Author: Rueben Hale

BHP has awarded Q H & M Birt a $200m contract for its Ministers North iron ore project, advancing plans to replace declining production at Yandi.

Whitehaven Coal’s proposed Blackwater mine expansion could unlock 200mt of additional coal, but rehabilitation obligations and regulatory conditions remain key hurdles.

Whitehaven has cleared a legal hurdle for Winchester South, with attention turning to outstanding approvals and potential savings from neighbouring Daunia.

Sunrise has approved its Syerston scandium project, but conditions attached to a proposed US$400m US government loan remain a key hurdle.

Rio Tinto has halted underground operations at its Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia after a seismic event injured three workers, interrupting production at one of its biggest copper growth assets.

Cyprium Metals has lined as much as $83m in equity and debt funding to accelerate Nifty’s copper expansion in WA, with first cathode production imminent.

Hancock Iron Ore's annual profit fell 12.5% to $1.79b as weaker iron ore prices and rising rehabilitation costs more than halved Atlas Iron's earnings.

Forrestania Resources has struck a deal to purchase up to 400,000t of gold ore from High-Tech Metals' Mt Fisher project, potentially boosting gold sales without the hefty costs of developing new mines.

Northern Star Resources faces a reported legal dispute after pastoralist David Geraghty alleged wastewater at its Bronzewing gold mine poisoned cattle, reigniting tensions between miners and pastoralists over land access and livestock protection.

The Greens have proposed a $28b mining windfall tax to fund income tax cuts and welfare increases, drawing fierce opposition from Australia's resources sector.

Fortescue deputy chairman Mark Barnaba has secured re-election despite opposition from influential proxy advisers over his 16-year board tenure and $1.197m remuneration package.