Author: Chloe Coutinho

Pilbara Minerals acquires Latin Resources 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....

Growing critical minerals processing power in WA 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...

AGR proceeds with WA production facility expansion 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...

Mental health in mining PhD scholarships 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...

BHP awards major copper contract 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...

Sandvik goes electric 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...

MCA: building mining’s next generation 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...

Indigital and Rio Tinto launch ‘Caring for Country’ 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...

Aluminium to forge Australia's manufacturing future 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...

Copper, bauxite big for Rio Tinto in Q4 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...