Author: Chloe Coutinho

In February, Newmont announced the intent to divest its non-core assets, including six operations and two projects from its Australian, Ghanaian and North American business units.

Newmont to sell Musselwhite for $1.3b

CANADA — Newmont (ASX: NEM) has agreed to sell its Musselwhite operation in Ontario, Canada, to Orla Mining for up to $1.3b (US$850m) as part of its push to divest from non-core assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Newmont will receive cash consideration of about $1.2b (US$810m) upon closing and up to about $61m (US$40m) in contingent payments. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 CY25, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. Upon closing the announced transactions, Newmont will have surpassed its target of delivering more than $3b (US$2b) in gross proceeds from non-core divestitures. Newmont president and chief executive officer Tom Palmer says the company is pleased to be selling its Musselwhite operation to Orla and has…

Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) has joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) First Suppliers Hub, a global repository of innovative suppliers providing materials needed to support the ambition of industrial decarbonisation in the world by 2050.

Alcoa joins first suppliers hub

Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) has joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) First Suppliers Hub, a global repository of innovative suppliers providing materials needed to support the ambition of industrial decarbonisation in the world by 2050. First Suppliers Hub is a database of global final product and value chain suppliers created by the First Movers Coalition. Members of FMC set a target that at least 10% of their annual primary aluminium procurement volumes meet or exceed the Coalition’s definition for low-carbon primary aluminium. FMC defines low-carbon as below three tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne of primary aluminium on a cradle-to-gate basis. First Suppliers Hub simplifies First Movers Coalition members’ aim to leverage their purchasing power by sharing emerging decarbonisation…

Keeping cobalt competitive - midstream processing in Australia - CSIRO

Keeping cobalt competitive: midstream processing in Australia

In the fourth instalment of the Australian Mining Review’s critical minerals series, we speak with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO Futures manager Beni Delaval and CSIRO chief research scientist Chris Vernon for a deep dive into emerging mid-stream processing pathways for cobalt as highlighted in the agency’s From Minerals to Materials: An Assessment of Australia’s Critical Minerals Mid-Stream Processing Capabilities report. According to the IEA, cobalt demand is expected to increase from 171.6kt in 2022, to 524.7kt in 2050, driven by emerging clean energy technologies, specifically the use of cobalt in lithium-ion batteries. Australia has the opportunity to capitalise on this swell in demand, while enabling global divestment from the cobalt dominating the global supply chain, which is indivisible from…

Fortescue - FMG-230620-Iron Bridge-377 - Base

Fortescue’s Iron Bridge: a future forged in green metals

Fortescue has found its stride at its Iron Bridge project in WA, the company’s first foray into magnetite operations. Now, the company is looking to ramp up the project’s high grade magnetite production to nameplate capacity, ensuring it stands as a testament to what can be achieved in a net zero future. The Australian Mining Review speaks with Fortescue (ASX: FMG) Iron Bridge operations director Graham Howard about the unique features of Iron Bridge, renewable energy initiatives and the company’s development plans. AMR: Iron Bridge signifies Fortescue’s entry into the high-grade segment of the iron ore market, providing an enhanced product range while also increasing annual production and shipping capacity. Will we see more resources pumped into green iron and…

Energy evolution requires Australia to face inconvenient truths

Energy evolution requires Australia to face inconvenient truths

Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) executive chairman Jake Klein spoke on the challenges Australia must face to meet the demands of the energy transition and make the most of its resources boon at the WA Mining Club October luncheon. The state of play for Australia is rapidly changing, driven not only by the energy transition, but also by the realisation of Australia’s wealth of key resources and transforming trade connections with China. Mr Klein says a lot has changed since he first got into mining. “When I first started working in the mining industry 30 years ago, and China emerged as Australia’s largest customer, the iron ore price was around $25 per tonne and we were selling roughly 120mtpa,” he said.…

In August, The Federal Court of Australia stayed its decision to refuse renewal of ERA’s Jabiluka mineral lease.

Rio takes full control of Jabiluka

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) announced its compulsory acquisition of all remaining Energy Resources Australia (ERA) (ASX: ERA) shares that it does not currently own. This follows a ruling by the Takeovers Panel that Rio would assume control over rehabilitation activities at Jabiluka. As a result of Rio Tinto taking up its pro rata entitlements in the entitlement offer and the level of participation by other ERA shareholders, Rio Tinto will hold over 98% of ERA’s shares. Rio intends to proceed with the compulsory acquisition at $0.002 per ERA share, being the same price as the entitlement offer. Rio Tinto Australia chief executive Kellie Parker says the company remains committed to the successful rehabilitation of the Ranger project area to a…

Over 11,600 individual contributions of experiences, views and insights were made to the progress review process.

Rio’s culture of ‘everyday respect’

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has published the findings of an independent, external progress review on its work to deliver sustained workplace cultural change across its global operations. Two years into a long-term cultural change program, the review found that progress is being made with promising signs of improved culture, innovation and performance. The progress review was conducted by former Australian sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who undertook the Everyday Respect review of workplace culture that Rio Tinto publicly released in 2022. It found that Rio Tinto’s response to the Everyday Respect Report is gaining momentum throughout the company and has established a solid foundation for building a more diverse workforce and inclusive culture. Elizabeth Broderick comments on the findings. “I…

The statement also includes major projects as important matters for the WA EPA to consider, including the delivery of Westport, WA's next seawater desalination plant in Alkimos, and the new public Women and Babies hospital.

WA EPA prioritises critical minerals

The WA Government has provided the independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with its first ever Statement of Expectation to help drive new housing and clean energy projects across the State. The document — created as part of recently legislated changes to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 — was a key recommendation of the Vogel-McFerran Review and is intended to help the WA EPA better understand the WA Government’s priorities. The statement highlights several strategic priorities, which the WA EPA will consider when managing its priorities, including critical minerals, hydrogen and downstream processing projects that will diversify the State’s economy and transmission infrastructure and other projects that will drive WA’s renewable energy transition and Collie’s Just Transition. WA Premier Roger Cook…

(Image source: Zenith Energy)

Big caps zip to net zero with Zenith

As we move into 2025, the net zero goalposts don’t seem so far away. With the energy transition milestone fast approaching, mining needs to dig into its reserves, potentially its renewable ones, to advance past the final hurdles. But what are net zero goals actually asking mining companies to achieve? Australia’s net zero target defines the floor for the country’s emissions ambitions as a 43% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030. The target additionally defines a multi-year emissions budget from 2021 to 2030. According to the Federal Government’s 2023 emissions projections, Australia is set to achieve a 37% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, meaning additional measures are needed to reach the target. If mining — which accounts for 10%…

(Image source: Greatland Gold)

Greatland all-in on Australian gold

As Australian gold giant Newmont (ASX: NEM) turns to give full attention to its tier one assets, London-based hopeful Greatland Gold is cutting a clear path to renewing a major mining complex in WA. With its planned acquisition of 100% of the Telfer mine and the remaining 70% of its neighbour, Havieron, for about $723m (US$475m), Greatland Gold is heading straight to the ASX. The company says it intends to establish dual listing within six months of acquisition completion. Why is the company going all in on its Australian assets? Greatland Gold chief executive Shaun Day says it’s about getting the best of both worlds. “We were really focused on the initial integration and installing the operating disciplines we want…

(Image source: Curtin University) Pictured L-R are Curtin University Associate Professor Elsayed Oraby with Draslovka chief technology officer Ivor Bryan.

$3M partnership to drive innovation in critical minerals sector

Curtin University has announced a new $3m research collaboration with Mining Process Solutions (MPS), a division of Draslovka to commercialise a safer more sustainable mineral extraction technology in the resources sector. The project, one of 47 research initiatives supported by the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer to date, will focus on advancing glycine leaching technology through a new Innovative Leaching Research Project Team led by Curtin University Associate Professor Elsayed Oraby. “The non-toxic amino acid has the potential to replace hazardous chemicals like cyanide in mineral extraction processes,” Prof Oraby said. “The safer and more sustainable process is particularly suited for extracting valuable metals including gold, copper, cobalt and nickel from ore, making it a critical innovation in the…