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Lithium Australia's lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode material matches or exceeds leading competitor products based on final independent testing by NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions.

Lithium Australia’s LFP cathode material confirmed as high-quality

Lithium Australia (ASX: LIT) has confirmed that final independent testing of its lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode material shows the product to be of high quality, matching or exceeding leading competitor products across capacity, stability and high temperature performance. Testing was completed by NOVONIX Battery Technology Solutions Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVONIX Limited (ASX: NVX), with the positive results promising an alternative to the existing LFP supply heavily concentrated in China. Lithium Australia chief executive and managing director Simon Linge commented on the results. “We are excited to receive such strong results for our LFP cathode material, validating our technology and proprietary production process,” he said. “These results highlight how our product’s performance can match or exceed the market…

RC drill rig.

Maximus Resources begins 1500m drill program in WA

A 1500m reverse circulation drilling program has begun at Maximus Resources’ (ASX:MXR) Hilditch gold project and the Kandui nickel prospect in WA. Seven holes will be drilled at Hilditch to target two previously identified parallel lodes to support a potential gold resource while seven holes will be drilled at Kandui to test a potential high-grade plunge from existing nickel mineralisation. The overall aim of this drilling program is to expand Maximus’ earlier results, update the mineral resource estimate of 132kt at 1.77g/t gold for 7511oz gold at Hilditch and expand the known mineralisation in three identified lodes. Managing director Tim Wither commented on the drilling program. “This latest drill program follows up on previous drilling at Hilditch, which successfully identified…

There have been substantial delays in obtaining final regulatory approvals required to commence construction and mining activities at the Atlas mineral sands project, north of Perth, WA.

Image reduces 50% staff, waiting for Atlas approvals

Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has initiated employee reductions due to continuing delays in environmental approvals for mining at its 100%-owned Atlas mineral sands project in the North Perth Basin of WA. On 20 September this year, the company notified more than half of its operational employees at its Boonanarring mineral sands project, about 100km north of Perth in WA, that their positions will be made redundant effective 30 September as the project moves to care and maintenance mode. Image completed mining and processing activities at Boonanaring in August and its original plan was to maintain the operating team during the planned relocation of operations to Atlas, about 100km north of Boonanarring. Image Resources managing director and chief executive Patrick Mutz…

2018 scholarship recipient Phill McKenna conducting research at New Hope’s former Jeebropilly Mine near Amberley.

$200k+ mine rehab scholarships up for grabs

More than $200k in post-graduate student scholarships is up for grabs to build on Queensland’s reputation as an international leader in coal mine rehabilitation. Two scholarships valued at $40,000 a year over three years are now available through the Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust to post-graduate students studying at a Queensland university. Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart says the scholarships give two university students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in world-class environmental management. “Mine rehabilitation is a key part of a company’s life of mine planning cycle to ensure better environmental outcomes and help create more jobs for Queenslanders after a mine is no longer in use,” he said. “Good progress has been made in rehabilitation in Queensland and these…

Newcrest Lihir - Infrastructure in place.

Going For Gold In Papua New Guinea

With bilateral trade of over $6b in 2020, Australia is Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) biggest trade partner. Australia is also a major investor in PNG, with investment valued at around $248b in 2021. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has indicated more than 4000 Australian companies export to PNG and according to the Federal Government’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Department, Australia is PNG’s largest development partner and main economic and security partner. Its major export markets include Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea with leading products including petroleum gas, gold, copper ore, crude petroleum and rough wood. Gold mineralisation was discovered at the Lihir gold mine in 1982. A major exploration campaign was then undertaken between 1982 and 1992 by a joint venture between Kennecott Explorations Australia and Niugini Mining. The Lihir…

Geologists sampling rocks.

Tasmania mineral exploration totals $43.1m in FY23

Mineral exploration in Tasmania has hit a new record with figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing $43.1m was spent in the 2022-23 financial year. Tasmania Resources Minister Felix Ellis says mineral exploration in the state is now at its highest level on record. “There has been an increase in exploration expenditure of 31% on the preceding fiscal year,” he said. “We know the world will need the key and critical minerals that Tasmania has to help power the global shift to renewable energy and to support defence manufacturing. “This is exactly why we are backing the industry to grow in a balanced way through programs like our popular Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI) and Geoscience Initiative. “The EDGI…

CISA vice chairman Luo Tiejun, BHP Chief Commercial Officer Vandita Pant and WAIO asset president Brandon Craig in Port Hedland

BHP delivers 3bt of iron ore to China

BHP (ASX:BHP) has celebrated the shipment of 3bt of high-quality iron ore to China. To mark this milestone, key customer representatives were given a tour of BHP’s Pilbara and Port Hedland operations and a gala event was held in Perth. On the tour, BHP chief commercial officer Vandita Pant and BHP asset president of WA iron ore Brandon Craig were joined by China Iron and Steel Association vice chairman Luo Tiejun and key customer representatives at the Mining Area C and South Flank mines as well as the Port Hedland export facility. Mr Craig says this is a significant milestone for the company. “This is a significant milestone for BHP’s iron ore business and for WA, and we are…

The Sandvik TH665B mining truck.

Largest battery-electric underground mining truck begins trials at Sunrise Dam

An agreement between AngloGold Ashanti, Barminco and Sandvik has resulted in the trial of the largest battery-electric underground mining truck. The Sunrise Dam mine, owned by AngloGold, in WA will host the world-first trials as the Sandvik TH665B truck is to put to work in Australian conditions. As well as producing zero diesel emissions underground and generating 80% less heat, the truck is expected to be up to 25% faster on a 1:7 ramp than regular diesel trucks. Head of electrification and technology for Barminco parent company Perenti Darren Kwok says he is excited to see what the agreement can achieve. “As a business, we are focused on how we can support our clients to decarbonise their mines and trialling…

In just over 15 years, South Australia has shifted its energy source from 1% to around 70% renewable energy and is targeting 100% by 2030.

World-first Hydrogen and Renewable Act Bill in South Australia

In a world-first, the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act Bill has been introduced to the South Australian Parliament. With the State’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector, the Act aims to streamline the process for companies wanting to invest in large-scale projects in South Australia, while providing a framework that considers the needs of the environment, Aboriginal rights holders, landowners and communities. In just over 15 years, South Australia has shifted its energy source from 1% to around 70% renewable energy and is targeting 100% by 2030. The proposed Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act aims to introduce a ‘one window to government’ licencing and regulatory system for the lifecycle of large-scale hydrogen and renewable energy projects in South Australia. Under the…

High-capacity battery energy storage system.

WA Government awards more than $1b in contracts for battery energy storage systems

The WA State Government has awarded more than $1b in contracts to deliver new battery energy storage systems in Kwinana and Collie. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co was contracted to supply around 300 EnerC Plus containerised liquid-cooling battery systems for Kwinana Battery Stage Two and around 650 EnerC Plus for Collie. Further, Power Electrics will deliver 72 inverters for the Kwinana battery and 160 inverters for the Collier battery. WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston commented on the contracts. “Contemporary Amperex Technology is a global leader of new energy innovative technologies, providing more than 600 battery units for Kwinana Battery Stage One, which is now storing energy and discharging into the grid,” he said. “Power Electronics is a leading manufacturer of inverters…

The World Gold Council is encouraging further transparency around the global gold trade.

World Gold Council members commit to better supply-chain transparency

World Gold Council members have committed to providing enhanced transparency in the gold supply chain. Its 33 members represent the majority of the global large-scale gold mining industry and collectively produce about 1,300tpa of gold. As part of the commitment, the members will publish the names and locations of their refining partners on at least an annual basis, to include all operations where the primary revenue comes from the production of gold. World Gold Council chief executive David Tait says he is delighted that members are leading the way in transparency. “Pursuing enhanced supply chain transparency is good for the companies who produce, the communities who benefit from employment, training and skills, and investors and consumers, who can be assured…