Author: Chloe Coutinho

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...