Author: Samantha Bawden

Seeking the Next Big Idea: Pitch at Innovation Hour, Copper to the World 2025 As demand for copper surges to support electrification, renewables and decarbonisation, the copper industry must respond with new levels of agility, efficiency and environmental responsibility. Unlocking new supply will require innovative solutions that go beyond incremental improvements, we need to mine deeper, process smarter and operate more sustainably across the entire value chain. In response to these challenges, Austmine is inviting innovators, technology providers and solutions developers to take the stage at Innovation Hour, held as part of Copper to the World 2025 in Adelaide. Austmine chief executive Christine Gibbs Stewart says Innovation Hour gives the conference the opportunity...

Liebherr-Australia celebrates 100th bucket The fabrication team at Liebherr-Australia’s Perth facility in WA has celebrated a major manufacturing milestone with the fabrication of its 100th bucket. The facility began operation more than a decade ago, operating a small 12-person team and a single reused bearing block. This site has now grown to become one of the industry’s most trusted service hubs supporting Liebherr’s dozer, excavators and mining trucks across WA. Today, the facility employs 25 workers, including five apprentices, and in addition to component rebuild and refurbishments, the team provides comprehensive aftersales support...

Thiess win $2.3b contract extension Jellinbah Group has awarded Thiess a contract extension at its Lake Vermont coal mine near Dysart in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. The new contract will replace the current, due to expire in 2026, and includes an extension to June 2028 for Thiess to provide full mining services at the site. The services include: Statutory operation Mine engineering and mining operations Maintenance and asset management of fixed and mobile equipment Rehabilitation works Thiess will also operate and maintain Jellinbah Group’s handling...

MinRes unveils Mungala Resort Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has officially opened its industry-leading accommodation at its Onslow Iron project in the West Pilbara region of WA. The resort style accommodation is now fully operational, leading MinRes’ efforts to set the standard for FIFO facilities in the WA resource sector. Located opposite Ken Bore’s airport, the facility features 500 rooms each measuring 45m2 — three times the size of traditional FIFO accommodation. MinRes people director Andrea Chapman says Onslow Iron’s accommodation and amenities are unique in the resource industry. "We know working FIFO often involves long hours in tough conditions, so Onslow Iron was MinRes' opportunity to take the care of our people...

FMG achieves green fuel milestone Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has successfully completed the issuance of the world’s first digital fuel certificate for an ammonia-to-ship transfer at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The transaction involved the Fortescue Green Pioneer, the first ocean-going dual-fuelled ammonia powered vessel, during a recent fuel transfer operation. Issued by Trovio’s CorTenX registry platform, the certificate marks a breakthrough in the development of systems to trace and verify new marine fuels for the global energy transition. The digital certificate provides auditable transparency across the supply chain by capturing immutable, granular data on the sustainability attributes...

UQ to upskill Latin America miners The University of Queensland (UQ) has been granted $1m in funding to design and deliver short courses for workers at mining projects in Chile and Argentina. The funding, provided by the Federal Department of Education, is part of an Australian transnational education program supporting the development of global skilled workforces in the critical minerals sector. UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute has a longstanding partnership with the Latin American mining industry through its International Centre of Excellence (SMI-ICE) based in Santiago, Chile. The SMI-ICE Chile currently employs 33 staff members and has strong relationships with...

Westgold awards Barminco $200m contract Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining subsidiary Barminco has signed a three-year contract with Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) for works at its WA based Great Fingall gold mine. The scope of works will cover mine development, production and all associated underground mining services at the site near Cue, WA. Works are set to commence next month and the contract also includes an optional 12-month extension. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is excited to be partnering with Westgold...

Fortescue backed pilot plant makes debut Sparc Hydrogen has launched a pilot plant using first of its kind green hydrogen reactor technology at the University of Adelaide in South Australia. The company is a joint venture between Fortescue (ASX: FMG), Sparc Technologies and the University of Adelaide founded to translate research conducted at the university. The Sparc Hydrogen Advanced Research Pilot (SHARP) is a test bed for photocatalytic water splitting (PWS), a process which harnesses solar to extract green hydrogen from water. The method, unlike traditional processes, does...

Whyalla sale attracts international interest The sale process for the Whyalla Steelworks formally opened after receiving strong interest from global steelmakers. Selected prospective buyers have now been given access to a secure data room, enabling parties to prepare non-binding indicative offers as part of a phased approach to the sale. The Federal and South Australian governments have committed a combined $1.9b in funding support to transform the operations into a commercially viable, low-emissions, ‘pit to port’ iron and steel facility. This funding is part of previous broader $2.4b assistance package underpinning long-term jobs and economic resilience for Whyalla and the Upper Spencer...

NSW budget supports industry future The NSW 2025 state budget has been delivered and includes important initiatives to support the growth of the state’s resource industry. Amongst the initiatives, $17.7m was allocated towards the new Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) which is expected to assist around 30 large projects, bringing forwards more than $50b of investment annually. Association of Mining and Exploration (AMEC) chief executive Warren Pearce says the mineral exploration and mining industry looks forward to receiving further information about the IDA...

Rio commits $5m to Aboriginal health care Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has partnered with Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) to provide vital community-led health services for First Nations people across the Pilbara in WA. The funding will be provided to PAHA to advance its objective of improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, families and communities across the region. The first project supported by the partnership is the new dialysis unit at Tom Price, with funds helping to provide transport, accommodation and wrap around support for patients. Construction of the Tom price Dialysis Unit has...