Author: Chloe Coutinho

The Townsville-headquartered Bravus has been associated with the Cowboys since 2019, becoming a Platinum Partner of the NRL squad and presenting partner of the Club’s Adopt-A-School program in 2021.

Bravus playing a whole new ball game

Bravus Mining and Resources has doubled down on its support of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, expanding its partnership to include the club’s women’s squad. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says signing on as a Major Partner of the NRLW Cowboys is a natural next step in the organisations’ successful history of working together for the social and economic benefit of regional Queensland. “Our Carmichael mine near Clermont and our offices in Townsville and Rockhampton are all in the heart of Cowboys territory and our team members are some of the club’s biggest fans,” he said. “We were lucky enough to have Tom Dearden and Kaiden Lahrs out at the mine in February to launch our…

(Image source: Vulcan Energy Resources) Vulcan’s downstream CLEOP facility is located just outside of Frankfurt, in the Höchst Chemical Park, where Vulcan will also construct its commercial central lithium plant.

Vulcan makes progress on lithium hydroxide plant in Germany

Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL) has started commissioning at its 100%-owned lithium hydroxide optimisation plant. Once operating, the central lithium electrolysis optimisation plant (CLEOP) will convert lithium chloride from the Vulcan’s upstream lithium extraction optimisation plant (LEOP) to battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM). This will represent the first fully domestically produced LHM, from raw materials to final product, in Europe. Vulcan managing director and chief executive Chris Moreno comments on the progress. “The start of commissioning of Vulcan’s downstream lithium optimisation facility is a significant milestone for Europe’s critical raw material independence, and for its electric vehicle supply chain independence,” he said. “In the coming months, Vulcan will begin to transport the first lithium chloride parcels from our upstream…

The Hemlo gold mine is located 350km east of Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada.

Barminco books $200m contract extension at Hemlo

Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining business, Barminco has signed a three-year extension with Barrick Gold Corporation to continue contract mining at the Hemlo gold mine in Canada. Hemlo, which has been in production since 1989, was transitioned to a contract mining model in 2019, with Barminco as the main underground contractor since. The new contract is initially for 36 months, but also includes two 12- month options to extend. If these options are exercised, Barminco will be operating at Hemlo until 2029. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says this is another great example of how the contract mining team extends contracts over the life of a mine operation. “The long-term nature of these relationships is built on…

(Image source: Gold Fields) Members of Ngadju and Gold Fields at Lake Cowan after the historic signing.

Gold Fields-Ngadju People native title agreement for St Ives mine

Gold Fields and the Ngadju Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (NNTAC) RNTBC have signed a Native Title Agreement for the St Ives gold mine in WA. The Ngadju People are the determined Native Title holders of the area surrounding Norseman, spanning 102,000km2, which includes Gold Fields’ St Ives gold mine located in Kambalda. This landmark agreement delivers compensation payments to the Ngadju People, including a substantial initial payment in recognition of the historical mining activities that have occurred on Ngadju lands. NNTAC chair Thelma Dimer says this agreement represents a significant achievement for the Ngadju Community. “Following two years of dedicated negotiations, it embodies our commitment to advancing a future that both respects our cultural heritage and delivers real benefits to…

Glencore says shareholder preferences have evolved and that many shareholders are no longer supportive of a demerger largely due to evolving views on ESG.

Glencore shifts on coal with shareholder support

Glencore will retain its coal and carbon steel materials business after receiving backing from shareholders, citing opportunities to fund its transitioning metals portfolio. With its acquisition of a 77% interest in Canadian coal miner Elk Valley Resources in July, Glencore intended to demerge the combined business within 24 months from close. Following the acquisition, Glencore consulted shareholders to assess views regarding retaining or demerging the business, with over 95% of consulted Glencore shareholders supporting retention. Glencore says shareholders do not see a demerger as ESG positive given the wide support for its latest Climate Action Transition Plan (CATP) and the important role that steelmaking coal plays in supporting infrastructure needed for the energy transition. Glencore chairman Kalidas Madhavpeddi says retention…

The Federal and WA Government investments in major projects across Pilbara Ports are driving demand for regional jobs, with 74% of Pilbara Ports contract spend remaining within WA and almost 45% invested in Pilbara-based businesses.

Fifth year of record-breaking exports in the Pilbara

The Pilbara region in WA saw a record 758.3mt of exports valued at about $173.2b pass through its ports in FY24. Iron ore was a major factor in this result, with Pilbara Ports handling about 80% of the national iron ore trade and 43% of the global iron ore trade. The record-breaking exports were achieved alongside more than 7,700 safe vessel visits, equating to an average of 21 vessel visits each day across four operational ports. With a total throughput of 573.6mt, the Port of Port Hedland was a leader amongst ports. WA Ports Minister David Michael says these results exemplify the Pilbara’s role as the economic powerhouse of the nation. “The Government continues to invest in infrastructure projects…

The ASI says the extent of the price undercutting being reported is indicative of subsidies and dumping from the country of origin being major contributors to the problem.

Government urged to step in for Australian steel

The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is enlisting support from Federal and state governments for local steel fabricators and manufacturers, after research revealed the local industry is being undercut by an excess of cheap imports. Australia has experienced weaker industrial output of steel since the start of 2023 as world steel demand continues to be affected by the elevated interest rate environment in most advanced economies, according to the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ June Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ). The REQ reports that world steel demand has fallen for the past two years, driven by lower demand from manufacturing and construction in developed economies and ongoing weakness in China’s property sector. According to the REQ, an expected steadying…

Norseman gold gearing up for growth

Norseman gold gearing up for growth

Pantoro (ASX: PNR) has announced an 85,000m growth drilling program for FY25 at the Norseman goldfield in WA, in what promises to be an impactful year for the miner. The $25m program aims to develop four key areas to establish a third underground mine or substantially increase the size of the Scotia and OK mines during FY26. The growth program includes combined diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling over its existing mines, Southern mainfield, Central mainfield and Polar Bear Peninsula. Additionally, Pantoro will conduct detailed magnetic surveys in Lake Cowan to identify future exploration targets. The Australian Mining Review speaks with Pantoro managing director Paul Cmrlec about the 2025 growth program. “This is a very exciting period in the development…

(Image source: Element25) The Element25 Butcherbird project in WA.

Element 25 expansion essential for energy transition

Element 25 (ASX: E25) is expanding its Butcherbird processing facility in WA to 1.1mtpa of manganese oxide concentrate. This follows the release of its January 2024 feasibility study (FS) which demonstrated potential for robust economic returns and rapid capital payback. Element 25 has commenced detailed design, planning and procurement for the Stage 2 expansion project. Expansion of the Butcherbird processing facility is an important step in providing feedstock for the planned battery-grade high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) project to be built in Louisiana, USA. The refinery will be the first ever north American HPMSM facility in partnership with General Motors and Stellantis, two leading global manufacturers of future-facing electric vehicles (EVs). The Australian Mining Review speaks with Element 25…

The new Westgold is dual-listed on the ASX and TSX.

Westgold lands on the TSX

Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) has commenced trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange following its merger with Karora Resources. Westgold acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Karora, with Karora shares being delisted from the TSX on August 2. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell says the merger with Karora creates an ASX and TSX listed, mid-tier gold producer with international appeal. “Westgold is unhedged, well-funded and focused on delivering shareholder returns,” he said. “The TSX: WGX listing provides increased liquidity and brings a +400,000oz producer to a broader investor base. “The listing also sees potential demand from index funds tracking the GDX and GDXJ. “Westgold is now positioned as a leading intermediate gold producer in Canada…

(Image courtesy of OCI) The project, located in Beaumont, Texas, will be the world’s first ammonia plant paired with auto thermal reforming with 95%+ carbon dioxide capture.

Woodside to acquire $3.61b lower carbon ammonia project

Woodside (ASX: WDS) will acquire 100% of OCI Clean Ammonia Holding B.V. and its lower carbon ammonia project for an all-cash consideration of about $3.61b (USD$2.35b). With an advantageous location on the US Gulf Coast, the project will have access to multiple sources of feedstock and a deepwater port for international export. The project is under construction and targets production of first ammonia from 2025 and lower carbon ammonia from 2026. Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill says the acquisition supports Woodside’s strategy to thrive through the energy transition. “This transaction positions Woodside in the growing lower carbon ammonia market,” she said. “The potential applications for lower carbon ammonia are in power generation, marine fuels and as an industrial feedstock, as…