Author: Chloe Coutinho

Vitrinite’s Vulcan South mine is an open-cut operation that produces steel-making coal with the mine expected to produce almost 2mtpa of metallurgical coal and support around 450 jobs at peak in 2027.

Australian-first coal extraction tech powers up jobs

Australian-first coal extraction tech powers up jobs A Central Queensland mine has made history today as the first in Australia to deploy an advanced high wall mining system to extract coal with cutting-edge efficiency. Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last joined Vitrinite staff and community leaders to mark the first use of the company’s HW300 Highwall Miner at its Vulcan South mine near Dysart. The HW300 Highwall Miner provides access to coal seams that traditional methods cannot reach, improving operational safety, reducing...

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden in front of his haul truck ride.

Digging coal is the goal for Cowboys co-captain

Digging coal is the goal for Cowboys co-captain Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden has shown he'd have no trouble swapping footy boots for steel caps in the distant future when he’s ready to transition to a life after rugby league. The superstar five-eighth looked right at home behind the wheel of a massive Caterpillar 796AC haul truck during a trip to the Carmichael mine to shoot the new "Digging Coal, Kicking Goals" campaign that celebrates the Platinum Partnership between Bravus Mining and Resources and the Cowboys. Mr Dearden says the visit, including a lap of mining operations sitting in the...

According to E25, the Butcherbird Project in WA hosts Australia’s largest onshore manganese resource, comprising large tonnages of near-surface manganese oxide ore in seven deposits.

Butcherbird receives final approval

Butcherbird receives final approval Element 25 (ASX: E25) has received a formal works approval from the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for the Butcherbird expansion project. The project is now fully approved under WA Regulatory Framework to construct a 1.1mpta manganese concentrate production operation. Butcherbird manganese will be the primary feedstock for E25’s planned battery grade, high purity manganese sulphide monohydrate (HPMSM) processing facility in Louisiana, USA. E25 will also sell Butcherbird manganese concentrate product to customers in the manganese alloy and steel industries. All other required approvals...

Rio Tinto’s three production assets in the Gladstone region are the Boyne aluminium smelter, the Yarwun alumina refinery and the Queensland alumina refinery.

Rio Tinto secures power for Gladstone

Rio Tinto secures power for Gladstone Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Edify Energy have signed two new solar and battery hybrid services agreements (HSAs) to increase the supply of reliable, competitively priced electricity to Rio Tinto’s Gladstone aluminium operations in Queensland. Under the agreements, Rio Tinto will purchase 90% of the power and battery storage capacity generated by the Smoky Creek & Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations for 20 years. Edify Energy will build, own and operate the projects, with construction due to begin in late 2025 and targeting completion in 2028. Located...

The Pit Boost technology was first deployed in competition during Round 3 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s Season 11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and will continue to be deployed during double-headers as part of the 16-race calendar this season, including rounds in Monaco, Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin and London.

Fortescue Zero fuels Formula E

Fortescue Zero fuels Formula E Fortescue Zero (ASX: FMG) has been announced as the Official Pit Boost Provider of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for Season 11. Having successfully developed and launched its new Pit Boost technology for the all-electric series, its hardware provides teams competing in the global championship with a +10% boost of total battery capacity, in 30...

According to the ASI, steel generates 100,000 jobs and $30b in annual revenue in Australia

Australian steel answers back

Australian steel answers back The Australian steel industry and Federal Government have responded to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that there will be no exemption on the country’s steel and aluminium tariffs. This follows efforts from the Federal Government to make a case for Australian exemption. According to the Australian Steel Institute (ASI), the last Trump administration granted Australia an exemption after nine months of lobbying by the government and others. The ASI says it will continue to work with the Federal Government to secure an exemption from the 25% tariff on Australian steel, despite confirmation today that the tariff will...

(Image source: CIMIC Group) In total, the contracts will provide approximately $150 million in revenue for UGL across multiple years.

UGL unlocks $150m in contracts

UGL unlocks $150m in contracts CIMIC Group company UGL has been awarded several new contracts and contract extensions with existing WA clients: Alcoa (ASX: AAI), bp, Chevron and Woodside (ASX: WDX). UGL has been awarded a contract with Chevron Australia for construction services, supporting the installation of modules, equipment, structure, piping and electrical and instrumentation works. Additionally, UGL has received an 11-month contract extension for the supply of services to Alcoa’s mining and refining operations in WA for the continued management and execution of mechanical, electrical and access services for maintenance work. UGL has also received...

The Hydrogen Production and Research Facility is owned by the Blue Economy CRC and situated at BOC Australia in Lutana, Hobart.

Tasmania’s first green hydrogen production facility

Tasmania’s first green hydrogen production facility Green hydrogen is now being produced in Tasmania, with the state’s first facility delivered by the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre. Tasmania Energy and Renewables Minister Nick Duigan says the Tasmanian Government welcomes the launch of the production facility and hydrogen microgrid. “This facility is one of Australia’s largest electrolysers, generating up to 100% renewable hydrogen, providing an alternative and reliable energy supply that could replace carbon-intensive fossil fuels and diesel across a range of industries,” he said. " Government has a goal to reach 200% renewable electricity...

The all-cash deal will see Arcadium shareholders receive $8.69 (US$5.85) for every share held.

Rio Tinto completes Arcadium Lithium acquisition

Rio Tinto completes Arcadium Lithium acquisition Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has completed its acquisition of Arcadium Lithium (ASX: LTM) for $9.95b (US$6.7b), establishing the miner as a major lithium producer, with one of the world’s largest lithium resource bases. This makes Rio the ultimate parent company of Arcadium Lithium, which will become Rio Tinto Lithium, and will also include the Rincon lithium project. Rio Tinto Lithium aims to grow the capacity of its Tier 1 assets to over 200ktpa of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by 2028. Complementary technologies and geographies offer compelling value driven by accelerating volume growth in a rising market,...

Regarded as one of the most comprehensive dedicated software businesses in the mining industry, Micromine brings complementary domain expertise to Weir.

Weir to acquire Micromine

Weir to acquire Micromine Weir is accelerating its strategy for sustainable digital mining after entering a binding agreement to acquire Mining Software Holdings (Micromine) for $1.3b (£657m). Micromine is a top-tier global software provider to the mining industry, with comprehensive solutions across the upstream mining value chain. It supports critical mining operations from exploration through mine design and planning, operational scheduling and mining operations in hard ore, soft ore and underground applications. Weir chief executive Jon Stanton says the combined force of Micromine and Weir will create a sector-leading globally scaled platform to optimise performance...

(Image source: Fortescue) IUCN, recognised globally as a leader in nature conservation and sustainable resource use, brings decades of expertise in collaborating with the mining sector on biodiversity-related issues.

Fortescue’s path to protecting biodiversity

Fortescue’s path to protecting biodiversity Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has entered into a strategic three-year collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to develop a comprehensive nature roadmap aimed at achieving a net positive impact on biodiversity. The rapid transition to a low-carbon economic model is accompanied by growing demand for mining products to supply key inputs, including for green technologies. While awareness of the sector’s impact on the environment and livelihoods has never been higher, there is also a growing recognition that business has...