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Hannans (ASX:HNR) and Serbian steelmaking company Metalfer Group have executed a binding collaboration agreement for a proposed lithium battery recycling partnership. In 2022, the companies began due diligence to support the decision of entering this agreement. Under the agreement, Hannans and Metalfer will work together to complete a feasibility study for a 10tpd spoke battery shredding plant. The feasibility study covers project economics, preliminary equipment design, layout, schedule, permitting and cost estimates. Hannnas and Metalfer will also work together to prepare a feedstock business plan based on an annual lithium-ion battery volume of no less than 4000t comprising of nickel-manganese-cobalt, lithium-manganese-cobalt, lithium-cobalt-oxide and nickel-cobalt-aluminium chemistries for a 10tpd processing capacity. Metalfer president and founder Branko Zecevic commented on the agreement.…

South32 (ASX:S32) and AusQuest (ASX:AQD) have extended the existing strategic alliance agreement (SAA) for a further two years to December 2025. Originally established in February 2017, the SAA established an innovative framework under which AusQuest could use its extensive expertise to target new deposits and mineral provinces. Over the past seven years, the companies have developed a strong working relationship and will continue working together to develop a pipeline of high-potential exploration opportunities in the country. The SAA will remain focused on developing high-potential exploration opportunities in Australia targeting copper, lead, zinc and nickel. Other minerals such as lithium and rare earths may be considered. Under the SAA, projects secured by AusQuest and offered exclusively to and accepted by South32…

Graphite samples from Oar Resources’ (ASX:OAR) namesake graphite project have been sent to a research facility in China for metallurgical evaluation. Eight samples from two historic holes have been sent to the Beijing General Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (BGRIMM) with the goal of producing a saleable graphite product. Furthermore, relevant South Australian Government agencies have granted an exploration program for environmental protection and rehabilitation (EPEPR) for a 5000m air core drilling program. This will test additional geophysical target areas and expand the current mineral resource estimate of 6.22mt at 4.8% total graphite content. Oar will also begin bench scale metallurgical test work with the aim of producing a scalable processing flowheet which can produce a saleable product. This…

To support the shift towards electrification and the advancement of autonomous and optimisation technologies in surface drilling, Sandvik has acquired a new testing facility in Finland to develop and prove future surface drilling technologies. The test mine lies 40km northwest of Tampere and Sandvik’s underground test mine. The site is Sandvik’s first dedicated exclusively to surface drilling on a large scale. Sandvik surface drilling president Petri Virrankoski commented on the facility. “The development of comprehensive solutions that not only harness the latest technologies but also deliver productivity and reliability in our customers’ real-life application and conditions requires a real-life test environment,” he said. “The surface test mine will facilitate the exchange of our deep know-how in equipment manufacturing, rock tools,…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended environmental approval for the extension of the Mt Weld project. The proposed expansion would increase the existing development to 2802ha, extending the life of the 16-year-old operation by up to 30 years. EPA chair Professor Matthew Tonts says an assessment of the proposal would produce a much better outcome for the environment. “Adopting this approach meant the EPA was able to undertake the assessment with full knowledge of the existing and proposed Mt Weld operations,” he said. “This is one of the first projects to provide the EPA with life-of-mine insight that allows confident assessment of the combined and cumulative impacts.” The EPA has recommended the Mt Weld life of mine proposal may…

Queensland’s resources sector delivered a record $116.8b in economic benefits to the state economy in 2022-2023. This is $22.2b more than the previous financial year and represents one in every four dollars spent in Queensland. Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane says the figures show what’s at risk from the Queensland Government’s sudden and unprecedented introduction of the world’s highest coal royalty taxes. “Queensland’s current prosperity is the result of decades of past investment by mining and energy companies from all around the world as well as by companies based right here,” he said. “Unless that level of large-scale, long-term investment continues, Queensland’s economy is going to look very different in the future. We shouldn’t be giving companies a…

Liebherr has launched its L 507 E battery-electric wheel loader, which has the same performance as a conventionally powered Liebherr wheel loader but emits no carbon dioxide. Additionally, noise emissions are kept to a minimum, making the loader suitable for any application where noise or exhaust fumes have to be considered, such as in inner-city areas or halls. Liebherr relies on a high-voltage battery system — specifically developed for L 507 E wheel loader applications — which ensures powerful performance and efficient charging. Depending on the operating conditions, the L 507 E offers a running time of up to eight hours. The modular battery design makes it possible to install a second lithium-ion battery ex works at the customer’s request,…

Anglo American’s Lake Lindsay mine has been cleared for expansion by the Queensland Government.   This expansion will extend the life of the mine and secure the long-term future of 500 jobs. When fully operational, the expanded mine will produce 5.6mt of steel-making coal. Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart commented on the expansion. “The granting of this mining lease shows Queensland’s resources industry continues to go from strength to strength. It shows there is confidence from major mining companies that are investing in the future of Queensland’s resources industry into the future,” he said. “Steel-making coal is one of our state’s biggest export earners, worth nearly $60b in the 12 months to May this year. We need steel for construction,…

PT Hydraulics has provided high-quality products and services to the mining sector for over four decades.  Celebrating 20 years in 2023, since the company known today as PT Hydraulics was formed, the business has been servicing the mining industry for over 40 years in various iterations and continues to prove to be an important supplier to mining customers.   With headquarters in Mt Waverley Victoria, and regional branch offices throughout Australia and New Zealand, the company’s Industrial, Rescue and Rail divisions service prestigious clientele across the resources, civil, government and defence sectors. Internationally recognised brand portfolio A recent discussion with the company’s Marketing Manager, Melinda Norman, highlighted some of the products that are supplied to mining customers. “Our two biggest divisions…

Sandvik is introducing the AutoMine Toro LH514iE loader, a revamped version of the Sandvik LH514E with new updates to enhance safety and productivity. Toro LH514iE is the latest automated cable-electric loader designed with AutoMine integrated capabilities, offering customers flexibility to upgrade from manual to autonomous operations at any time in the equipment’s lifespan. Unlike battery electric vehicles that require battery swapping or quick-charging, or diesel equipment that needs refuelling, as long as the Toro LH614iE loader is plugged into the mine electric grid, it’s able to undertake productive work. The cable has an operating range of up to 330m. Toro LH514iE can help improve working conditions underground for operators and other mine personnel. In addition to not producing diesel emissions,…

Production and maintenance personnel are rostered around the clock to ensure plant equipment availability is maximised and running as smooth as possible while faced with the constant threat of costly downtime. Critical components must therefore be constantly monitored to prevent any potential issues where unplanned repairs will result in a complete or partial plant shutdown. Not only are machine components subject to wear and tear, abrasion, impact, dust, corrosion, humidity, and high temperatures, but there’s also the inherent health and safety risks that personnel face as they perform their day-to-day tasks. This is why intuitive condition monitoring is such an integral part of any reliable industrial operation. The ability to diagnose and eliminate faults before they happen, subsequently improving operational…