Author: James Brand

BHP’s Jimblebar expansion closes in on environmental approval  The WA Environmental Protection Agency (WA EPA) has given its endorsement and recommendations for BHP’s (ASX: BHP) proposed Jimblebar Hub expansion.  The Jimblebar Hub combined proposal covers plans to develop mining deposits both above and below the water table surrounding the Pilbara mine.   To facilitate this, BHP plans to build new overburden storage areas, a new beneficiation plant, an overland conveyor, roads and pipelines.  EPA chair Darren Walsh says the independent authority’s report included recommended conditions to mitigate impacts to conservation-significant flora and fauna and to ensure the protection...

Neoen and Tesla select UGL to build six-hour Muchea battery UGL, a member of the CIMIC Group, has been selected to construct a 164MW / 905MWh Muchea Battery north-east of Perth in WA for Neoen in partnership with Tesla. Muchea Battery is Neoen’s first six-hour long-duration storage asset and will be equipped to support the WA’s energy reliability and transition to renewables. UGL has been contracted to help prepare the site for the installation and connection of 252 Tesla Megapack 2XL units and to design and construct a 132kV substation, including the installation of...

Metso lands repeat orders in concentrate and tailings filtration  Metso has reported repeat orders for its concentrate and tailings filtration technology totalling over $17m (EUR$10m) for Q3 CY25. Most of the orders the Finnish machining giant received were for filter modernisations and upgrades, as well as full-scope replacements of HRT thickeners, including the new ReactorwellTM and Thickener Vane FeedwellTM systems, which are part of the company’s Metso Plus portfolio. Metso vice president, beneficiation and dewatering services, product commercial support Felipe Bañados says proactive maintenance is shaping customer decisions, with reliability fuelling interest in concentrate filtration solutions. “In thickeners, growth is...

Engineers achieve record-breaking battery performance Engineers at Monash University have developed a new catalyst that could drive zinc-air batteries from hearing aids and watches to EVs and large-scale industrial applications. While zinc-air batteries are currently used in small devices, this opens the door to rechargeable, high-power applications, moving the technology closer to real-world, grid-scale and transport uses. Using microscopic heat treatment, the researchers have developed carbon sheets from 3D materials, adding a framework of individual cobalt and iron atoms to greatly increase reactivity and efficiency within the battery. Saeed Askari and Dr Parama Banerjee, lead authors from Monash...

Tivan acquires NT critical minerals project Tivan (ASX: TVN) has fully acquired the Molyill project, a tungsten and molybdenum deposit North-East of Alice Springs. Thor Energy (ASX: THR) and joint Molyhill owner Investigator Resources (ASX: IVR) will receive $8.75m over three years from Tivan for 100% ownership over the project. Molyhill is situated next to Tivan’s Sandover fluorite project, also purchased from Thor Energy in November 2024. Molyhill boasts a JORC Code mineral resource estimate of 4.6mt with 12,100t (.26%) of tungsten trioxide, 4400t (.09%) of molybdenum, as well as 2050t (.04%) of copper. The project was exploited in a...

Mental health matters at Mineral Resources In 2024, Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) became the first resources company in WA to deploy a team of in-house mental health clinicians to its mine sites across the state. Known as Mind Matters, the team includes seven highly qualified clinicians who work on a rotating 4:3 roster on site and in Perth, alongside two Perth-based clinicians. This ensures support is accessible to employees in remote locations as well as those based in the city. The investment encourages open, honest conversations about mental health and enables employees to access professional support at the earliest opportunity. Importantly, the service is provided free of charge for employees and their immediate family members. Now in its second year, Mind...

Fuel tax rebates exceed cost of transition to renewables More than $57b in fuel tax rebates have been banked by Australia’s mining companies since FY07 and according to a new analysis, this will exceed $84b by 2030. According to the Climate Energy Finance (CEF) analysis, the Fuel Tax Credit (FTC) has cost taxpayers $122.7b in total, and its primary beneficiaries include mining, agriculture and transport, with mining receiving nearly half of the total sum. BHP (ASX: BHP) was FY24’s largest FTC beneficiary, garnering a $627m rebate. Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) received $416m, and Glencore received $364m. CEF...

Mining scholarships now open The Minerals Research Institute of WA’s (MRIWA) 2026 scholarships are now open to WA students undertaking postgraduate minerals research. These will be awarded to four exceptional WA students to support research endeavours into current gaps or innovations in mining that will directly benefit WA, help students to access and collaborate with the mining industry and continue the development of the minerals research workforce in WA. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the WA Government is committed to supporting the growth and the diversity of the state’s research workforce. “MRIWA scholarships provide a...

Evolution Mining doubles profit Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) has seen record high profit in FY25, driven by increased production alongside favourable commodity prices. The miner has reported a statutory net profit of $926m, up by 119% from FY24. Evolution Mining managing director and chief executive Lawrie Conway says the record financial performance was achieved through safely delivering to plan across all of its operations. “Our cost and production performance in the year saw our balance sheet continue to strengthen, with gearing levels falling while successfully delivering several major capital projects,” he said. “We have also...