Author: Chloe Coutinho

The Federal Government is investing a record $2b into the Australian-made aluminium industry in a move to secure more well-paid jobs for workers. Supercharging the local metals industry, a new Green Aluminium Production Credit will provide targeted support to Australian aluminium smelters switching to reliable, renewable electricity before 2036. Facilities will be eligible for support for every tonne of clean, reliable Australian-made aluminium they make over a period of 10 years. This credit will provide local aluminium smelters with confidence to invest, which the Federal Government says will pave the way for more secure Australian jobs in our world-class aluminium industry. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Federal Government’s plan for a Future Made in Australia is very clear: the…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released its Q4 CY24 production results, with copper and bauxite operations driving consistent performance and profitable growth. Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm says the company is making strong progress in delivering organic growth from its major projects. “The Oyu Tolgoi underground copper mine in Mongolia continues to successfully ramp up, while the Simandou high-grade iron ore project in Guinea and our Western Range mine in the Pilbara are on schedule for first production this year,” he said. “Significant milestones were achieved at our Rincon project in Argentina during the quarter, with first lithium delivered and receipt of Board approval to expand the operation, demonstrating both our operational capabilities and ambition to grow in battery…

MLG Oz has executed key contracts with Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) (Northern Star) for the provision of haulage and site services across four of its operations in the Goldfields of WA. The four contracts are for existing work that MLG has already been performing for Northern Star across the Jundee, South Kalgoorlie, Kanowna Belle and Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations. The total combined value of the contracts has the potential to exceed $45mpa in revenue for MLG. Two of the contracts will run until June 30, 2027. The new agreements with Northern Star come soon after a recent run of contract signings for MLG, having announced in December up to $80m in new contracts with Evolution Mining and…

BHP Canada (ASX: BHP) and Lundin Mining have formed a joint venture (JV) company, Vicuña, following their acquisition of Filo Corp that finalised today. The 50:50 JV will hold the Filo del Sol (FDS) copper project and the Josemaria copper project located in the Vicuña district of Argentina and Chile. Prior to completion, Lundin Mining owned 100% of the Josemaria project. At completion, BHP Canada acquired a 50% interest in the Josemaria copper project from Lundin Mining. BHP Canada and Lundin Mining then contributed their respective 50% interests in Filo Corp and the Josemaria project into the JV. BHP chief executive Mike Henry says the company is pleased to be partnering with Lundin Mining in the Vicuña JV, an exciting…

Three major job-creating regional projects will receive a multimillion-dollar funding boost as part of the WA Government clean energy plan to diversify the economy and set WA up for the future. The WA Government has allocated $34m through its Investment Attraction Fund to three clean energy projects that will drive new job opportunities across WA. WA Premier Roger Cook says WA is on track to become a global clean energy powerhouse, to keep its economy for the long term and create the jobs of the future in the State. “These projects are at the cutting edge of the global energy transition — whether it’s reducing emissions from steel or producing the batteries the world needs for a clean energy future,”…

Alcoa of Australia (ASX: AAI) has inked a new gas supply agreement with Chevron Australia for its WA alumina refineries. Effective January 1, 2028, the agreement will provide a total of 130PJ of gas over a 10-year period. Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller says the new contract plays an important role in securing the future of Alcoa’s WA operations and continues its association with one of the state’s longstanding domestic gas suppliers. “This agreement with Chevron forms part of our long-term energy strategy focussed on ensuring our refineries remain globally competitive whilst sustaining thousands of direct and indirect jobs and businesses in regional WA,” she said. Alcoa directly employs more than 4000 people in WA, with around 60% living in…

POSCO Holdings and Hancock Prospecting have formalised their collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on lithium cooperation. Under the agreement, POSCO Holdings and Hancock Prospecting will pursue a lithium business venture with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons. The two companies will jointly evaluate optimal sites for establishing the lithium production plant, considering multiple countries, including Korea. Subsequent stages will specify detailed aspects such as investment amounts. Through this collaboration, POSCO Holdings aims to secure an additional stable supply chain for lithium raw materials, free from regulations imposed by the Foreign Executive Order Committee (FEOC) of the United States, by leveraging Hancock’s diverse mining assets. Additionally, POSCO Holdings will enhance its lithium value chain — from lithium…

Australia’s two largest iron ore miners and its biggest steelmaker have selected the Kwinana Industrial Area in WA as the location to develop Australia’s largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace (ESF) pilot plant. The groundbreaking project combines the expertise of BlueScope (ASX: BSL), BHP (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) to test technology to enable the use of Pilbara iron ore to produce iron without the need for traditional blast furnaces, as the companies come together to try to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking. The industry leaders formed the NeoSmelt collaboration in February 2024, combining BHP and Rio Tinto’s deep knowledge of Pilbara iron ore, with BlueScope’s unique operating experience in ESF technology. Woodside Energy (ASX: WDS) will also join…