Author: Samantha Bawden

Boom Logistics chief executive steps down Boom Logistics managing director and chief executive Ben Pieyre has announced he will leave the company at the end of 2025. Mr Pieyre has served in the role since early 2023 after joining the company in 2019 as general manager of WA and South Australia. Mr Pieyre resigned on July 17, citing the chance to pursue opportunities outside of the crane industry. Prior to his tenure at Boom Logistics, Mr Pieyre served as Sterling Crane company president in Canada and held multiple roles with Freo Group. He is also currently board president of the Crane...

George Fisher leads underground automation Glencore’s George Fisher mine in Queensland continues to pioneer the use of underground automation with its growing automated Sandvik fleet. In 2024, Glencore commissioned three automated Toro TH663i trucks at the site following the successful integration of an automated loader fleet in 2020. The automated loaders and trucks now operate around the clock on separate levels of the mine, successfully improving safety and efficiency at the site. Glencore automation specialist Raukawa Danklof says productivity has also seen major benefits. “Our operations were already efficient but following...

CSIRO accelerating Australia’s energy transition CSIRO has launched the National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC) to support Australia’s move to net zero. The new research infrastructure will accelerate and de-risk the complex energy transition as an independent, collaborative research centre delivering data-driven insights. NEAC will combine real-world anonymised data from households and businesses with state-of-the-art energy systems modelling, analysis and visualisation tools. This will equip decision makers with a powerful toolkit to steer the nationwide energy transition with greater clarity and coordination. CSIRO energy director Dr Dietmar Tourbier says the new national...

Rio appoints new chief executive Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has appointed Simon Trott as the company’s chief executive effective from August 25 2025. The appointment follows the resignation of the company’s current chief executive Jakob Stausholm earlier this year. Currently Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive, Mr Trott has a track record of exceptional delivery over 25 years in various roles across a wide range of commodities and geographics. Through his current role with the company, Mr Trott has improved operational performance (underpinned by safety and financial discipline), reset partnerships with key...

PLS launches hybrid truck trial with Switch PLS (ASX: PLS) has partnered with WA-based innovation company Switch to develop and trial a hybrid diesel-electric truck. Over the past year, both companies have worked together to develop a hybrid solution for PLS’ 150t class of haul trucks that meets operational requirements. The resulting custom hybrid haul truck blends the reliability of diesel with the efficiency of electric vehicles. The haul truck is designed to reduce emissions, improve fuel performance and build internal capability at PLS as it continues its broader energy transition. Full battery-electric haul trucks remain a long-term goal across the resources industry. With...

BHP explores battery electrification BHP (ASX: BHP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with battery electrification pioneers FinDreams Battery (FDB) and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). Recognising the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, BHP is working closely with both companies to explore the application of existing and emerging technologies. BHP and FDB will investigate powertrain battery solutions for heavy mining equipment with adjacent flash-charging infrastructure.  The companies will also explore BYD commercial vehicles and light vehicles for use across BHP’s operations....

Atlas’ successful start Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has successfully completed three planned shipments of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) in the June quarter from its WA-based Atlas mineral sands project. The shipments from the project, located 170km north of Perth, totalled 35kt and had a total booked revenue of around $22m. Atlas is now operating at nameplate capacity, a significant milestone for the project. Operations at the project commenced in early April this year with the June quarter marking the first quarter of production at Atlas. This follows rapid and successful project commissioning in February and March this...

Australia’s first underground lithium mine Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has officially opened its Kathleen Valley lithium project 680km north-east of Perth, WA. The project is a globally significant, long-life operation and Australia’s first underground lithium mine that is expected to generate jobs and bolster local development. Liontown has already signed offtake agreements with some of the world’s leading electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturers including Tesla, Ford, LG Energy Solution and Beijing Sinomine. With these contracts, the company has secured demand for the project’s initial production and positioned itself as an emerging force in the global lithium supply chain. Boosted by a $15m interest-free loan from the...

Oresome opportunity for Queensland students Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) has seen twenty Year 10 students from across the state attend its first engineering camp this week. The Oresome Engineering Camp for Year 10 students was jointly facilitated by The University of Queensland (UQ) and the QMEA, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). Running over the school holidays at The University of Queensland (UQ), the three-day camp saw students work with university and industry experts to investigate, create and complete a series of engineering projects. The projects included designing an emergency services vehicle and an autonomous mining truck. [caption...

WA exploration supercharged by next-gen tech The WA Government has unveiled a next-generation spectral scanner to accelerate resource discovery across the state. Developed by CSIRO, the new HyLogger 4 system replaces the ageing HyLogger 3. It captures high-resolution data from drill core samples, allowing users to rapidly analyse geology and improve resource targeting. Since its commissioning in 2009, the HyLogger 3 processed more than 600,000m of drill core from more than 2,000 drill holes across WA. Though the HyLogger 3 offered reliable mineralogical data, the updated HyLogger 4 delivers higher-resolution capture and enhanced analytical capabilities, improving the detection and understanding...

Northern Star delivers golden results Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) has reported total gold sold for the June quarter was 444koz, bringing the total gold sold during FY25 to 1634koz. The majority of the total was supported by Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie production centre, which totalled 832koz of gold sold for FY25 and 118koz for the June quarter. The company’s FY25 total sales are within its revised group guidance range of 1630-1660koz with an all in sustaining cost (AISC) expected to fall between $2100-2200/oz. The Yandall production centre in WA reported production that fell in the mid-point of...