Author: Samantha Bawden

Can the mining industry meet rising copper demand?  Low levels of investment in forward-looking copper projects could drive major shortages and pricing volatility in the face of unprecedented demand, according to Wood Mackenzie.  Global copper demand is expected to rise by 8.2mtpa to 42.7mtpa by 2035, a 24% surge, according to a new Horizons report from Wood Mackenzie, High-wire act: is soaring copper demand an obstacle to future growth?  Growth will be driven by traditional economic development alongside new structural demand from electrification and digitalisation. While this growth trajectory seems certain, Wood Mackenzie warns that four powerful disruptors could amplify...

Queensland coroner to examine resources sector deaths The Queensland Government has reinstated a coroners role for the mining and resources sector to enhance worker safety with a justice service to cater to mandatory coronial inquests. The mining and resources coroner will conduct mandatory coronial inquests into fatalities that occur at any Queensland mine, quarry, petroleum and gas site, and to provide answers sooner to victims’ families. The coroner will also make recommendations to enhance worker safety and undertake other coronial duties, when not investigating mining-related matters, help to ease pressure...

Queenslanders back the mining sector A recent independent survey of Queenslanders has shown the extent of support for the resources sector in securing the long-term future of the state and protecting people’s way of life. It also revealed that more than four in five Queenslanders believe there is an important long-term role for the mining and resources sector and 75% agree that mining is very important to maintaining their way of life. The research is regularly undertaken by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) to evaluate the sentiment of Queenslanders and their thoughts or opinions about mining. The latest...

Sandvik accelerates mining’s digital future Sandvik has launched DataDrive’31, a major new technology program aimed at advancing digitalisation through data-driven innovation across the mining industry. DataDrive’31 focuses on developing new data-driven technologies and solutions that enhance productivity and safety and sustainability across the entire mining value chain. The program aims to enable new services and products through data utilisation and commercialisation, integrate data-driven technologies into equipment, operations and aftermarket services to deliver end-to-end digital solutions and build predictive and prescriptive operating environments to support smarter, safer and more sustainable mining. The six-year program has a total budget of $144m...

UNSW exploring green metals manufacturing methods The University of NSW SCoPE Lab for Green Metals is leading research to develop scalable low-cost and low-emission ironmaking technologies with a blast furnace innovations project. The manufacturing of iron and steel, materials essential to build almost all infrastructure in modern society, accounts for about one-tenth of global carbon dioxide emissions — more than any other industrial sector. As global populations grow and urbanisation accelerates, the demand for steel and iron shows no sign of slowing, making the need for greener production of these metals crucial. Project lead Professor Yansong Shen...

Tivan gets go ahead at Sandover Tivan (ASX: TVN) has secured regulatory approval from the Northern Territory Lands, Planning and Environment Department to commence its maiden drilling campaign at the Sandover fluorite project. The program will test high-grade fluorite veins identified through two recently completed surface sampling and mapping programs, which returned assays measuring up to 94% calcium fluorite and identified multiple priority vein targets for drilling. The approval follows the signing of a mineral exploration deed for the project, located 230km north-east of Alice Springs, with the Central Land Council, providing the...

The Jameson Cell’s ongoing impact on flotation advancement Glencore’s Jameson Cell, one of the most effective, flexible and high performing flotation technologies in the world, remains at the forefront of froth flotation innovation. The Jameson Cell was developed in 1985 when Mount Isa Mines asked Professor Graeme Jameson to improve flotation performance in their zinc circuit. His breakthrough — the downcomer — showed that effective particle recovery occurred in an intense mixing zone, leading to the creation of a compact, high-efficiency flotation cell. Over the next 40 years, the Jameson Cell underwent continuous...

WA to cut green tape with environmental law overhaul The Federal and WA Government are negotiating a new bilateral agreement to eliminate duplication in environmental approvals that, if adopted nation-wide, could save Australia $7b according to Federal Government figures. This week, Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt met with WA Premier Roger Cook to discuss reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. These changes will streamline processes by negating the need for Federal assessment of projects already under review by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Minister Watt says he is confident that the governments can both deliver...

Australian miner boards US critical minerals bandwagon Pinnacle Minerals (ASX: PIM) is expanding its global footprint in the technology and defence sectors with the acquisition of eight critical minerals projects in the US. This acquisition marks the company’s entry into the US critical mineral landscape with the aims of positioning the company to benefit from emerging government policy in both the US and Australia. It follows recent developments in international critical minerals policy, including China’s further tightening of export controls on critical minerals on October 9 and the Federal Government’s advancement...

Fortescue axes hundreds of green jobs in UK and Australia Fortescue (ASX: FMG) is dropping plans to manufacture electric motors in-house and moving work offshore to China in a shift that will cost hundreds of workers in the UK and WA their jobs. The UK-based Fortescue Zero division was set to manufacture powertrains for about 400 electric mining trucks for the company’s extensive iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of WA. The company will instead be making the majority of components for the vehicles offshore in China where costs are lower...

Rio boosts Pilbara shipments, loads first ore at Simandou Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has recorded strong results for Q3 CY25, backed by rebounding iron ore prices and advancing operations at the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea. The company shipped 84.3mt of iron ore from its WA operations during Q3 CY25, narrowly missing the estimated guidance of 85.5mt. Rio’s $6.2b Simandou project reached a major milestone with the loading of first ore on the newly commissioned mine-to-rail-to-port system. First shipments are expected in November, with a ramp-up to the site's full capacity of 60mtpa expected over the next 30 months. Rio Tinto chief executive Simon...