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RareX (ASX:REE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global fertiliser trading and distribution company Nitron Group for product from the Cummins Range rare earths and phosphate project. Under the MoU, Nitron will receive offtake from stage one and stage two production from Cummins Range. The stage one offtake consists of 250ktpa of direct application shipping ore (DSO) phosphate from 2025, while the stage two offtake consists of 250ktpa of high-grade phosphate concentrate from 2028. Stage two provides an opportunity for further product from lower-grade rare earth resources, potentially expanding the volume of mineable ore from Cummins Range. RareX chief executive James Durrant says the MoU marks a step towards de-risking the company’s product and project development strategy. “The…

Mineral processing and infrastructure solutions company Sedgman has been appointed managing contractor for the delivery of a critical minerals processing facility in Queensland.  Queensland has access to some of the world’s richest critical mineral-producing areas, with the North West Minerals Province assessed to hold deposits worth $500b. Sedgeman will work closely with the Queensland Government to develop the design and construction program for the Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF). The QRCUF will accelerate the development of commercial mining projects in the State, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities and support supply chain and industry development. Mining companies will be able to trial mining processing techniques, demonstrate project feasibility at scale and provide product samples to accelerate commercial development…

Queensland’s resources sector has delivered a record $116.8b in economic benefits in FY23 and supported over half a million jobs in the State, according to the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) annual Economic Contribution Report released today. This is $22.2b more than FY22, representing one in four dollars spent in Queensland, with QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane saying that this shows what is at risk from the State Government’s introduction of the world’s highest coal royalty taxes on the sector. “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…

Lucapa Diamond Company, Endiama and Rosas & Petalas have unearthed a 235 carat Type IIa diamond, the second largest ever recovered from the Lulo alluvial mine in Angola. This come a week after the recovery of a 208 carat Type IIa diamond. Lucapa Diamonds managing director Nick Selby commented on the recovery. “Lulo continues to demonstrate it is a prolific producer of large diamonds,” he said. “To unearth three +100 carat diamonds, with two being over 200 carats in such a short space of time from different areas of concession, makes us more determined to find the primary source, by dedicating even more resources to the exploration program.” The 235 carat stone is the 40th +100 carat and fourth +200…

Monash University research and innovation will be brought to India’s mining and mineral development sector after individual Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) and the International Centre for Excellence in Mining Safety and Automation (iCEM) in Gujarat, India. The Australia-India Critical Minerals Research Hub will foster collaborative research from both India and Australia, focusing on critical aspects of mineral exploration, extraction, processing and recycling. Monash University’s interim president and vice-chancellor Professor Susan Elliott AM says the strategic partnerships will foster innovation and knowledge exchange between Australia and India for global benefit. “These partnerships are another positive step towards international cooperation and sustainable developments in the critical minerals sector, increasing mining efficiency, enhancing…

A cultural heritage survey with the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation (KAC) has been completed at the Quartz Hill project in the Central Pilbara of WA. As part of the drilling program, New Age Exploration (ASX:NAE) will target lithium, caesium and tantalum (LCT) pegmatites similar to other deposits in the area. The aim of the drilling is to test below target areas of lithium anomalism detected in soil samples. New Age executive director Joshua Wellisch says the company is pleased to have completed the survey. “We are very pleased to have completed the cultural heritage survey at Quartz Hill in preparation for an imminent drill program on the high priority lithium targets,” he said. “We now have a firm timeline to an…

Barminco has donated a Sandvik underground truck to South Metropolitan TAFE in Perth, WA, to help train the next generation of skilled mining and heavy automotive workers. The refurbished truck, worth about $1.8m new, has lived out its full mine life and will now serve as a training resource for plant mechanic apprentices, trainees and students at the Heavy Vehicle Mechanical Training Centre at the Thornlie campus. WA Training Minister Simone McGurk thanks Barminco for its generous donation, which will help train up the mining and heavy automotive workforce of the future. “Providing students with contemporary machinery ensures when they land jobs they’re already equipped with the skills demanded by industry – so they can hit the ground running,” she…

The WA State Government has released an important consultation paper in its efforts to refocus activities in the rapidly evolving battery and critical minerals sector. Since the introduction of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy in 2019, WA has seen rapid growth of value-adding battery and critical minerals industries. Since then, nickel sulphate and lithium hydroxide (the key chemicals in lithium-ion batteries) refineries have been established, plus two downstream rare earth processing plants. As stakeholder input is vital in identifying priority actions to support industry development, a consultation paper seeking feedback to inform the refreshed strategy is now available. The refreshed strategy aims to further grow WA’s battery and critical minerals industries with an emphasis on increasing domestic value-adding and…

Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational health and safety challenges confronting mines across Australia. Whether it’s blasting or crushing practices, the use of earthmoving machinery, or mineral processing applications, mine operators are subject to unavoidable noise generation. This excessive noise can result in workers’ compensation claims as a result of deafness and the impact on quality of life. Settling these claims presents an expensive proposition for mining companies. Reducing the prevalence of this problem reduces the healthcare cost burden placed on companies, which means they can allocate more of their capital to resource extraction and less on compensation. However, detecting hearing loss is difficult as it builds up gradually over time as workers are exposed to noise.…

IMDEX-Krux partnership set to improve productivity in exploration and production drilling. Increasing Productivity in Exploration and Production Drilling A partnership between leading global mining-tech company IMDEX and drilling analytics market leader Krux is driving a digital transition to improve productivity in exploration and production drilling. With recent figures revealing a reduction in metres drilled despite record mineral exploration spending, IMDEX and Krux say it is time for the mining industry to embrace technology that will deliver better outcomes. IMDEX chief executive Paul House says the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures for the June quarter shows a reduction in metres drilled against a June spending record of $1.069b, revealing the productivity gap facing the mining industry. While the figures were…