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Critical minerals funding helping future projects The Federal Government will provide $400m in loans to Alpha HPA (ASX: A4N) to deliver the country’s first high-purity alumina processing facility in Queensland. Alpha HPA will use Australian-owned intellectual property and technology to process high-purity alumina which is used on LED lighting, semiconductors and lithium-ion batteries amongst other high-tech applications. The loans will be provided by Export Finance Australia (EFA) through the Federal Government’s $4b critical minerals facility, plus the Northern Australia infrastructure facility and EFA’s commercial account. Alpha HPA managing director Rimas Kairaitis says the company is delighted to receive the funding. “We...

Thiess celebrates 90 years of operation On April 16, 1934, small farming and roadworks company Thiess Bros began operating in rural Australia and 90 years later the company has grown across seven countries and three continents. In its first year of operations, Thiess successfully tendered for the Kilkivan roadworks job and in 1939 the company was commissioned to complete the excavation work required for the Luna Park entertainment venue at Bowen Hills. In the 40s, Thiess expanded into coal mining with the Heifer Creek cutting, marking a pivotal period of growth for the company, while in the 50s Thiess expanded globally, pioneering in dam construction and...

Northern Territory forges ahead with critical minerals production Industry leaders and representatives from Australia, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea will meet in Darwin to discuss critical mineral production, supply chains and economic security. Dubbed the Darwin Dialogue, this collaboration highlights the opportunities and strategic importance the Northern Territory will play in the critical minerals supply chain for Australia and global markets. In 2023, the total value of mineral production in the Northern Territory was $4.86b and demand for the critical minerals is expected to grow rapidly with...

Multiple uranium anomalies identified in Northern Territory projects Extensive uranium and base metal targets have been identified at Everest Metals’ (ASX: EMC) Georgina and Amadeus projects in the Northern Territory. Resources Potentials was engaged to undertake modelling and interpretation of existing geophysical data over both projects with the data interpreted by specialist geophysical consultants. The use of modern technology against the geophysical data revealed multiple prospective anomalies and exploration targets. While there were challenges due to the complicated geology, variable regolith and changing structural history at Georgina and Amadeus, high-priority target areas spanning 220km2 were identified. Work at Georgina uncovered a 50km long radiometric...

Lithium Australia-Centrex MoU to grow domestic battery supply chain Lithium Australia Limited (ASX: LIT) has signed a 2-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agriflex Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of leading phosphate concentrate producer Centrex Limited (ASX: CXM). Centrex has been actively pursuing value-add opportunities for the Ardmore rock phosphate mine and this MoU represents a potential pathway for mine into the lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery market via the supply of phosphoric acid. Lithium Australia has developed proprietary technology to...

Next chapter begins at Mt Marion Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has begun preliminary development works to support future underground mining at the Mt Marion lithium operation in WA. A contract has been awarded to specialist underground development contractor Develop Global (ASX: DVP) for the establishment of an exploration decline at Mt Marion. Work includes the establishment of surface facilities supporting underground mining activities, installation of underground mine infrastructure, excavating underground capital development and exploration drill platforms, and obtaining geological and operational data for future mining work. Located around 40km southwest of Kalgoorlie, Mt Marion is jointly owned by Mineral Resources and one of the world’s largest lithium hydroxide producers,...

Moon exploration and mining through the Australian METS sector Australian companies are being encouraged to showcase their technologies to aid, on a global scale, with off-world or extra-terrestial exploration. Austmine and AROSE are collaborating with NASA, as the agency looks to the Australian mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) sector for solutions to “space mining”. Shortlisted companies will have the chance to present their solutions at the NASA-USGS Workshop in San Jose, California in May, offering exposure and recognition on an international...

WA’s first electric hybrid wheel loader arrives at Onslow iron project WA’s first electric hybrid wheel loader has arrived on site at Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Onslow iron project. The hybrid loader, which is set to undertake load and haul activities at the project, features the full regenerative SR hybrid drive system which feeds power back into the kinetic energy storage system during braking or retarding. This process helps deliver up to 45% less fuel consumption than comparably sized mechanical drive wheel loaders. Loader fit out was completed at the Komatsu workshop in Welshpool with CSI Mining Services, a subsidiary of Mineral Resources, constructing the loader...

MacMachon agrees to sell Dawson South equipment, nets about $44m MacMahon Holdings Limited (ASX: MAH) has agreed to sell a substantial portion of its remaining mobile equipment fleet at Anglo American’s Dawson South project, resulting in about $44m in net cash inflows for the mining services company. Macmahon was awarded a three-year $200m surface mining contract at the open cut metallurgical coal mine in July 2021, with the parties currently negotiating a new contract to commence on or before 1 July 2024. Dawson South forms part of the Dawson mine in the southern end of the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, one of Australia’s longest-established coal mines....

Whopping $16.1b spend on Australian suppliers by mining giant Rio Tinto has spent more than $16.1b with suppliers and local Australian businesses in CY23, an increase of 5% from CY22. It was spent with more than 5,800 businesses, including Australian owned and operated businesses and locally owned and managed branches of global companies. As part of the mining giant’s ongoing commitment to support communities where it operates, the spend has contributed to tens of thousands of Australian jobs and delivered a significant economic contribution to communities across the country. Rio Tinto chief executive for Australia Kellie Parker says it is important for the company to assist the communities where...