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WesTrac has successfully implemented a Dematic Automated Piece Picking System at its Tomago warehouse in NSW. As one of the world’s largest authorised Caterpillar® equipment dealers, this new picking system along with its Autostore™ system (resembling a large Rubik’s cube) supports the mining and construction industries in WA, NSW and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) WesTrac warehouse operations manager Natalia Trewin says its Tomago warehouse is the central distribution centre for 17 regional branches, as well as the seven main workshops on site. “The Tomago facility is a high-volume operation, storing 80,000 SKUs and we pick 40,000 lines a week here,” she said. The previous WesTrac warehouse was constructed a decade ago. It was operated manually and, over time, WesTrac…

The WA Government is throwing a lifeline to the State’s nickel producers by offering a 50% royalty rebate from Q2 CY24 for 18 months, in response to current global market challenges. The Nickel Financial Assistance Program will provide a rebate if the average price of nickel in concentrate is below $31,000/t (US$20,000/t) for a given quarter. The rebate will then be repayable by the companies in equal quarterly instalments over the following 24 months. WA Premier Roger Cook says the nickel industry supports nearly 10,000 jobs and generated more than $5b in sales in FY23. “It is also an essential component of the State’s vision of becoming a global hub for the downstream processing of battery metals,” he said. “Protecting…

Lidar surveying is underway at the Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project as part of front-end studies paving the way for the State’s largest renewable hydrogen project. The CQ-H2 Project includes the development of a large-scale renewable hydrogen production facility at Aldoga, a hydrogen transport facility (pipeline) and a liquefaction and shipping facility at the Port of Gladstone. The project will also supply renewable hydrogen to an ammonia production facility. A statement on Stanwell’s website says “lidar data points and aerial photographs were captured by a plane flying over the proposed sites of the hydrogen production facility, liquefaction and shipping facility and hydrogen pipeline route”. “A buffer of roughly 400m around the proposed sites for the facilities and along the entire…

Two former mining sites near Bendigo, Victoria, are a step closer to rehabilitation with the removal of drill core samples from the Woodvale Evaporation Ponds and the start of rehabilitation work at Kangaroo Flat. The Victorian Earth Resources Regulator (ERR) is overseeing the rehabilitation of both sites as the former licensee was unable to meet its obligations. Resources Victoria chief executive Matt Vincent says the drill core to be stored at the Geological Survey of Victoria’s (GSV) Drill Core Library are valuable geoscientific assets which will improve the understanding of Bendigo’s geology. “The Earth Resources Regulator has permanently sealed the Swan Decline, the primary gateway to Bendigo’s historical underground mining,” he said. “We’ve unearthed significant historical records and snapshots at…

SITECH WA, a pioneer in providing innovative technology solutions for mining operations in Western Australia, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Ausdrill, one of the largest drilling services providers in Australia. This collaboration is set to lead in a new era of safety, precision, and efficiency for mining professionals as SITECH WA introduce Trimble Groundworks machine guidance technology across Ausdrill’s Rock Commander fleet. The integration of Trimble Groundworks machine guidance into the Rock Commander fleet represents a milestone achievement for both companies, with the successful implementation of Groundworks on Rock Commanders at BHP WAIO laying the foundation for this game-changing partnership. The proven synergy between Rock Commander and Groundworks has solidified this decision, further influencing its adoption at…

Black Cat Syndicate Limited (ASX: BC8) has commenced refurbishment works on its processing facility at the 100% owned Paulsens gold operation, with managing director Gareth Solly saying that the company has started to engage with mining contractors and equipment suppliers. Long lead items have been procured, including mill liners and lifters, two new Knelson concentrators, steel for tank and structural modifications and a new liquid oxygen tank. “Our team has been systematically working through the processing plant conducting maintenance work as well as setting details plans for future refurbishment works,” Mr Solly said. “Work to date has been extremely productive with significant upside identified, particularly in the crushing circuit. “Long lead items have been or are in the process of…

Hillgrove Resources (ASX: HGO) has produced its first copper concentrate from the Kanmantoo underground mine following successful commissioning of the processing facility within the targeted timeframe of Q1 CY24. The project is located about 55km from Adelaide, South Australia, with the company operating a series of open pits from 2010-2020, producing about 137kt of copper and 55koz of gold. After successful studies, underground development works commenced in mid-2023 with a single decline towards the base of one of their pits. Hillgrove chief executive and managing director Lachlan Wallace says first copper production from the Kanmantoo underground operation and the transition to cashflow generation is a watershed moment for the company. “Over the next few months, the mine output and copper…

South32 (ASX: S32) has entered a binding agreement to divest its 50% interest in the Eagle Downs metallurgical coal project to Stanmore Resources Limited (ASX: SMR). The consideration for the transaction comprises $23m (US$15m) payable at completion, a contingent payment and a price-linked royalty. The other 50% interest in the project is held by Aquila Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited. Stanmore has signed a term sheet with Aquila, the Eagle Downs joint venture (JV) partner, in relation to acquiring a further 30% interest in the joint venture. Stanmore chief executive and executive director Marcelo Matos says the acquisition of Eagle Downs is consistent with Stanmore’s ambition to expand its footprint in Queensland’s premium…

Plans are underway to develop Australia’s first ironmaking electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant in an effort to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking. Rio Tinto, BHP and BlueScope said they will work together to realise the plan which could reduce CO2 emission intensity by more than 80% compared with the current industry average for the conventional blast furnace steel route. Australia’s two largest iron ore producers and its biggest steelmaker plan to consolidate the work each party has completed to date. This will involve leveraging both BHP’s and Rio Tinto’s knowledge of Pilbara iron ores as well BlueScope’s unique operating experience in ESF technology. Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott says “the carbon intensity of iron and steelmaking…

The Avebury nickel mine in Tasmania is the latest Australian nickel mine to suspend operations following a decline in nickel prices amid increased international competition and reduced demand.  Mallee Resources Limited, owner of the Avebury mine, announced that the mine had gone into receivership in September last year.   KordaMentha, the receivers and managers of the mine, have confirmed that the Avebury nickel mine will be transitioning into care and maintenance due to a near 50% decline in global nickel prices since last year.  Tasmanian Resources Minister Felix Ellis says Tasmania has not been immune to the global nickel implosion which is mothballing mines across Australia and internationally, with other nickel mines like Cosmos, Cassini, Long, Durkin, Savannah and Andrew Forrest’s…