Author: Samantha Bawden

Lithium heavyweights seek price stability Two of Australia’s biggest lithium producers, Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) and Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS), have reported positive FY25 results despite volatile lithium prices. EV sales growing by 26% and BESS sales growing 51% in CY24 compared to CY23, according to PLS. Despite this, the lithium market has seen a significant price drop as the industry faces challenges from oversupply. In presentations given at the Diggers & Dealers Forum earlier this week, representatives from both companies expressed their concern regarding price volatility and oversupply. PLS chief executive Dale Henderson says the lithium market is volatile, fast moving and...

Rio leading tailings transparency Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released detailed information on its global tailings facilities in alignment with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). The disclosure includes updated information on 14 of the company’s tailings facilities rated very high or extreme consequence under GISTM classification, based on the highest potential consequences in the extremely unlikely event of a failure — previously disclosed in 2023 — as well as new information on a further 84 facilities rated low, high or...

Alcoa to boost Australia’s gallium supply Alcoa (ASX: AAI) has confirmed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) to explore the feasibility of a gallium project in WA. The project will be co-located at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries. Subject to further commercial agreements and regulatory approvals, Alcoa and JAGA are targeting a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2025 with production targeted for 2026. Gallium is recognised as a critical mineral by Australia and the US. Japan has also identified the mineral as one of the 35 minerals important...

$135m for Nyrstar critical metals Nyrstar has secured transitionary funding from the Federal, South Australia and Tasmania Governments for its critical metals processing operations in both states. The funding will enable the company to maintain its ongoing operations while progressing engineering planning to allow assessments of a significant rebuild of its Australian smelters and fast track feasibility studies into critical metals production. The company’s focus will initially be directed towards accelerating an antimony pilot plant in Port Pirie, South Australia before shifting to critical metals studies to...

From cancer treatment to minerals recovery Australian researchers have applied cancer therapeutic techniques to recovery of critical and rare earth minerals with a new peptide-targeting mineral recovery method. The researchers, based at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (COEMinerals), achieved more than 98% silver purity and more than 95% recovery using the innovative recovery method. Led by the University of Adelaide’s Chemical Engineering School researcher Professor Chun-Xia Zhao, the centre has applied learnings from multiple scientific disciplines to mimic how a cancer-targeting drug finds...

WA to cut mining license rates The WA Government has passed laws to revise the tax status of miscellaneous licenses to ensure they do not attract local government rates. While land held under miscellaneous licences has long been understood to not be rateable under the Local Government Act 1995, the Supreme Court of WA has recently ruled local governments can levy rates on land held under these licences. This ruling has the potential to incur millions of dollars in additional costs for mining and exploration companies throughout the state. As a result, the WA Government is moving to...

BlueScope leading Whyalla steelworks consortium BlueScope (ASX: BSL) will lead an international consortium with global steelmakers to participate in the sale process of Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia. Under a collaboration agreement, BlueScope will work with Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation, India’s JSW Steel and South Korea’s POSCO. Collectively the companies boast a steelmaking capacity of more than 130mt and have a $115b value in market capitalisation. BlueScope will leverage its extensive knowledge of the Australian steel industry as the consortium reviews potential options, opportunities and capital requirements. The consortium has identified Whyalla as a prospective location for future production of green iron in Australia,...

UNSW wins funding for next-gen mining methods The University of NSW (UNSW) Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering School has received $5m in funding, from the Federal Government, to establish its ARC Research Hub. The funding will aid in the development of the hub for next generation mining methods (NextGenMIN), which will focus on delivering innovative and sustainable approaches to extracting critical and strategic minerals. The Federal Government, as part of the industrial transformation research hubs scheme, announced funding for 13 new research hubs and training centres this...

Liebherr delivers complete trolley solution Liebherr Mining has commissioned a full trolley solution at Collahuasi copper mine in northern Chile. The entire solution, from infrastructure to the four T 284 trucks retrofitted with pantograph connections, was supplied by Liebherr and marks the first fully operational trolley line in Chile. Four Liebherr T 284 360-tonne mining trucks are now operating under the project’s one-kilometre trolley line. The Collahuasi site posed unique challenges when it came to designing the trolley line as it is situated at 4,500m above sea level, where it is subject to...

Image celebrates Atlas’s successful debut Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has reported a successful Q4 FY25 for its flagship Atlas mineral sands project in WA. During Q4, the project generated positive cashflow of $5m and produced 45,900dmt of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) from 674,000t of ore processed with shipments totalling 35,359dmt — exceeding forecasts of 30,000-35,000dmt. The company recorded revenue of $22.2m, averaging $624/t, with operating costs totalling $17.1m, averaging $396/t. Image Resources chief executive Patrick Mutz says achieving positive operating cash flow in Atlas’ first quarter of operations gives the team renewed confidence...

Bowen Coking Coal enters administration Bowen Coking Coal (ASX: BCB) has announced it is closing its Burton mine complex and entering voluntary administration following unsuccessful capital raise attempts. The decision was made following the rejection of the company’s most recent submission to the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) for the short-term deferral of royalties and the inability to secure fresh capital or negotiate alternative commercial arrangements with creditors. Bowen’s move reflects the challenging environment the Queensland coal industry is facing with higher costs, lower global coal prices and increased royalty rates introduced in 2022. The company’s...