Author: Kathleen Southway

Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has signed off the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for both projects. There have been major milestones for VHM’s Goschen rare earth and mineral sands project (ASX: VHM) and WIM Resources’ Avonbank mineral sands project with the Victorian Government giving the green light, subject to conditions. Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has signed off the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for both projects, with further approval still required for a mining licence and a mine work plan which will involve consultation with the community. The projects also require Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 approval from the Federal Government. “It’s crucial that we balance development with the environment and these approvals put in place safeguards to…

Four new Cat R2900 XE Diesel-Electric Underground Loaders have joined Alkane Resources’ (ASX: ALK) fleet. The miner started digging for gold in the heart of NSW in 2014 and is now producing more than 57,000ozpa of the precious metal at its Tomingley Gold Operations. When the underground fleet including four Cat R2900G underground loaders were ready to be replaced, Alkane Resources had a choice – rebuild the existing machines or replace them with new technology. Alkane Resources general manager of operations Jason Hughes turned to WesTrac to identify the best underground loader to suit their operations. The team was recommended the Cat R2900 XE Diesel-Electric Underground Loader – a hard-working machine capable of enhancing productivity by 20%, improved breakout force…

A small-scale fluidised bed flotation device with the potential to predict industrial-scale performance is entering the final stages of testing with the delivery of 7 prototypes to industry. Developed by researchers at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), the JKHFmini builds on coarse particle flotation technology where a fluidised bed is used to recover coarse particles during flotation. Coarse particle flotation, with fluidised bed flotation technology, has the potential to significantly reduce the immense energy requirements associated with comminution and grinding, which currently make up 1% of global emissions, and also support a reduction in mine waste. SMI’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) lead researcher Lizette Verster says coarse particle flotation reduces energy use because these coarser…

BHP president of Australia Geraldine Slattery has addressed the Melbourne Mining Club for the first time, calling on governments and industry to embrace a more competitive mindset in the face of one of greatest industrial shifts in history – the energy transition. Offering what she calls “a blunt assessment”, Ms Slattery says the nation’s access to skills and talent is under threat, investments in technology and innovation trail some of biggest global competitors and that Australia is not keeping pace as an attractive place to invest. “Nearly 50% of the skilled engineering workforce globally will retire in the next decade,” Ms Slattery said. “And we know that we do not have enough graduates in mining related fields to replace them.…

CPC Engineering will enter 2025 with two new contracts in the surging gold sector totalling $24m, after sealing deals with AngloGold Ashanti and Capricorn Metals (ASX: CMM). The contracts continue CPC’s momentum, coming after a $2.87m Federal Government grant to work with Edith Cowan University on a potentially transformational process to produce low-cost, low-carbon, high purity alumina, and a separate contract with AngloGold Ashanti for a gold recovery project. In the latest deals, AngloGold Ashanti Australia has appointed CPC on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to provide engineering and design services for a new pre-oxidation and leaching circuit of flotation concentrate, to improve gold recovery at the Sunrise Dam gold mine in WA. CPC had previously completed the…

Coal from Bravus Mining and Resources’ Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland is making its way to port on a rail line where cutting edge freight technologies are rivalled by the sophistication of fauna-friendly crossings. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the 200km Carmichael Rail Network includes hundreds of design features to support local biodiversity on a line also setting new standards for freight transport. “The design means not only does our coal get to port using safe and efficient rail operations, but it also allows local fauna to thrive,” he said. “Coal is hauled by Bowen Rail Company trains on the Carmichael Rail Network through an area of central Queensland that is home to…

Hundreds of Moranbah school kids put their Phins up as the Dolphins brought their wellbeing team to Central Queensland schools. From touch footy drills to classroom sessions aimed at boosting self-esteem, Dolphins wellbeing and education team members visited three schools as part of Anglo American’s partnership with the NRL team. The partnership focuses on improving education and sporting outcomes in Central Queensland, and the sessions at Moranbah State School, Moranbah State High School and Moranbah East State School provided kids the chance to learn new skills and build teamwork opportunities. Dolphins game development manager Shane Morris says the regional trip is an important part of how the club operated throughout Queensland. “Central Queensland is so important to the Dolphins because a lot…

Rio Tinto’s second Beyond Rare™ Tender: The Art Series 02 has delivered a strong result with successful bidders from all ends of the earth. Titled Colour Awakened, the collection comprises 76 diamonds in 48 lots, including legacy inventory of pink, red and violet diamonds from the Argyle diamond mine, together with white and yellow diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada. For the first time, the collection also featured seven Old Masters, notable historic diamonds from the Argyle mine. Continuing the success of the inaugural event in 2023, bidding for the carefully curated collection resulted in a broad geographic spread of 12 successful bidders from Australia, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Singapore…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) have reached an agreement on the Winu copper-gold project in the Great Sandy Desert region of WA, with the Japanese giant paying $618m (US$399m) for a 30% share of the project. The Winu project is a long-life copper-gold deposit discovered by Rio Tinto in 2017, close to the miner’s Pilbara iron ore operations. The global miner will continue to develop and operate the project as a managing partner, with both companies intending to work together more on exploring other commercial, technical and strategic opportunities across copper, other base metals and lithium. Rio Tinto Copper chief executive Katie Jackson comments on this. “We share a long history with Sumitomo Metal Mining as…

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has been awarded $10m from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop a 6MW fast charger test unit to support the global miner’s innovative fast charger technology. The mining company’s $35.3m ‘Fast Charger for Heavy Battery Electric Vehicles’ project will develop these fast chargers, capable of charging 240t battery electric trucks in less than 30 minutes. The project involves building, testing and validating multiple test unit chargers with the aim to deploy the first production charger by the end of 2025. Developed by Fortescue Zero, the 6MW fast charger will be compatible with a wide range of battery electric heavy mining equipment and designed to meet all operational requirements. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto comments…

Collie locals in southwest WA are warming up their voice boxes ready for the annual Carols in the Park festive extravaganza, with Premier Coal (ASX: YAL) proud to be the major sponsor of the event after a donation of $4,200 towards the free community event. Over 1,000 locals are expected to join in on December 8 from 4pm, when the Combined Churches of Collie will host the family-friendly event at the Bendigo Bank Music Shell in Central Park. All the funds raised from the BBQ will be donated to YouthCare who employ the local schools’ chaplains. The YouthCare chaplains are vital in our community as they provide emotional and mental support to students, staff and parents at the local primary…