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WA producers thrown lifeline as nickel is included in Critical Minerals List 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...

Lidar surveying guides Central Queensland Hydrogen Project 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...

Drill cores preserved as Victorian mining sites rehabilitated 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...

Ausdrill & SITECH WA Join Forces to Revolutionise Safety, Precision, & Efficiency in the Mining Industry 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...

Black Cat engages with mining services companies for Paulsens refurbishment 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....

Copper production begins at Hillgrove’s Kanmantoo mine 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...

Stanmore Resources to acquire 50% interest in Eagle Downs from South32 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...

Rio Tinto, BHP and BlueScope push ahead with plans to reduce steelmaking emissions 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...

Avebury Nickel Mine the latest to close amid nickel price decline 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...

CME calls for tax credits for battery and critical minerals projects The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) has recommended the introduction of a production tax credit for battery and critical minerals projects as part of its submission to the federal government ahead of the May Budget.   CME chief executive officer Rebecca Tomkinson says Australia needs to act now to mitigate intense global competition for investment capital amidst geopolitical tensions, rising costs and persistent labour shortages.?  “In line with our repeated calls for competitive and stable fiscal settings, the introduction of a production tax credit for battery and critical minerals projects is another key recommendation, especially in light of the recent commodity price falls for nickel and lithium,”...