Author: Chloe Coutinho

(Image source: Iluka Resources) Iluka shares were down about 14% following the announcement.

Mineral sands downturn forces $565m Iluka adjustment

Critical minerals producer Iluka Resources (ASX: ILU) has flagged a $565m pre-tax hit tied to its mineral sands business as weak demand continues to weigh on prices.

Kwinana lithium hydroxide production declined to 2120kt in Q2.

IGO: ‘No pathway’ for Kwinana even as lithium rebounds

A recovery in lithium prices has strengthened IGO’s (ASX: IGO) Greenbushes operation, but the miner says Kwinana remains a high-cost asset with “no pathway” to appropriate returns.

Alta Copper is currently the 100% owner of the Cañariaco copper project.

Fortescue targets copper

Alta Copper shareholders have approved Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) proposed acquisition of its portfolio of exploration assets, including the Cañariaco copper project in northern Peru.

FY26 exploration expenditure remains unchanged at $225m.

Northern Star slashes guidance as sales take a hit

Northern Star (ASX: NST) has revised FY26 production and cost guidance following lower gold sales across its three production centres in the December quarter.

Greatland remains on track to complete the largest annual drilling program in Telfer’s operating history, with about 240,000m total drilling planned in FY26.

Wyloo snaps up remaining Greatland stake

Wyloo will acquire Newmont’s (ASX: NEM) remaining interest in Greatland (ASX: GGP), lifting its holding to 18.13% as gold prices push past $7200 amid geopolitical tensions.

In October, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald signed a landmark bilateral framework agreement to secure critical minerals and rare earths mining and processing outside of China.

US-based critical minerals company to acquire Australian Strategic Materials

Energy Fuels is set to acquire Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: ASM) for about $447m.

The Australian Energy Market Operator Draft 2026 ISP reaffirmed that renewable energy, firmed with storage and backed up by gas, presents the least-cost way to supply secure and reliable electricity to consumers through to 2050 as coal plants retire.

WA coal miner given 5-year lifeline as state-owned coal exit looms

The WA Government will extend Griffin Coal’s State Agreement from July 2026 by up to five years, allowing the Ewington Mine in Collie to continue supplying coal to industry and the privately owned Bluewaters Power Station.

QME2026

Jansen Stage 1, which is expected to deliver about 4.15mtpa, is now 75% complete.

BHP’s Canadian potash bill hits $12.5b after second cost reset

BHP has lifted the forecast cost of Jansen Stage 1 to $12.5b (US$8.4b), up from the initial $8.4b ($US5.7b) estimate in August 2021.

The Dante project is located in the West Musgrave region of WA.

Terra confirms second PGM discovery

Terra Metals (ASX: TM1) has confirmed a second new platinum group metal (PGM) copper-nickel sulfide discovery at the Southwest Prospect within the Dante project.

These new opportunities build on a 2023 agreement between Rio Tinto and BHP to mine the Mungadoo Pillar, which allowed mining of ore from the shared tenure boundary that was previously inaccessible.

Rio and BHP eye Pilbara iron ore deal

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and BHP (ASX: BHP) will work together to extract up to 200mt from their neighbouring Pilbara iron ore operations, Yandicoogina and Yandi.

Last week, Monadelphous announced it had also been awarded a contract with Rio Tinto for modifications to the existing process plant associated with the Hope Downs 2 project.

Monadelphous lands major Rio contract

Monadelphous (ASX: MND) has been awarded a $300m long-term maintenance services contract with Rio Tinto.