Author: Chloe Coutinho

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 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...

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

Rio’s culture of ‘everyday respect’

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...

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

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...

(Image source: Zenith Energy)

Big caps zip to net zero with Zenith

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,...

(Image source: Greatland Gold)

Greatland all-in on Australian 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...

(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

$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...

EQ Resources is a global tungsten producer with mining activities in Australia and Spain.

EQR acquisition: major milestone for western critical minerals

EQR acquisition: major milestone for western critical minerals VIETNAM — EQ Resources (EQR) (ASX: EQR) is set to acquire the Tungsten Metals Group (TMG), including Asia Tungsten Products, giving EQR 100% ownership of the largest ferrotungsten plant outside China. The facility is in V?nh B?o, Haiphong Province, Vietnam, and was built in 2011. In recent years the facility has mainly operated as a toll treatment facility for third-party customers, converting primary and secondary tungsten raw materials into high-quality ferrotungsten. The facility boasts a potential production capacity of 4,000tpa. Due to its scale and favourable cost structure, it is regarded as one of...

Polar star access is also being accelerated.

‘Unleash the drills’: Westgold delivers a boost for Bluebird

‘Unleash the drills’: Westgold delivers a boost for Bluebird Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) has increased its mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Bluebird – South Junction mining complex in WA by 37%. The MRE now stands at 15mt at 2.9g/t of gold for 1.4moz, with a 65% increase in measured and indicated resources now 8.7mt at 2.9g/t of gold for 814koz. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell comments on the update. “With 1.4Moz in resource and growing Bluebird-South Junction has now confirmed its status as the key growth driver in Westgold’s Murchison business,” he said. “In under 18 months, the team has moved a simple uphole bench...

A class action lawsuit — concerning the Panguna Mine operated by Rio Tinto’s former subsidiary Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) — was filed in July 2024 by Martin Ronald Miriori in Papua New Guinea's National Court of Justice, naming both Rio Tinto and BCL as defendants.

Rio Tinto, Panguna parties sign MoU to address mine impacts

Rio Tinto, Panguna parties sign MoU to address mine impacts PAPUA NEW GUINEA — Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Bougainville Copper and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a Roundtable to address the findings of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA). The independent PMLIA is based on two years of data collection overseen by an oversight committee that includes representatives from local communities,...

(Image source: Weir) WARMAN® MCR® 760 installed at a copper mine in Chile.

Weir wins order to supply North America’s largest mill pump

Weir wins order to supply North America’s largest mill pump The Weir Group, a global mining technology leader, has been awarded contracts to supply its market-leading WARMAN® slurry pumps and CAVEX® hydrocyclones to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) Mine Life Extension (MLE) project in Canada. Teck’s Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project aims to extend the mine’s operational life by enhancing existing site infrastructure, addressing the growing demand for copper driven by the transition to a low-carbon future. The project is expected to yield approximately 1.95mt of additional copper over its lifespan. A cornerstone of this project is the WARMAN® MCR® 760...

The Mount Monger operations comprise the Daisy, Mount Belches and Aldiss mining centres and the Randalls processing facility.

Macmahon secures $90m extension

Macmahon secures $90m extension Macmahon Holdings (ASX: MAH) has been awarded a two-year contract extension by Vault Minerals (ASX: VAU) at the Daisy Milano gold mine within its Mount Monger, WA, operation. Macmahon has been providing underground mining services at Daisy Milano since acquiring the contract earlier this year, including mine development, production charging and load and haul services. The two-year contract extension to October 2026 is expected to add approximately $90m of revenue towards Macmahon’s secured orderbook and will utilise existing fleet as required for the project. Macmahon chief executive and managing director Michael Finnegan comments on...