Author: Chloe Coutinho

Macmahon Holdings’ (ASX: MAH) wholly owned subsidiary, Decmil, has been awarded two new contracts from Eva Copper Mine and Arrow Energy. Decmil will deliver the new operations permanent village at the Eva Copper Mine in Queensland, adding about $70m to Macmahon’s secured orderbook. The project involves the design and construction of a 454-person accommodation village, including accommodation units, central facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, internal roads, drainage, bulk earthworks, services installation and associated infrastructure. Works are set to commence in mid-2025, with completion expected in 2026. In WA, Decmil will also design and construct the Girrawheen satellite warehouse and operations facility for Arrow Energy, adding about $10m to Macmahon’s secured orderbook. The scope of work for Decmil involves the…

The future is bright for Northern Star (ASX: NST), with the miner lifting its mineral resources to 70.7moz and ore reserves to 22.3moz. The results, part of the company’s mineral resources and ore reserves update, are fuelled by exploration efforts driving further value creation. At the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines operation (KCGM), mineral resources are up 100% and ore reserves are up 50% since acquisition five years ago at average discovery success of $13/oz. KCGM mineral resources increased to 38.9moz, up 7.2moz, and ore reserves increased to 14.4moz, up 1.2moz, predominately driven by growth at Fimiston Underground. At Kalgoorlie operations, mineral resources increased to 9moz, up 1.6moz, and ore reserves to 1.9moz, up .3moz. At Jundee in WA, development commenced…

Over in NSW, Gunnedah’s historic Kurrumbede property was transformed to its historic roots over the weekend, as families from across the region gathered for a Mother’s Day inspired Open Day. Hosted by Whitehaven (ASX: WHC) in partnership with the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society and sponsored by Strikeforce Services, the day offered something for everyone. Visitors enjoyed free family fun, heritage displays, delicious food, market stalls and live entertainment. Whitehaven community engagement general manager Darren Swain highlights the significance of the event. “Kurrumbede holds a special place in our region’s history, and this event is a wonderful way to not only honour that legacy but also bring the community together to celebrate it,” he said. “With over 1000 people in attendance,…

Weir and CiDRA Minerals Processing have signed a global collaboration agreement aimed at accelerating the commercialisation and deployment of CiDRA’s P29 technology. This technology introduces an innovative mineral separation solution and unlocks novel flowsheet designs. Under the terms of the agreement, Weir and CiDRA will collaborate globally to leverage the benefits of the P29 technology to develop and deliver transformative flowsheet solutions to help mining companies meet the challenges of reduced head grades, water restrictions, reduced carbon emissions and tailings impound safety. Through this partnership, CiDRA and Weir will jointly develop and deliver cutting-edge mineral processing flowsheets that combine increased throughput with high-efficiency comminution and mineral separation solutions, with the aim of reducing energy and water usage per tonne of…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) have signed the final joint venture agreements to deliver the Winu copper-gold project in the Great Sandy Desert region of WA. Under the agreements, Rio Tinto will continue to develop and operate Winu and SMM will pay Rio Tinto up to $430.4m for a 30% equity share of the project. This includes $195m up front and up to $235.4m in deferred considerations contingent on future milestones. The Winu project is an attractive low-risk, long-life copper-gold deposit discovered by Rio Tinto in 2017. It is considered highly prospective for expansion beyond the initial development. Rio Tinto Copper chief executive Katie Jackson says Rio’s relationship with SMM began in 2000 with a partnership…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will supply 70% percent of the iron ore for Primetals’ industrial-scale prototype plant in Austria. Primetals Technologies, together with its strategic partner Mitsubishi Corporation and Rio Tinto and globally leading steel and technology group voestalpine, signed a cooperation agreement to fast-track the development of fluidised bed and smelter technologies. The participants will implement and operate an industrial-scale prototype plant scheduled for startup in 2027. The plant will feature a new process for potential net-zero carbon dioxide emissions ironmaking at the voestalpine site in Linz. Rio Tinto will also support Primetals Technologies to accelerate the commercialisation of the technology. The new ironmaking process with a projected capacity of 3t/hr of hot metal is based on the HYFOR…

Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has commenced underground production stoping at Kathleen Valley lithium operation’s Mt Mann orebody, with the first blast fired on schedule. This marks a key milestone in the transition from open pit to underground operations over FY26. As Australia’s first underground lithium mine, it is expected to offer distinct advantages over traditional open-pit operations, through cleaner ore extraction by reducing ore dilution from waste contamination, supporting higher lithia recoveries and improved ore fragmentation for optimised throughput. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano says this is a proud milestone for Liontown. “This achievement was made possible by advanced planning, the dedication of our team and the support from our mining partner, Byrnecut, ensuring the first stope…

The NSW Government has launched a new $2.5m co-investment seed funding program to unearth the state’s next major critical minerals projects. The new Critical Minerals Exploration Program is a key part of the government’s Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy. The $2.5 million fund requires a 50% co-investment from successful applicants and is aimed at encouraging more exploration in the state by supporting companies to undertake drilling, geophysics and geochemistry, all crucial steps to determine the scale of a critical minerals deposit. The $2.5m exploration program has four funding streams: Exploration Geochemistry: Up to $50,000 per project Exploration Geophysics: Up to $70,000 per project Exploration Drilling — less than 250m depth: Up to $150,000 per project Exploration Drilling — greater…

The Tamworth Regional Science and Engineering Challenge provided an exciting opportunity for regional students to test their STEM-based problem-solving skills at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre in NSW. Organised by The Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, the annual event is designed to encourage students to consider future careers in the field of STEM, by involving them in a series of activities they wouldn’t normally experience in a classroom. Since its inception in 2001, the challenge has provided students with hands-on experiences in a series of science and engineering challenges. 987 students from 30 schools, including a home-schooled team, competed across four days in a range of challenges, including designing, building…

Children and young adults living with autism have once again experienced the thrill of surfing in Esperance, WA’s pristine waters, thanks to the ongoing partnership between Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) and Ocean Heroes. More than 50 participants aged three to 30 took part in free surfing lessons at Twilight Beach in March, marking the fifth consecutive year that Ocean Heroes has brought its confidence-building sessions to the coastal town. The Ocean Heroes initiative is fast becoming a cherished tradition with locals, with MinRes proud to have supported the Esperance visit for a second year through its Community Grants program. Previously, MinRes funding also enabled Ocean Heroes to purchase eight specialised stand-up paddle boards to help more participants experience the thrill…