Author: admin

Raising the bar on First Nations cultural heritage protection

Raising the bar on First Nations cultural heritage protection

Raising the bar on First Nations cultural heritage protection Business and investment leaders have taken a pivotal step by committing to a new best practice standard in the management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage. The Dhawura Ngilan Business and Investor Guides were launched in Canberra on March 19 by the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance (FNHPA). Dhawura Ngilan means ‘Remembering Country’ in the Ngunnawal Language. The Guides are inspired by, and take the name from, the Dhawura Ngilan Vision, drafted by Heritage Councils across the country with the backing of the FNHPA. This Vision sets the course for First Nations heritage over the next decade. Dhawura Ngilan offers practical steps for the mining industry to integrate local...

Asra Minerals (ASX: ASR) managing director Rob Longley welcomes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement today of a $566m investment into critical minerals exploration.

Albanese: Landmark $566m drives critical mineral exploration

Albanese: Landmark $566m drives critical mineral exploration Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this morning landmark funding of $566m to drive critical mineral exploration around Australia over the next 10 years. An additional $100m will go towards speeding up the current environmental approvals process across states and territories for renewables and critical minerals. Prime Minister Albanese says next week’s Federal Budget will invest in a new era of mineral exploration. “We will fund the first comprehensive map of what’s under Australia’s soil – and our seabed,” he said. “Meaning we can pinpoint the new...

(Image source: Fortescue) Fortescue's The Green Pioneer in the Port of Singapore.

Propulsion and manoeuvrability trials completed for Fortescue Green Pioneer

Propulsion and manoeuvrability trials completed for Fortescue Green Pioneer Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has successfully completed propulsion and manoeuvrability trials of the Fortescue Green Pioneer in the Port of Singapore. The trials were undertaken over a 10-day period using 6.4m3 of liquid ammonia, in combination with diesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), a second-generation biofuel, as marine fuel. The vessel was loaded on April 23, 2024, at Vopak Banyan Terminal, Jurong Island while the vessel was at anchor. The Fortescue Green Pioneer was subject to testing of the ammonia storage systems, associated piping, gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines and seaworthiness. The propulsion and manoeuvrability...

(Image source: EQ Resources) Mt Carbine tungsten mine open pit.

Mt Carbine receives $20m funding to unlock tungsten potential

Mt Carbine receives $20m funding to unlock tungsten potential Considerable exploration potential will be unlocked at Australia’s largest tungsten mine to aid in the supply of unlocking the critical mineral. Supported by the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund (QCMBTF), underground mining operations will return to EQ Resources’ (ASX: EQR) Mt Carbine site in Far North Queensland. Tungsten possesses the highest melting point and tensile strength of all pure metals and it can be used across a range of renewable energy applications such as solar cells, wind turbines and battery storage. The Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) managed fund will provide a $20m senior secured debt...

Team members from Thiess, WesTrac and Caterpillar.

WesTrac and Thiess celebrate autonomous drilling milestone

WesTrac and Thiess celebrate autonomous drilling milestone WesTrac and Thiess have celebrated an autonomous drilling record at Thiess’ Mt Arthur South operation in NSW. Last month, one million metres was autonomously drilled at the operation using a fleet of three Cat MD-series drills running with the Cat MineStar Command Autonomous Drill System (ADS). WesTrac technology solutions manager Nakia Brewer says the achievement not only reflects the highly successful deployment of autonomous drills but the strength of partnership. “When implementing new technology, it is crucial that there is a clear understanding of the problem you’re trying to solve – in this case it was to reduce operating costs and increase...

The strategy aims to further develop WA’s industries to contribute to global decarbonisation efforts.

Critical mineral potential boosted in NSW

Critical mineral potential boosted in NSW A major step has been taken towards unlocking critical minerals and high-tech metals in NSW with results from a new mapping exercise now available. Over 18 months, eight aircraft captured data across more than 148,000km2, around one-sixth of the state. This work also included using sound waves to delve up to 50km beneath the surface. The surveys can map large areas of land with minimal disruption to the environment to help better understand the geology and possible uncover groundwater aquifers. A number of areas were highlighted for further exploration, including around Forbes, Yathong, Cobar and Dubbo. Undertaken...

Regis Resources is growing its portfolio with the addition of two new gold mines.

Regis Resources approves two underground mines

Regis Resources approves two underground mines Regis Resources (ASX: RRL) has approved two underground mines — Garden Well Main and Rosemont Stage 3 — to support its underground growth strategy. With the inclusion of Garden Well Main and Rosemont Stage 3, Regis will operate at least three independent underground mining areas within the Duketon gold project in WA. Located around 750m north of the current Garden Well South underground mine, Garden Well Main will open a new mining domain directly below the base of the current Garden Well open pit. The mining inventory at Garden Well Main comprises of 36% indicated mineral...

(Image source: Dreadnought Resources) High quality MREC produced by ANSTO using a conventional low-temperature acid bake / leach process.

High quality MREC produced from Yin monazite concentrate

High quality MREC produced from Yin monazite concentrate High-quality mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) has been produced from monazite concentrate at Dreadnought Resources' (ASX: DRE) Yin project, part of the Mangaroon project in WA. The concentrate was produced by metallurgical group ANSTO using a conventional low-temperature acid bake / leach process. The testwork was carried out on a 2kg monazite concentrate sample that was taken from combined diamond core samples from three holes drilled at Yin. The produced MREC was made up of 30.6% total rare earth oxides containing 8.3% neodymium oxide and 2.2% praseodymium oxide. It...

Image source: New Hope Group.

Bengalla: High quality coal producer

Bengalla: High quality coal producer Located around 4km southwest of Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley region of NSW, the Bengalla coal mine plays a significant role in supplying thermal coal to domestic and international markets. The mine is operated by the Bengalla Mining Company (BMC), which is a joint venture between New Hope Group (80%) and Taipower (20%). Operations Bengalla is a single pit open cut, multi-seam mine with product extracted using dragline, truck and excavator methods, with employees working in shifts to keep the mine operating 24hrs a day, seven days a week. In 1996, Bengalla received an initial 21-year development consent which was renewed in March 2015 and extended...

Australia’s rock-solid drilling industry

Australia’s rock-solid drilling industry

Australia's rock-solid drilling industry Australia’s resources industry is a pillar of the country’s economy with Australia being one of the largest exporters of coal, iron ore and bauxite. As the demand for materials grows, Australia’s drilling industry will play a key role in ensuring supply can keep up with demand. The Australian Mining Review sat down with Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) chief executive Jeff Miller who provided some insight into Australia’s drilling industry and its future. AMR: Can you tell us about the current situation within Australia’s drilling industry? JM: Drilling is a bit of a mixed bag at the moment. There are some sectors that are doing really well and there are other areas that are struggling. It...

Surefire Resources has lodged a provisional patent to protect its vanadium recovery process.

Surefire Resources files provisional patent for vanadium recovery process

Surefire Resources files provisional patent for vanadium recovery process Through its wholly owned subsidiary Suretec Solutions, Surefire Resources (ASX: SRN) has filed an Australian provisional patent application to protect its proprietary vanadium recovery process. Perth-based patent attorney WRAYS was appointed to review the process and undertake a search on the subject matter of the invention. Following this, WRAYS have confirmed to application has been lodged with IP Australia. Surefire’s metallurgical application reduces the need for standard heat pre-treatment processes currently used in the vanadium extraction industry. In May 2023, Surefire appointed METS Engineering to assess the potential for recovery of a high purity...