Author: Chloe Coutinho

Newmont rolls out 5G underground solutions at Cadia, expands global community outreach Following trial results at one of the largest underground gold and copper mines in the world, Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) will be expanding the use of next generation 5G wireless networks to improve safety in underground mining. In February last year, Newmont announced a trial of 5G in partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple at its Cadia mine in NSW. Before the trial, Cadia was limited to upload speeds of 20-30mbps using...

Image receives final approval for Atlas mineral sands project Image Resources (Image) (ASX: IMA) has received final approval for commencement of construction at its 100%-owned Atlas mineral sands project in WA. Image received approval of the project from the Federal Government, as well as EPA approval for the Offset Environmental Management Plan and the Banksia Woodland Rehabilitation Environmental Management Plan. Approval is anticipated in the coming weeks for the groundwater operating strategy (GOS). Approval of the GOS does not prevent commencement of on-ground construction of the processing plant and related infrastructure. Image managing director and...

Federal Court to hear ERA’s case for Jabiluka uranium mine The Federal Court of Australia will stay the decision to refuse renewal of the Jabiluka mineral lease, following legal proceeding launched by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) (ASX: ERA) over the decision not to renew its lease for the uranium mine. This follows action to establish a Reserved Land area, which will prevent future mineral titles over Jabiluka. The Reserved Land area will come into effect when ERA’s current lease expires on August 11. Jabiluka sits alongside the Ranger uranium mine, which ceased mining in 2021, marking the end...

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. (Image source: Vulcan Energy Resources) Start of production of first lithium hydroxide...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...