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Rio Tinto to transition to renewable diesel at Kennecott 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...

Historical African iron ore shipment for FMG 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...

Evolution to acquire CMOC’s 80% interest in Northparkes mine 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...

Janette Hewson appointed QRC chief executive 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...

Rio Tinto approves $110m PFS for Rhodes Ridge 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...

Lithium player Liontown secures agreement with Mid West Ports Authority 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...

Komatsu acquires iVolve 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...

Fortescue’s Green Pioneer sails from Singapore to Dubai for COP28 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,...

Carbon capture and storage bill introduced to WA Parliament 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...

Rio Tinto approves solar farm and battery storage facility for Amrun 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...