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A brand new PC4000 excavator has been delivered at Batchfire Resources Callide mine, built and tested one month ahead of its first start-up. Komatsu worked alongside the Callide team to ensure a successful delivery of the PC4000 which was customised for the unique operational requirements the Callide site and built to withstand Queensland’s harsh mining conditions. Komatsu regional manager – mining equipment Scott Harrington commented on the machine. “This excavator needed to be a tough, high-productivity machine while also offering the highest levels of fuel efficiency and operator safety,” he said. “It was a big feat, but the collaboration between both parties meant a great outcome.” The new excavator will operate around the clock at Callide, work more than 400…

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) will replace its entire fossil diesel consumption with renewable diesel at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah from 2024. The fleet of 90 haul trucks and all the heavy machinery will begin the transition to renewable diesel from the first quarter of next year, along with consumption from the concentrator, smelter and refinery. This transition will reduce Kennecott’s scope one carbon emissions by around 495ktpa of carbon dioxide, comparable to eliminating the annual emissions of more than 107k cars. Rio is targeting reduction in scope one and two carbon emissions of 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. The renewable diesel is made from renewable biogenic materials sources in the United States. It will be supplied…

Less than a year after Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) signed a Mining Convention with the Government of Gabon, the mining giant’s first product from its Belinga iron ore project is ready for shipment. This marks the first time the company has exported iron ore from a port outside of Australia. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto is pleased with the progress following the signing of the Mining Convention on 8 February 2023. “This is a truly remarkable achievement by the team in such a short period of time and marks a key milestone in the early-stage mine development in Gabon,” he said. “This project has the potential to revolutionise our portfolio and ultimately create a product that will be…

Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) has agreed to buy an 80% interest in the Northparkes copper-gold mine in NSW from CMOC Group Limited for a total cash consideration up to $722m (US$475m), with Sumitomo Metal Mining and Sumitomo Corporation retaining their 20% interest in the JV. Evolution has also agreed to enter into an offtake agreement with IXM S.A., a subsidiary of CMOC, under which IXM will purchase from Evolution copper concentrates produced from the Northparkes mine equal to Evolution’s 80% attributable interest over the life of mine’s existing ore reserves. In addition, Evolution will assume the obligations of CMOC Limited as guarantor under the Triple Flag Metal purchase and sale agreement, under which Evolution will deliver a percentage of its…

Janette Hewson has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). She will be replacing outgoing chief executive Ian Macfarlane who is retiring from the role at the end of the year. QRC president Adam Lancey says Ms Hewson is well known for her leadership and experience. “Janette will lead the QRC at a time when the industry faces changes, challenges and opportunities as the sector continues to power Queensland’s economy while providing the minerals and materials needed for decarbonisation,” he said. “Under her leadership, the QRC will continue to prioritise and promote the highest industry standards in health and safety, diversity and inclusion and environmentally responsible operating practices.” Ms Hewson has more than 25…

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has approved a $110m pre-feasibility (PFS) study to progress development of one of the world’s best undeveloped iron ore deposits — the Rhodes Ridge project. The start of the PFS follows the completion of an order of magnitude study that considered development of an operation with initial capacity of up to 40mtpa. The PFS is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will be followed by a feasibility study with first ore from the initial development expected by the end of this decade. Over the five-year period from 2024 to 2028, Rio is planning to spend more than $400m on exploration as part of the ongoing study phases. Study work to date has indicated…

Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has secured a Port Services and Access Agreement with the Mid West Ports Authority for the export of lithium spodumene from its Kathleen Valley project via the Port of Geraldton. Receipt of Ministerial approval of this agreement represents the final link in securing Liontown’s supply chain, as the company looks to ship to global Tier-1 offtake partners including LG Energy Solution, Tesla and Ford Motor Company. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano says he is pleased with the approval by WA Ports Minister David Michael. “The Port of Geraldton is a world-class facility with future growth aspirations, and Liontown is pleased to support the diversification of critical minerals exports out of the port for…

Komatsu has acquired fleet management company iVolve Pty Ltd in a move that will enable the brand to reach a broader global market and grow its footprint in the mining and quarry industries. The acquisition, through Komatsu’s wholly owned subsidiary in Australia, marks a significant milestone for the company. Komatsu Australia chief executive Sean Taylor says “Australia is renowned as a global centre of excellence for mining, quarrying and construction technology”. “This acquisition will provide global scale for iVolve and enable the ongoing development of iVolve’s products and solutions into the future,” he said. iVolve chief executive and co-founder Kim Parascos says the company is thrilled to become part of the Komatsu family. “We have enjoyed a long working relationship…

The Fortescue Green Pioneer has sailed from Singapore to Dubai for COP28 as a symbol of the regulatory changes needed to decarbonise shipping. Fortescue chairman and founder Andrew Forrest says at this point in time, the regulatory landscape doesn’t allow ammonia ships to operate. “Now that green ammonia is emerging as a bulk marine fuel, it is now the time of the great ports of the world to become capable of pollution free shipping,” he said. “This is seriously limiting the progress of the decarbonisation of shipping.” Over the past 18 months, Fortescue has been developing the processes, systems and technology needed to safely run Green Pioneer as a green ammonia dual-fuel ship. This was done in collaboration with leading…

WA Mines, Petroleum and Hydrogen Industry Minister Bill Johnston has introduced the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Safety Levies Amendment Bill 2023 into the WA Parliament.   The Bill proposes to enable the transport and storage of greenhouse gases in the State, aligning with net zero emissions ambitions within the WA Climate Policy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy. As well as introducing a framework for greenhouse gas storage and transport, the exploration of naturally occurring hydrogen will be accommodated for as a regulated substance. Carbon caption utilisation and storage (CCUS) involves capturing and storing carbon dioxide to reduce emissions from industrial-scale processes and projects. It’s being used by hard-to-abate industries to decarbonise operations across…

A 12.4MW solar farm and 8.8MVa/2.1MWh battery storage facility have been approved by Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) to provide renewable energy for the Amrun bauxite operations near Weipa in Queensland. The solar farm and battery storage facility are part of Rio’s global decarbonisation strategy and ongoing efforts to reduce emissions at its Pacific bauxite, alumina and aluminium operations. Both of these are expected to reduce Amrun’s diesel electricity consumption by 37% and the annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 14kt. It will also add to the existing 5.6MW of solar and 4MWh of battery power for Rio’s Weipa operations. Aggreko was contracted to build, own and operate the solar farm, in addition to its current contract to supply electricity generated from…