Author: Chloe Coutinho

BHP backs off on potash, breaks records in iron and copper FY25 was a mixed bag for BHP, as the company’s iron ore and copper arms posted record-breaking production while potash aspirations slowed. The miner has increased its estimated capital expenditure by at least $2b for the Jansen stage 1 potash project (JS1) in Canada, which had an original capex of $8.75b (US$5.7b). BHP attributes the increased price tag to inflationary and real cost escalation pressures, design development and scope changes and lower productivity outcomes over the construction period. After surpassing this half-way mark in July 2024, BHP expected to see first production in 2026, becoming a...

Gold outlook: downhill or second wind? The World Gold Council has released its Gold Mid-Year Outlook, as the metal continues its record-setting pace, rising 26% in US dollar terms in H1 CY25. A combination of a weaker US dollar, rangebound rates and a highly uncertain geoeconomic environment has driven this strong investment demand. The paper examines the base, bull and bear cases for gold in H2 CY25. The World Gold Council forecasts that under current consensus expectations for continued normalisation gold could remain rangebound in H2, closing roughly 0%–5% higher than current levels, still equivalent to a 25%–30% annual return Should economic and/or financial conditions deteriorate further, under the bull case, exacerbating...

Sandvik and Glencore roll out collision-avoidance technology Sandvik Mining and Glencore International AG have expanded an existing partnership to complement operational safety and efficiency and optimise performance across Glencore’s underground mixed fleet. Under the expanded partnership, Sandvik can deliver its fully OEM-agnostic Newtrax Collision Avoidance Safety technology and the Newtrax Mining Data Platform (MDP) to complement operational safety and efficiency and continue to optimise performance across Glencore’s underground mixed fleet. Implementation of these solutions on Sandvik and third-party equipment is currently underway at Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company operations in...

First sale of heavy rare earths for ASM Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: ASM) has sold 2kg of terbium metal and 2 kg of dysprosium metal to Magnequench as the company establishes a resilient and dependable supply chain outside of China. These heavy rare earth metals were produced at ASM’s Korean Metals Plant, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing development of its heavy rare earth capabilities, and shipped to Neo Performance Materials’ permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Estonia. In addition to this inaugural heavy rare earth metals sale, ASM has also completed the sale of 10t of neodymium-praseodymium metal to...

WA rolls out new Industry Reference Group A new Industry Reference Group (IRG) will provide advice to government on the development of the Western Trade Coast (WTC) as Perth's premier strategic industrial area continues to grow. The group will inform the delivery of common-user infrastructure in the region and consider industry needs in government policy and decision-making. The Western Trade Coast — which covers the Kwinana Industrial Area, Rockingham Industry Zone, Latitude 32 General Industrial Area and Australian Marine Complex —contributes $15b to the WA economy each year and supports...

Miners warn supreme court decision could cost industry millions The Shire of Mount Magnet in WA has won an appeal giving it the right to charge rates on occupied crown land. The decision has flipped a 40-year-old understanding that Local Governments are unable to levy rates on Miscellaneous Licences. Some industry stakeholders worry that the decision by the WA Supreme Court to uphold the appeal in the Shire of Mount Magnet v Atlantic Vanadium 2025 could open the door to a massive financial hit on WA’s resources sector. According to the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) the decision paves the way for councils to lift rates in an area they were previously unable to. “If implemented across WA,...

Bravus cushions Queensland from the ground up Clermont’s littlest locals are playing on safer ground thanks to a helping hand from Bravus Mining and Resources’ Community Grant Program. Bravus Mining and Resources ESG, transformation and reputation head Kate Campbell says the business is delighted to support Clermont Kindergarten and Day Care Centre to buy 22 enormous soft fall mats to increase the use and improve the safety of the kindy’s outdoor play area. “Our Carmichael mine sits just 160km north of Clermont, so the people in the community are...

Draft rehabilitation plan for Hazelwood mine Community members will have a say on the rehabilitation of the former Hazelwood Mine and help shape the Latrobe Valley landscape in Victoria for decades to come. Engie has prepared a draft Declared Mine Rehabilitation Plan (DMRP) for the site, which is now open for public consultation. Engie says the final rehabilitation plans for the site have evolved over several decades and are primarily centred around creation of a full lake in the mine void. A full lake and associated...

High-grade antimony identified in Victoria High-grade antimony sampling results have returned from the Comet discovery at Adelong Gold’s (ASX: ADG) Lauriston gold project, opening up multi-commodity development opportunities. These results provide further evidence of Lauriston’s strong geological parallels to major Victorian gold-antimony systems. This is the first time antimony assays have been systematically undertaken on Comet drill core, despite stibnite veining being observed in core logging. Adelong Gold managing director Ian Holland comments on the results. “The presence of these high-grade antimony zones at Comet, confirmed by sampling undertaken on previous drilling, underscores the strong...

Capricorn Metals snaps up Claw gold project BPM Minerals (ASX: BPM) has entered into a binding agreement to sell its WA Claw gold project to Capricorn Metals (ASX: CMM) for a consideration of $1.5m. Capricorn has paid a $100,000 cash deposit with a further $500,000 cash consideration on completion. Milestone payments totaling $1.5m will also be paid by Capricorn, comprising $750,000 in cash upon the announcement of a JORC compliant mineral resource estimate in excess of 75,000oz of gold on the project and $750,000 in cash upon the announcement of a...

Golden road ahead for Gruyere Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR) has lifted production to 72,980oz at the Gruyere joint venture in WA for the June 2025 quarter. This follows Gold Fields’ $3.7b takeover bid aimed at consolidating Gruyere. Gold Road anticipates Gruyere’s full year production will be at the lower end of guidance of 325,000-255,000oz. June quarter sales totalled 37,741oz at an average price of $5131/oz with about 2027oz gold doré and bullion on hand for Gold Road.