Author: Chloe Coutinho

Rio Tinto’s largest hydroelectric investment in over 70 years 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...

Decmil awarded $80m in contracts 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...

Exploration drives 100% resources bump for Northern Star 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...

Whitehaven celebrates Mother’s Day at Kurrumbede Homestead 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...

Weir and CiDRA announce strategic investment 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...

Sumitomo sweeps up 30% stake in Winu project 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...

Rio Tinto to supply green steelmaking plant 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...

Australia’s first underground lithium mine 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...

NSW looks for new critical minerals projects 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...

Whitehaven inspires future STEM leaders 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...