Author: Chloe Coutinho

The South Australia Government has announced its contribution of $650m to support Whyalla steelworks as part of the $2.4b sovereign steel package in partnership with the Federal Government. This comes as part of the state’s FY26 budget and follows the state placing OneSteel Manufacturing, Whyalla steelworks’ owner, into administration in early 2025. The budget provides $192m of stabilisation funding, a further $395m for modernising of the steelworks and $63m in an emergency response package. Industry response to the budget has been mixed, with criticism coming from South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) and The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC). “In total, this amounts to $650m over three years or 2% of the South Australian resource…

Metso has signed an agreement to sell its ferrous business to SMS group, a global company providing technology and services in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the metals industry. Some of the businesses to be divested include travelling grate pelletising and CircoredTM direct reduction process, as well as the related service business. About 180 employees, primarily based in Germany, India and China, are planned to join the SMS group at the closing of the transaction. The closing of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to take place in Q1 CY26. Metso minerals business area president Piia Karhu says SMS group is a great home for the ferrous technologies. “It can offer both focus and scale…

New research released this week into ancient sedimentation, deformation and mineralisation could support renewed exploration interest in under-explored areas of WA. The ancient sediments of the Yeneena Basin in WA’s north host proven mineral resources including the Telfer (gold-copper), Nifty (copper) and recently discovered Winu (copper-gold) deposits. However, the wider mineral potential of much of this region, remains largely unknown, with the deformed basin fill and its rich endowment of gold, copper, uranium and other metals largely obscured by generations of later sedimentary rocks and deep weathering. In a new study supported by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) at the University of Western Australia, researchers have combined detailed studies of the rocks of this region with innovative…

The Queensland Government has saved an Australian-first critical minerals facility in Townsville, with construction of the Queensland Resources Common User Facility starting up. Once operational in late 2026, mining companies will be able to test their mineral processing techniques at the facility and progress samples to market, accelerating commercial development opportunities. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie says the Queensland Government is rescuing the project to drive regional jobs and supercharge the state’s critical minerals capability. “The Government recognises the important role this project will play in developing Queensland’s critical minerals sector and has committed to the project with bulk earthworks now underway on site,” he said. “North Queensland’s reserves alone are…

A lithium powered battery energy storage system (BESS) has been energised at PLS’ (ASX: PLS) Pilgangoora operation in WA marking the completion of stage 1 of the company’s power strategy. The BESS further improves stability and reliability of power at the Pilgangoora operation and decreases power-related emissions intensity. PLS chief sustainability officer Sandra McInnes says the completion of stage 1 of the power strategy is a positive step forward. “Having reliable and stable power is key to our 24-hour remote mining operation,” she said. “The power station upgrade is critical to our decarbonisation pathway to reduce power-related emissions intensity at Pilgangoora. “This project also aligns with our strategy to drive costs down while building for the future, ensuring we have…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will begin early works and conduct final engineering studies to increase production capacity at its Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland, aiming for first output in 2029. The project — named Kangwinan at the request of Traditional Owners, the Wik Waya people — will involve building a new mine and expanding the existing port to almost double bauxite production from Rio Tinto’s Weipa Southern operations, where Amrun is located. Production from the Kangwinan project would replace output from the Andoom mine in Cape York and the Gove mine in the Northern Territory, which are both expected to close toward the end of the current decade. Rio Tinto pacific operations aluminium managing director Armando Torres comments on the…

WA Premier Roger Cook is travelling to Indonesia and Singapore with the aim of reaffirming the state’s important role in supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation of the ASEAN region. While in Indonesia, WA Premier Cook will participate in strategic engagements with the East Java Provincial Government, Indonesia Australia Business Council East Java Chapter and the Australian Consul-General in Surabaya. The WA Premier will spend two days in Surabaya before flying to Singapore. In Singapore, the Premier will participate in a roundtable discussion with government, businesses and investors to discuss energy transition and decarbonisation and related opportunities. WA Premier Cook says Indonesia and Singapore are crucial trading partners for WA – which is why he is prioritising this region for…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Corporación Nacional Del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) have signed binding agreements to form a joint venture to develop and operate a high-grade lithium project in the Salar de Maricunga in Chile. The agreement is the next step in a broader strategic partnership to strengthen both Rio Tinto’s and Chile’s positions as leading suppliers of materials for the global energy transition. Salar de Maricunga is a large lithium-containing resource base in the Atacama region with the potential for scalable, long-life and low-cost production. Its brine has one of the highest average grades of lithium content in the world. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will acquire a 49.99% interest in Salar de Maricunga SpA, through which Codelco…

Three BMA-funded scholars celebrated their successes at the CQ University graduation ceremony in Mackay, Queensland. Bachelor of Nursing graduate Michelle Erikson and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) graduate Julieanne Bergmann joined hundreds of fellow graduates who received their official certification with the help of their BMA scholarships. Michelle is a mum of four children with no extended family support in Mackay. She relied on both her husband and the CQUniCares BMA Community Scholarship funding to help get her through her studies. “The scholarship was extremely beneficial for myself and my family as it helped financially with the costs involved, mainly of unpaid placements hours,” Michelle said. BMA has been in partnership with CQ University since 2013, delivering a mix of…

Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining subsidiary, Barminco, has signed a new contract to continue underground mining operations at the Agnew gold mine for Gold Fields. Agnew is near Leinster, WA and includes multiple underground operations. As part of the renewal, development and production undertaken by Barminco has been agreed for another 3-years plus a 1-year extension option. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is pleased to be extending its relationship with Gold Fields at the Agnew gold mine. “Gold Fields is one of our most longstanding and valued clients, with history of more than 30 years working alongside the various Perenti businesses,” he said. “Our Australian operations are important for Barminco to deliver enduring value…

Rio Tinto is investing $1.8b (US$1.2b) to modernise its Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant in Quebec, Canada, marking the miner’s largest single investment in its hydroelectric assets since the 1950s. The power plant modernisation is essential to secure the future of low-carbon aluminium production in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, supporting the jobs of employees across the region. This allows Rio Tinto to protect its assets for the long term, ensure a more efficient, safe and reliable power supply of renewable energy to smelters, casting houses and other facilities and maintain safe operations for its employees and the community. The project will run until 2032, with an estimation of more than 300 people working on the site at its peak. It includes replacing eight turbine-alternator…