Author: Chloe Coutinho

Atlas achieves first production Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has achieved first heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) production at the company’s 100%-owned Atlas mineral sands project, 170km north of Perth WA. Despite construction delays from site evacuations for the bush fire in late November 2024, accelerated construction in December and January resulted in the completion of all major construction activities, allowing a wind down to the remaining non-process infrastructure items. This is in line with the forecast and associated construction schedule approved by the board in July 2024. Image Resources managing director and chief executive Patrick Mutz says...

Mining jobs and spending in NSW swell Results from the NSW Minerals Council’s latest annual Member Expenditure Survey have confirmed mining’s ongoing strong economic contribution to Cobar. In FY24, participating mining companies supported over 633 local jobs and directly spent $148m in Cobar, according to the survey. This is an increase in spending levels in the Cobar Local Government Area (LGA) of $15m compared to the previous year. It is also the highest level of spending recorded for Cobar since 2018-19 when relevant survey results for Cobar were first recorded. The $148m of direct mining spending in Cobar in FY24...

Fletcher Zone flourishes at Westgold’s Beta Hunt Westgold (ASX: WGX) has reported further results from its inaugural drilling program at the Fletcher Zone and details of planned drilling of the potential southern extension of Fletcher (the Mason Zone target). Additional large, high-grade drilling intervals were returned at Fletcher including 41m at 7.99g/t of gold and 19m at 5.95g/t of gold in hole FF475SP-62AE and 38m at 6.8g/t of gold in hole WF440VD-55AE. Since acquiring the Beta Hunt operation, Westgold has moved quickly to identify and test priority exploration targets. This work...

BHP builds up for big finish in FY25 BHP (ASX: BHP) had a strong start to FY25, with the company expecting an enduring competitive advantage, thanks in part to its portfolio of commodities linked to global megatrends such as population growth, data centres and AI and the energy transition. According to BHP, demand for commodities in the developed world continued to be soft in CY24 as sluggish industrial activity persisted. However, the company expects recovery for steel and copper demand across the OECD in the near-term. Still, BHP says potential trade tensions present a...

Liebherr-Australia repowers Yancoal excavators Liebherr-Australia has successfully repowered two R 9800 excavators for Yancoal at its Mount Thorley Warkworth (MTW) coal mining operation in the Hunter Valley region of NSW. The repower involved replacing the excavators’ existing engines with Liebherr’s D9812 12-cylinder engines, which are designed specifically for the mining industry. This was the first repower of Liebherr R 9800s in the world and highlights Liebherr’s engineering expertise and commitment to supporting customers with innovative solutions that drive performance and efficiency. The process...

Anglo American sets demerger timeline Anglo American has made significant progress towards its demerger of Anglo American Platinum, aiming to finalise the demerger by June. Anglo American chief executive Duncan Wanblad says the company is on a clear timeline towards demerging Anglo American Platinum — the world’s leading PGMs producer — in June, with its primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and an additional listing on the London Stock Exchange. “Consistent with our commitment to deliver a responsible demerger, Anglo American intends...

UQ start-up unlocks copper Inaccessible supplies of an element crucial to powering a clean-energy future are set to be unlocked with technology developed by The University of Queensland (UQ). The technology, commercialised through new start-up company Banksia Minerals Processing (BMP), is a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to extract copper from previously unviable low-quality resources. UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering metallurgy major lead and Hydrometallurgy Research Group head, Associate Professor James Vaughan says the technology reveals cleaner more efficient methods for processing copper concentrate....

Critical minerals in Tasmania’s crosshairs The Tasmanian Government has opened a new round of Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI). Tasmanian Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz says the state has what the world wants. “Critical minerals are a sought-after commodity as governments, businesses and organisations across the globe look to a more sustainable future,” he said. “There is a global shift to find these minerals and Tasmania can continue to further cement itself as a leader in this space. “This funding will allow mineral explorers to test greenfield locations...

Half-year results glitter for Westgold Westgold (ASX: WGX) is positioning itself as an Australian gold titan, with promising half-year results including gold production of 158,255oz with all-in sustaining costs of $2,562poz. These results follow the company’s merger with Karora and subsequent inclusion in the ASX200 and dual listing on the ASX and TSX. Westgold says its 29.4% increase in gold production from H1FY24 was a result of the Karora acquisition. Combined with higher achieved gold prices, this increased production contributed to a record half year revenue of $624m. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell says the post-merger results solidify the company’s...

South32’s Worsley receives key approval Worsley Alumina in WA has received federal environmental approval for the Worsley Mine Development Project under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). This follows South32’s (ASX: S32) appeal of the WA EPA’s recommendations for the Worsley mine expansion in July 2024. The federal approval is subject to conditions which are substantively consistent with the state environmental approval received on December 20, 2024. The development project will enable access to bauxite to sustain production at Worsley Alumina, with mining of bauxite areas located near existing operations expected to...

Upcycle helps drive sustainability at Onslow Iron Indigenous-led business Upcycle Tyre Services (Upcycle) has been awarded a $5m contract to recycle haulage tyres from Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) (MinRes) Onslow Iron project in WA, turning them into materials used to build infrastructure and playgrounds. A joint venture between King Kira Group (KKG) and Carroll Engineering Services, Upcycle is spearheaded by KKG founder and managing director and Nyiyaparli/Paylku woman Tammy O'Connor. Ms O’Connor says Upcycle aims to limit landfill waste and create solutions that benefit mining companies, communities and the environment. “I’ve spent 10 years understanding waste — what’s being buried onsite and what...