Author: Samantha Bawden

Funding secures next generation resource workers The Queensland Government is investing $2m to expand its Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) education arm. The funding will establish a jobs pipeline for resource workers in regional hubs across central and north Queensland by increasing awareness and interest in energy and minerals career pathways. The expansion will take place over three years, with the first regional hub based in Mackay at the Resources Centre of Excellence. Rockhampton will follow in 2026 and Townsville in 2027. Queensland Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates says...

Broken Hill extends major project status Cobalt Blue Holdings (ASX: COB) has been awarded a three-year extension on the major project status for its Broken Hill cobalt project in NSW. Major project status enables additional Federal Government regulatory support for projects of national significance through their contribution to strategic priorities, economic growth, employment and regional Australia. The recognition of the project’s national significance supports the company in advancing investment discussions, particularly pertaining to international investor support, as well as domestic investment. Cobalt Blue chief executive Andrew Tong says major project status acknowledges the strategic significance of the project...

Geoscience igniting modern gold rush Experts from the Geological Survey of WA (GSWA) have led a geoscientific breakthrough that could spark the next wave of major gold discoveries across the state. By analysing thousands of geological samples, GSWA has identified the chemical signature most closely linked to the formation of gold-rich mineral systems — particularly those formed by ancient intrusions of molten rock deep beneath the Earth’s surface. The discovery is a major advancement in mineral exploration on a global scale as many of the world’s largest and most productive gold deposits are found within intrusion-related systems. These...

Sandvik grows Mongolian fleet Sandvik Mining has been contracted to supply 17 loaders and two trucks to Rio Tinto’s (ASX: Rio) Oyu Tolgoi copper-mine in the South Gobi Desert. The underground equipment supply includes eight Toro LH410 loaders, seven Toro LH515i loaders, two Toro LH517i loaders and two Toro TH551i trucks. Deliveries are expected to begin in October 2025 and continue through to late next year. Underground operations at the site, jointly owned by Rio (66%) and the Mongolia Government (34%), began in early 2023 and have continued to ramp...

Rio awards $167m contract to NRW NRW Civil & Mining, a subsidiary of NRW Holdings (ASX: NWH), has been awarded a contract for works at Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Brockman Syncline 1 mine in the Pilbara region of WA. Under the contract NRW will be responsible for the construction of earthworks, roadworks and drainage associated with the primary crusher, overland conveyor and non-process infrastructure at the site located within the Brockman mine hub. NRW will also be responsible for the construction of haul roads, access roads and concrete structures. The scope of the works includes drill...

Scholars drive WA’s minerals innovation The WA Government has announced the cohort for the Minerals Institute of WA (MRIWA) 2025 PhD scholarships and student placement schemes. The schemes strengthen the resources sector by driving innovation in sustainable mineral production and fostering research and industry advancement, reinforcing WA’s position as a global industry leader. The scholarships have been awarded to three students that are tackling critical challenges faced by the minerals industry. Kenneth Akiti has been awarded the prestigious Odwyn Jones PhD Scholarship for his research into responsible management of retired mining vehicle batteries, addressing environmental and economic challenges....

Fortescue empowers future leaders Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has pledged $600,000 over three years to support program development at Hedland Senior High School, located in Port Hedland, WA. The funding will enable Hedland Senior High School to deliver a suite of education and engagement programs aimed at empowering local youth to strengthen regional capability and deepen First Nations engagement. A wide range of initiatives will benefit from the funding, including science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programs for students, improvements to the school’s technology hub and culturally respectful initiatives that celebrate...

Minerals booming in latest Australian resource forecasts The Federal Industry, Science and Resources Department has reported growing resources and energy export volumes in the most recent Australian Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ). Gold is set to become Australia’s third largest resources export earner, as the commodity fetches record prices, behind iron ore and liquid natural gas next year, with earnings forecast to reach $56b, according to the REQ. Exploration expenditure for iron ore — Australia’s largest export earner — continues to rise. Amid continued fallout over global trade tensions and conflicts — the REQ reported —...

MinRes completes sale of Yilgarn Mineral Resources (ASX: MIR) announced yesterday that it has completed the sale of its Yilgarn Hub iron ore assets, located in WA, to Yilgarn Iron Investments (YII). Under the sale terms, YII has acquired all tenements and other land interest across the hub, associated approvals and licenses, entitlements and fixed assets including Koolyanobbing, Windarling, Carina and Parker Range. YII has also assumed all current environmental, closure and rehabilitation liabilities across the Yilgarn Hub. Following a feasibility study on...

Brightstar delivers golden DFS Brightstar (ASX: BTR) has delivered a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Menzies and Laverton gold projects in WA, outlining up to $461m in pre-tax cash flow. The initial production target spans 6.4mt at 1.81g/t of gold for 338,528oz over a five-year mine life, underpinned by the declaration of 4mt at 1.63g/t of gold for 210,500oz of open pit ore reserves. Main activities considered in the DFS include open pit mining operations at the Lady Shenton deposit in Menzies and the Lord Byron and Corkwell Tree deposits at Laverton. Also included is the upgrade...

Bravus awards $40m to local Queensland businesses Bravus Mining and Resources has awarded two contracts for the construction of a new heavy vehicle maintenance workshop at its Carmichael mine in central Queensland. Family-owned Cairns business CSF Steel Fabricators has been commissioned to fabricate and then freight more than 685t of structural steel to the mine. The steel will be used by Hawkins Group to construct the 5,700m2 Mine Industrial Area workshop and warehouse. Bravus Mining and resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says Bravus is a proud regional Queensland business and supporting local jobs, contractors and...