Author: Chloe Coutinho

Indigenous-led business Upcycle Tyre Services (Upcycle) has been awarded a $5m contract to recycle haulage tyres from Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) (MinRes) Onslow Iron project in WA, turning them into materials used to build infrastructure and playgrounds. A joint venture between King Kira Group (KKG) and Carroll Engineering Services, Upcycle is spearheaded by KKG founder and managing director and Nyiyaparli/Paylku woman Tammy O’Connor. Ms O’Connor says Upcycle aims to limit landfill waste and create solutions that benefit mining companies, communities and the environment. “I’ve spent 10 years understanding waste — what’s being buried onsite and what could be reused,” she said. “Rather than letting that waste sit underground, we want to create social value by using recycled materials to build…

Through a decade-long commitment to improving safety and efficiency in underground mining, Anglo American’s steelmaking coal operations in Australia have reached a significant milestone. The company’s 10-year vision for a ‘mine of the future’ became reality when all its underground coal mines in the Bowen Basin began operating simultaneously from Remote Operation Centres (ROCs). The Central Queensland underground operations have also hit another remarkable milestone, notching up 10,000 longwall mining shears from those ROCs. Anglo American Australia automation superintendent Matthew Wakeford says the rapid pace of technological innovation — especially in areas like data analytics, automation and digitalisation — have unlocked incredible opportunities for the mining sector to be safer, more productive and more sustainable. “At Anglo American, we have…

Trump’s tariffs: Australia talks exemption Australian industry and the Federal Government are responding to the US Government’s consideration of a uniform 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports. In a call this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald discussed Australia’s bid for an exemption from the sweeping tariffs. Prime Minister Albanese says the US President agreed that an exemption is under consideration in the interest of both countries. “What I’m concerned about is securing an exemption,” Prime Minister Albanese said in a press conference. “I’m about positive relationships and today’s discussion was another step in securing that positive relationship.” Of particular interest is the US’ trade surplus with Australia. “ is about 2:1 when it…

Pilbara Minerals, now known as PLS (ASX: PLS), has completed its acquisition of Latin Resources and its flagship Salinas project in Brazil. The acquisition is consistent with PLS’ strategy to grow and diversify revenues beyond Pilgangoora. According to PLS, the Salinas project has the potential to become a leading hard rock lithium operation by production globally, with development flexibility to supply new markets. With the acquisition complete, the Salinas project will be renamed the Colina project. PLS managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson comments on the acquisition. “On behalf of the PLS board of directors and the leadership team, we would like to welcome Latin Resources team members and security holders joining PLS,” he said. “We are excited by…

The Federal and WA Governments are teaming up to bolster Australia’s critical minerals processing power with a joint $3m investment to support a feasibility study for a common user Critical Minerals Advanced Processing (CMAP) facility in WA. Federal Resources and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King says the funding under the $10.2m Critical Minerals National Productivity Initiative will investigate a facility to be built in the Perth region. “The CMAP facility will be home to pilot plant equipment for small and medium sized businesses to undertake downstream processing of critical minerals and strategic materials at demonstration scale,” she said. “Common user facilities are an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to scaling up our capacity to process our mineral…

Australian Gold Reagents’ (AGR) Board has made a final investment decision to proceed with the expansion of its sodium cyanide production facility in Kwinana, WA. According to AGR, this positions the company as one of the world’s largest sodium cyanide producers for the gold mining industry. AGR general manager Barney Jones says the expansion will enable the business to meet the growing global demand for sodium cyanide for gold mining operations, while delivering on its sustainability goals. “The expansion will increase AGR’s annual sodium cyanide production capacity by over 30%, bringing total sodium cyanide solution capacity to approximately 130,000tpa,” he said. “It also includes an increase in our solids production capacity to facilitate increased exports to our international customers. “Sodium…

The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program continues to address mental well-being, positive workplace culture and safety in the WA mining industry by supporting exceptional students through PhD scholarships. The PhD scholarships, awarded by the Minerals Research Institute of WA (MRIWA), are championing high quality PhD students who are leading the way in health and psychosocial safety research in the minerals sector. The innovative research underway emphasises the importance of workplace culture and safety in the WA minerals sector. Research activities include: exploring how psychological capital can be leveraged to improve psychological safety in the WA mining industry context by Roger James at Edith Cowan University; assessing a range of occupational hygiene dust sampling devices to determine their suitability…

BHP (ASX: BHP) has awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract to a joint venture between Fluor Australia and Hatch, to support the proposed expansion of its copper smelter and refinery facilities in South Australia. The contract will be executed in stages as BHP progresses towards a final investment decision on the smelter and refinery expansion in H1 FY27 and through to subsequent construction. The first stage of EPCM activity represents more than $40m investment to lead overall strategy and planning through the project’s study phases. BHP group procurement officer Rashpal Bhatti says Fluor and Hatch are experienced global EPCM partners with significant shared experience in delivering mega projects, who will bring the right level of scale and…

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions now offers electric versions of its entire range of next generation intelligent rotary blasthole drills, the company’s latest initiative to offer customers solutions that support the mining industry’s sustainability shift.  Sandvik DR410iE, Sandvik DR411iE, Sandvik DR412iE, Sandvik DR413iE and Sandvik DR416iE comprise an intelligent electric rotary range covering hole diameters from 152-406mm.  Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions rotary drills product manager Nellaiappan Subbiah says Sandvik iE-series drill rigs use the same modular platform as the company’s diesel-powered rotary rigs but with the added environmental benefits of electrification.  “We now also offer customers the ability to convert a diesel-powered unit to a fully electrified version in the field,” he said.  “These innovative drills deliver superior performance,…

The Minerals Council of Australia has concluded its inaugural Minerals Industry Experience (MiEX) Program, designed to provide hands-on exposure to the minerals industry through a two-week immersive experience.  This innovative program has set a new benchmark in addressing the critical STEM talent shortage in Australia’s minerals industry by offering immersive, paid experiences to first-year university students.   In the first week of the program, students engaged in interactive sessions on mining fundamentals, sustainability, innovation, processing and water and tailings closure management, followed by three days of on-site experiences at leading mining operations. The final two days featured reflection activities and networking events to support future career development.   Participants had the chance to meet industry professionals, hear career stories and explore pathways…

Indigenous company Indigital and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) have partnered on an initiative that combines traditional knowledge with digital innovation to protect and restore Country and strengthen culture, while advancing sustainable mining practices for the energy transition. Initially focused on communities in Far North Queensland, the Caring for Country program enables Indigenous communities to harness conservation technologies, such as AI-driven data analysis, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for mapping land features and Internet of Things environmental sensors to monitor soil and water health. The program also uses augmented reality and virtual reality to capture and preserve cultural knowledge and languages for future generations and, by integrating technology with traditional knowledge, helps create economic opportunities, including employment, entrepreneurship and new industries.…