Author: Chloe Coutinho

Algae cultivation: a multimillion-dollar opportunity With 240 mines in Australia projected to close by 2040, algae could be key in managing site water quality, improving mine closure outcomes and creating business opportunities. A new report released by the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME) has found notable benefits in using algae-based technologies to help mitigate the environmental impacts of mining during operations and after closure. Integrating algae into mine site closure planning could enable the creation of algae-based supply chains — with potential for regional, Indigenous and Australian enterprises....

Metso unveils game-changing Sustainable Flowsheet Explorer Metso is launching the Sustainable Flowsheet Explorer (SFX) in response to rising demand for strategic minerals and metals, depleting ore deposits and stricter environmental regulations and a call for innovative system-level thinking in minerals processing. The SFX enables the assessment, simulation and comparison of technological alternatives on circuit and full flowsheets within minutes instead of weeks. This innovative digital solution provides valuable insights on energy consumption, water usage, GHG emissions, costs, metallurgical performance and much more. Metso minerals digital process performance vice president Rodrigo Grau says the Sustainable Flowsheet Explorer streamlines the evaluation and comparison of technological...

NSW Global Operator Challenge winner announced Operator Tim Lamb from Edgeworth has become NSW’s best Cat® machinery operator following the thrilling State Final of the Caterpillar® Global Operator Challenge, held at WesTrac’s dig pit in Tomago. The 34-year-old, who works with Daracon Group, outperformed nine other finalists in the challenges, designed to test the skill, accuracy and agility of competitors. Tim was crowned state champion and will join WA’s champion Max Harris on an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan, where they will compete against international operators at the Asia-Pacific Regional Finals in October. (Image source: WesTrac) The NSW GOC 2025...

Liebherr-Australia and Mineco deliver on new partnership Liebherr-Australia celebrated its new partnership with Mineco — an Australian-based mining services provide — with the handing over of a brand-new R 9150 excavator set to go to work at Mount Arthur coal mine in NSW. The commissioning of this excavator highlights Liebherr-Australia’s continued growth in the 150-tonne class mining segment in Australia and reinforces the company’s commitment to providing innovative and efficient solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the Australian mining industry. Liebherr-Australia’s Mount Thorley branch will provide Mineco and its...

Metso launches next-gen cone crushers Metso is extending its Nordberg® HPe series™ to larger crushing capacities for both aggregates production and high-demand mining applications with the introduction of the HP600e, HP800e and HP900e cone crushers. Metso aggregates HP Cones product manager Ilkka Somero says the evolution of the cone crusher technology brings multiple benefits and presents a true step change in terms of performance, uptime, serviceability and application coverage. “We are excited to expand the Nordberg® HPe series and bring to market a wider offering of these high-performance crushers fit for different production purposes,” he...

Regulatory changes for methane emissions reporting New regulatory changes could significantly increase the amount of methane emissions reported by coal mines, as well as make methane recovery and utilisation a more attractive option, according to a new study from The University of Queensland’s Gas & Energy Transition Research Centre (UQGET). The study, which was jointly written by a team from UQGET and Novus Fuels, examines a range of Bowen Basin coal mines using the new, more precise methane emission estimation methods that will soon...

EQ Resources responds to growing tungsten demand EQ Resources (ASX: EQR) has entered five long-term offtake agreements for the next 24 months of production from its tungsten operations in Australia and Spain. Based on the current pricing for tungsten, the total value of these agreements is estimated to be $195m (US$124m), representing volumes of 470 containers, each container holding 20mt of 50% tungsten trioxide concentrate. These long-term offtake contracts have been executed with leading international tungsten consumers. EQR says the counterparties to these agreements are well-known producers of tungsten and tungsten-related products and considered to be in the top three producers in their respective markets, covering the production of ammonium paratungstate (APT), tungsten oxide and tungsten carbide materials— with all...

Speewah delivers promising results Tivan has completed the current phase of flotation optimisation testwork for the Speewah fluorite project WA, with improvements in both fluorite grade and recoveries. Grades of up to 98.8% calcium fluorite were achieved from fourteen cleaner flotation trials. Testwork also demonstrated potential to improve fluorite recoveries from 90% to up to 95% at the 97% calcium fluorite acidspar product specification. The results demonstrate that the 97% calcium fluorite acidspar product specification can be achieved and support engineering design of the process plant and further testwork being undertaken as part of the feasibility study being progressed. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson says the company is very pleased to have achieved this important technical milestone. “The testwork results...

Curtin and Nimy advance gallium R&D Nimy Resources (ASX: NIM) and Curtin University will collaborate on advancing gallium-related research, development and production, positioning Nimy to unlock the potential of its significant high-grade gallium deposits. The signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) by Curtin and Nimy establishes a framework for cooperation to strengthen Australia’s position in the critical minerals sector, specifically focusing on gallium — a vital material for advanced technology, renewable energy and defence applications. The non-binding agreement reflects a shared commitment to leveraging Nimy's high-grade gallium discovery and...

POSCO showcases new cathode and anode technologies POSCO Future M is featuring its new cathode and anode material technologies and products at InterBattery 2025, held at COEX Seoul May 5-7. POSCO Future M will showcase its cathode and anode material technology roadmap and the group-level supply chain achievements spanning raw materials, materials and recycling to address the temporary demand stagnation known as the “chasm” by enabling electric vehicles that travel farther, charge faster and cost less. First, for electric vehicles that travel farther, the company is introducing Ultra Hi-Ni (Ultra High Nickel) single-crystal...

MinRes helps Pilbara footy continue to kick goals Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) is extending its partnership with the North Pilbara Football League (NPFL) for a further three years in a $90,000 deal. MinRes continue as the League’s major sponsor — with MinRes’ logo adorning umpire uniforms and ground signage — and all finals matches will also continue to be known as the MinRes Finals Series. MinRes will also continue to support...