. MinRes managing director Chris...

Liebherr to present new mining solutions at MINExpo From 24 to 26 September 2024, Liebherr will present advancements from its mining, earthmoving, mobile and crawler cranes, components, and aerospace and transportation product segments at MINExpo in Las Vegas, USA. In line with Liebherr’s motto for the event, ‘Your mining partner’, Liebherr will showcase its reliability as a partner for best-in-class equipment, decarbonisation solutions, cutting-edge technology, and service excellence for the mining industry. Liebherr will be sharing its latest news, products, services, and innovations for the mining sector at the world’s largest mining exhibition, MINExpo INTERNATIONAL®, this September. Visitors will experience over 2,777m2 (over 29,000 sq. ft) of...

Queensland Pacific Metals receives $8m grant for TECH project Queensland Pacific Metals (ASX: QPM) has received an $8m grant from the Federal Government under the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program. The company has been working with the Government and stakeholders to secure independent funding to advance its TECH project in Queensland and this grant represents a significant step towards achieving this. The TECH (Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub) project will be a modern and sustainable battery materials refinery, processing imported, high-grade laterite ore to produce nickel and cobalt sulphate as well as other valuable co-products. It has been declared a...

Adavale Resources to begin uranium drilling in South Australia Following drilling and survey contracts being finalised, Adavale Resources (ASX: ADD) is one step closer to drilling at the Marree Embayment in South Australia. Around 3000m of aircore drilling will target paleochannel extensions and uranium redox boundaries at the MacDonnell Creek and George Creek prospects. Both prospects highlighted uranium potential with historical drill intercepts of 1m at 263ppm triuranium octoxide and 0.65m at 235ppm triuranium octoxide. Heritage surveys have been designed to extend localised areas previously cleared at MacDonnell Creek and George Creek. Adavale executive director David Riekie commented on...

BHP, PPC and Norsepower deploy wind-assisted propulsion technology on maritime vessel BHP (ASX: BHP), Pan Pacific Copper (PPC) and Norsepower have completed the installation of a Norsepower rotor sail onboard the M/V Koryu. A combination carrier, operated by Nippon Marine and JX Advanced Metals, will carry copper concentrates from Chile to Japan and sulphuric acid from Japan to Chile. Installation of the Norsepower rotor sail was carried out in June 2024 and the M/V Koryu is en route on its maiden voyage. The rotor sail stands at a height of 35m with a diameter of 5m...

Northern Territory continues renewable energy investment The Northern Territory Government is continuing to invest in battery storage to ensure Territorians reap the benefits from renewable energy. The Power and Water Corporation has secured conditional support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for 16 community batteries which will be located in various locations on the Darwin-Katherine electricity grid. Once online, the batteries will have a significant impact on local network constraints and will expand rooftop solar capacity, reduce emissions and keep power prices affordable. Work on the remote power system strategy, which will deliver an average of 70% renewable energy to 72 remote communities, is...