Author: Samantha Bawden

EPCA advancing mining electrification Electric Power Conversions Australia (EPCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ABB to deploy full battery electric retrofit solutions for mining trucks. ABB is a Switzerland-based leading global technology company and together the companies will deliver retrofit solutions for conventionally powered trucks for mid-sized haul trucks with capacities of 100-150t. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for EPCA as it scales its retrofit technology beyond demonstration and into broader deployment. It reflects the alignment between EPCA’s hands-on expertise in mining truck electrification and ABB’s...

Ivanhoe delays ASX IPO Ivanhoe Atlantic has pushed back its mid-year initial public offering (IPO) target and is now aiming to launch its IPO in Australia before the end of 2025. Privately-owned US-based Ivanhoe is looking to develop the Kon Kweni high-grade iron-ore deposit in Guinea, West Africa, to provide a supply of high-grade iron ore that can be readily processed in Middle East into low emissions steel that can feed a US supply chain. At the WA Mining Club August luncheon, Ivanhoe...

Australia unlikely to embrace deep-sea mining The US is advancing its deep-sea mining interests, but Federal Resource Minister Madeleine King urged Australia to remain focused on its above ground critical minerals resources. In May US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to open US and international waters to deep-sea mining, which targets polymetallic nodules — a rich source of cobalt, nickel and manganese. To address the critical minerals supply-demand gap mining companies, including Canadian based deep-sea miner The Metals Company, are embracing the alternative source. The Metals Company...

BHP greenlights $1.4b Port Hedland investment BHP (ASX: BHP) is advancing its port debottlenecking project 2 (PDP2) as part of major strategic investment in Port Hedland’s infrastructure to support surrounding operations.   The investment will enhance operational resilience and efficiency with the installation of a sixth car dumper (CD6) as well as additional conveyors and supporting infrastructure to support WA Iron Ore’s (WAIO) production target of 305mtpa.  Port Hedland is one of the largest iron ore loading ports in the world and the largest in Australia, making it critical to mining operations not just in WA but globally. The ports are linked to...

MinRes introduces reusable crib kits Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has eliminated thousands of single-use meal containers from its operations by rolling out more than 5,000 reusable crib kits to its workforce.  In line with the WA Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, the initiative aims to change habits around crib meals — packed meals prepared by FIFO workers before the start of their shift.  By introducing reusable crib kits, MinRes is addressing the problem of disposable containers, which generate significant amount of waste, at its source.    Based on employee feedback, MinRes developed an eight-piece reusable kit designed for both practicality and durability. To ensure effective uptake, supporting infrastructure was installed across sites to enable the hygienic washing...

Colours of our Country celebrates 20 years  The Colours of our Country exhibition, exhibited by Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) to showcases the work of Aboriginal artists from across the Pilbara, returns to Perth on September 15-26.  This year’s exhibition features 124 artworks by 43 artists, with each piece reflecting a deep connection to country, culture and community.   The Perth exhibition comes after Colours of our Country reached new audiences after it travelled to London for the first time in July and was showcased...

Anglo American merges with Teck Resources Anglo American and Teck Resources have entered an agreement to join forces in a proposed merger of equals to form a new company — Anglo-Teck. Anglo Teck is set to become one of the top five copper producers in the world, with combined production from its mines in Chile, Peru and Canada to be about 1.2mt, predicted to reach 1.35mt by 2027. By bringing together the strengths of both companies, Anglo Teck will leverage proven capabilities in technical and operational excellence, sustainability, product marketing and project execution to deliver value-accretive growth....

BHP pays $110m to settle Samarco class action BHP (ASX: BHP) has reached an agreement to settle the Australian Samarco shareholder class action filed to the Federal Court in 2018. The class action was launched on behalf of shareholders who acquired BHP shares prior to the 2015 Fundão tailings dam collapse. The dam collapse at the Samarco iron ore project in Brazil killed 19 people and lead to more than $30b worth of damages. The communities of Bento Rodrigues, Paracatu de Baixo and Gesteira were flooded when mine waste from the dam entered the Doce River. Other communities and...

Contractor fined $540,000 after fatal rock fall An underground mining contractor has been fined for a rock fall incident that resulted in the death of an employee at Hamlet underground gold mine in WA in October 2022. The contractor, RUC Mining Contractors, pled guilty to two counts of the same offence — exposing a worker to a risk of death, injury or harm to health, contrary to sections 19(1) and 32(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 — which resulted in the death of a driller and the injury of a probationary offsider. This offence does not indicate that the breach caused the...

UQ researchers identify methane ‘super-emitter' Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) have found a coal borehole is releasing the same amount of greenhouse gases as 10,000 cars.  The researchers used advanced gas detection technology to determine 235t of methane were released per year from the abandoned borehole at a farm in the Surat Basin revealing a potentially underreported source of methane in the atmosphere.  With an estimated 130,000 similar boreholes across Queensland, where the quality of sealing by coal explorers is unknown, sealing high-emitting sites could offer a cost-effective way to reduce emissions.  [caption...

Wind turbines begin 1,000km journey to St Ives Seven wind turbines destined for Gold Fields’ landmark $296m St Ives renewable energy project have been unloaded at Geraldton Port in WA. The cargo includes 80m long turbine blades — weighing more than 24t each and reaching a combined length of 1.7km if laid out end-to-end — and is now ready for transportation by road to the St Ives gold mine near Kambalda. Gold Fields principal specialist and project director Simon Schmid says arrival of the wind turbine components marked a major milestone for the project...