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Australian Government announces $2b critical minerals boost The Federal Government has announced a $2b expansion in critical minerals financing, solidifying Australia’s position as a world leading provider and helping the transition to net zero. Critical minerals, including rare earths, are the building-blocks for a clean energy future and are essential to achieving Australia’s energy transition. This expansion will double the capacity of the critical minerals facility to finance Australian critical minerals mining and processing projects. Further, the expansion takes the Government’s investments in Australian resources to $6b. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians will benefit from this investment. “Australians will benefit through this investment in critical minerals, through technology, skills, jobs and...

Avenira receives approval to begin mining operations at Wonarah Avenira (ASX:AEV) has received approval from the Northern Territory Government authorising 40,000t of ore extraction from the Wonarah direct shipping ore (DSO) phosphate project. Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister and Mining and Industry Minister Nicole Manison approved the Mine Management Plan (MMP) under the Mining Management Act 2001, enabling mining to begin at Wonarah. Ms Manison says this is huge news for the Territory. “In huge news for the Territory economy and a big win for jobs in the Barkly, Avenira has met its regulatory obligations and is now authorised to commence mining,” she said. “The Wonarah phosphate...

Engineering company Monadelphous (ASX:MND) has secured $170m worth of new construction and maintenance contracts and contract extensions in the resources sector.   Monadelphous has been awarded a construction contract with Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) for stage one of the Mt Weld expansion project in WA. The scope of work includes structural, mechanical and piping works associated with the new construction facility. The company has also secured a multidisciplinary construction contract to undertake a series of upgrades at Fortescue’s (ASX:FMG) Anderson Point iron ore stockyard in Port Hedland, WA. Monadelphous has been awarded a three-year services contract, with three one-year extension options to continue providing sustaining capital projects and maintenance support at Santos’ (ASX:STO) production and support facilities in the Southern...

Sheffield Resources begins Thunderbird ore processing ahead of schedule Sheffield Resources (ASX:SFX) has begun ore processing at the Thunderbird mineral sands project in WA ahead of schedule. The initial stages of ore processing will see a gradual ramp up through to steady state processing, production of concentrates and building of concentrate product stockpiles on site and at the port of Broome. Sheffield expects the first shipment of concentrate will be loaded early in Q1 2024. Executive chair Bruce Griffin commented on the achievement. “Delivery of a greenfield mining project in Australia can be a challenging experience, particularly for a junior miner,” he said. “Overcoming these hurdles, especially in the current inflationary environment...

Rio Tinto and Yindjibarndi Energy sign renewable energy MOU  Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to collaborate on renewable energy projects on Yindjibarndi country in WA’s Pilbara region. Rio and YEC will study and evaluate a range of opportunities, including wind and solar power plus battery energy storage systems. The initial focus of this partnership is to rapidly explore the potential development of a solar power facility for the supply of energy to Rio. Rio operates four gas-fired power stations in the Pilbara with about 600MW to 700MW of renewable generation estimated to be required to displace the majority...

BHP’s B11 block cave now fully operational The B11 block cave at BHP’s (ASX:BHP) Nickel West operations in WA is now fully operational following the firing of the last drawbell last month. This block cave is now one of Nickel West’s most innovative operations and it will be a sustaining producer of nickel at Leinster for around the next seven years. BHP northern operations general manager Mike Moscarda says this will have a major impact on production at Leinster. “This is a first for BHP and was a huge commitment for the business to take on,” he said. “Now that it’s complete, it will contribute up to 50% of the ore...

First recipients revealed for Carbon Innovation Grants Program The WA Government has announced the first round of grant recipients under the Carbon Innovation Grants Program (CIGP). This program focuses on cutting-edge technologies to remove, reduce or offset emissions from industrial processes. Nine organisations will share $4.24m in funding to embark on projects in WA which have demonstrated benefits to heavy industry and the reduction of hard-to-abate emissions. The nine companies that will receive the funding include Aurizon Operations, CSBP, CSIRO, Airbridge, First Mode, Australia VRFB ESS Company, Wallis Drilling, Tronox and Sea-Quester Offshore. The money will be used to support the company’s technologies to progress to market readiness and commercialisation in line...

Rio Tinto to increase Gudai-Darri production capacity to 50mtpa Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) is aiming to increase production capacity at Gudai-Darri — its newest iron ore mine — to 50mtpa at a cost of $130m. Located in the Pilbara region in WA, the Gudai-Darri mine began production last year and reached its planned annual capacity of 43mt in less than 12 months from first ore. This capacity increase will be achieved through upgrades within the plant including chutes and conveyor belts, as well as an existing incremental crushing and screening facility already on site. The larger operation will require additional mining fleet including haul trucks, diggers and a small expansion...

Successful applicants announced for round 28 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has announced the successful applicants for round 28 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme’s (EIS) co-funded drilling program and series 6 of the energy analysis program. Round 28 will offer grants worth more than $6m to 33 general applicants and three prospectors for projects to be drilled between December 2023 and November 2024. More than half of the successful applicants are searching for battery minerals, including five projects exploring for lithium, six for rare earth elements and 13 for nickel. Series 6 of the energy analysis program will offer $120k to...

BHP agrees to sell Queensland mines for $6.49b BHP (ASX:BHP) and Mitsubishi Development (MDP) have agreed to sell the Blackwater and Daunia mines for up to $6.49b (US$4.1b). Two wholly owned subsidiaries of Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) have agreed to acquire both mines. The purchase price comprises of $3.32b (US$2.1b) cash on completion, $1.74b (US$1.1b) in cash over three years completion and the potential for up to $1.42b (US$900m) in a price-linked earnout payable over three years. BHP president of minerals Australia Geraldine Slattery commented on the transaction. “Whitehaven Coal has a strong track record as a responsible and reliable operator, and we will work closely with them to achieve a smooth change...