Author: Samantha Bawden

New details of the $1.2b Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve (CMSR) are emerging with the Federal Government confirming on Monday that antimony, gallium and rare earth elements are early priorities.

Mining majors Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Glencore have confirmed they have entered preliminary takeover discussions for a merger that could create the world’s largest resources company.

Major SolGold shareholders — including BHP (ASX: BHP) and Newmont (ASX: NEM) — have vowed to support a takeover from China-based Jiangxi Copper (JCC) for the right price. 

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has entered a binding agreement to acquire the remaining 64% of Canada- based Alta Copper for an implied value of $151m (C$139m).

Last year, former Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek derailed Regis Resources’ (ASX: RRL) $1b McPhillamys gold project in NSW with a controversial Indigenous heritage ruling.Now more than a year later, the Federal Court in Sydney is hearing Regis’ case — with the company pleading that the decision should be deemed invalid due to alleged issues and failures on behalf of Minister Plibersek.

WorkSafe has reported that the 53-year-old worker killed at Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine in Victoria on December 5 was operating a cable bolter about 1.6km underground when he became entangled in the machinery.The death is the 53rd confirmed workplace fatality for 2025 — an increase from the 48 work-related deaths reported at the same time last year.

The Queensland Government has awarded $1.5m to Coreo to progress a study aiming to unlock critical minerals from coal mine tailings.

A contractor working at Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine in Victoria has died following an underground incident on December 5. An investigation is being conducted in cooperation with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident. Agnico Eagle is working with the contractor to ensure support and assistance is provided to the individual’s family during this difficult time.