Author: Chloe Coutinho

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...

Anglo American’s mines of the future Through a decade-long commitment to improving safety and efficiency in underground mining, Anglo American’s steelmaking coal operations in Australia have reached a significant milestone. The company’s 10-year vision for a ‘mine of the future’ became reality when all its underground coal mines in the Bowen Basin began operating simultaneously from Remote Operation Centres (ROCs). The Central Queensland underground operations have also hit another remarkable milestone, notching up 10,000 longwall mining shears from those ROCs. Anglo American Australia automation superintendent Matthew Wakeford says the rapid pace of technological innovation — especially in areas like data analytics, automation and digitalisation — have...

Trump’s tariffs: Australia talks exemption Australian industry and the Federal Government are responding to the US Government's consideration of a uniform 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports. In a call this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald discussed Australia’s bid for an exemption from the sweeping tariffs. Prime Minister Albanese says the US President agreed that an exemption is under consideration in the interest of both countries. “What I’m concerned about is securing an exemption,” Prime Minister Albanese said in a press...

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...