Author: Samantha Bawden

Following encouraging geological results, Kingsrose Mining (ASX: KRM) and BHP (ASX: BHP) will renew their Finnmark Alliance for another year to continue exploration of several critical minerals throughout Norway. Since its inception, BHP has provided funding of more than $9m (US$5.84m) to the project. The company has pledged an additional $5.42m (US$3.5m) in funding in the alliance’s second year. “During the past year we achieved one of the largest generative exploration programs globally,” Kingsrose managing director Fabian Baker says. “It is a rare opportunity to explore entire mineral belts from first principles, we are grateful to BHP for supporting these efforts financially and with the support and expertise of their multidisciplinary teams.” BHP has elected to cease funding to the…

Employment in WA’s resource sector has reached record heights, marking eight consecutive years of employment growth within the industry. The WA Government has attributed the continued growth to strong mineral and petroleum sales totalling more than $223b and the continued development of iron ore, gold, lithium, nickel and alumina operations across the state. Last year, iron ore dominated mineral sales totalling $128b, the third highest ever recorded by the state, driven by strong prices and the production of near-record volumes. Gold also hit a record $24b in sales amid a stellar price environment. The state also saw the highest value in alumina sales, $7.4b, since the global COVID-19 pandemic. “WA’s resources sector continues to set new benchmarks, with record employment…

The Tasmania Government has hit an important investment milestone with the latest round of its Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI) taking investment to $8.2m since 2018. In round 11 of the program, seven new projects have been approved to share funding of more than $497,000. Amongst the recipients are EDrill’s Potoroo gold project, Bluestone’s (ASX: BUE) Western Hills tin and copper project and Georgina Resources Jukes north gold and copper project. The EDGI program is designed to encourage mineral exploration programs to identify deposits that could create the next generation of mines across the state. “Round 11 of the Tasmanian Government’s EDGI grants cover a range of critical, strategic and precious metals,” Tasmania Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric…

Genesis Minerals (ASX: GMD) is set to acquire the Laverton gold project from Focus Minerals (ASX: FML) for $250m in a move to foster growth. The company has entered a binding share purchase agreement with Focus for the project that boasts a mineral resource estimate of 4moz at 1.7g/t and 546,000oz in reserves at 1.3g/t. Genesis says that there is substantial scope for the project to supply both open-pit and underground ore to its Laverton mill about 30km away. Completion of the acquisition is expected to occur early next month and the company has referred to the project as a highly strategic acquisition that will consolidate the Laverton assets. Genesis managing director Raleigh Finlayson says this is the perfect bolt-on…

The Federal Department of Education’s $380m Trailblazer Universities Program has established six Trailblazers focused on national priorities including resources technology, critical minerals and the clean energy transition. Under the program, 14 universities and 220 industry partners have also co-invested $1.14b to build new research capabilities and drive commercialisation outcomes to accelerate Australia’s innovation agenda. The Resource Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer program continues to build new research capabilities and drive commercialisation in resources and critical minerals industries across Australia. The program aims to transform the way industry, universities and researchers work together and support innovative startups and business growth in this sector. One of the projects to receive funding from the Trailblazer included the auto-optimisation for shutdown maintenance scheduling at…

Sandvik Mining has been awarded a contract with Skeena Gold & Silver for early work construction activities at its flagship Eskay Creek gold-silver project in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle. Sandvik has already delivered three Leopard DI650i down-the-hole (DTH) drill rigs that were contracted to advance operations at the site. A fourth is anticipated in June, marking a significant milestone in the advancing of one of Canada’s highest-grade open-pit precious metal projects. The deal was secured through successful collaboration between Sandvik and the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC), portraying the commitment from both companies to Indigenous partnership and localised value creation in the region. Skeena operations vice president Kyle Foster said that the Sandvik machines were selected for their versatility, proven…

Liebherr-MCCtecGmbH has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainable business practices for the fourth year in a row. More than 150,000 companies worldwide are assessed every year by the renowned sustainability rating agency, with the gold medal being reserved for the top 5% of companies. The ratings are based on indicators in four key areas: environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Last year, Liebherr-MCCtec GmbH implemented major improvements and initiatives across its sustainability practices, including the introduction of new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions in production plants, the extension of ISO certification to additional locations and the implementation of a comprehensive energy efficiency programme that has reduced energy consumption. The company has also introduced and expanded…

Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) Iron Bridge magnetite operation in the Pilbara region of WA is on track to safely and successfully deliver its FY25 shipping guidance. Following an optimisation assessment of the dry plant in the ore processing facilities, the company anticipates that shipments from the project will increase to 10 – 12mt in FY26 and achieve an annualised production rate of 16 – 20mt in the second half of FY27. The assessment of the dry plant focused on optimising the performance of the air classification circuit and downstream aerobelt conveyors at the site. Workstreams included in-house redesign of the air classification units and installation of upgraded ceramic liners to address premature erosion and, as a result of these initiatives, Iron…

Marking a milestone in its recovery, South32’s (ASX: S32) Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) has resumed export sales. As one of the largest manganese ore producers in the world, the more than yearlong halt in operations caused significant disruptions to supply chains both domestically and internationally. Export sales are expected to increase from the site, located in the Northern Territory, over the next few months before returning to normalised rates in the new financial year. Mining pits at the site were flooded and infrastructure was extensively damaged, following Tropical Cyclone Megan, which produced record rainfall and some of the strongest winds recorded in more than 20 years in the region. Recovery activities began as soon as the area was deemed…

Australia’s only commercial ferroalloy smelter, located in Tasmania, has moved into care and maintenance due to ongoing global iron ore supply issues and market fluctuations. The Liberty Bell Bay smelter is considered one of the largest ferroalloy produces globally, operating since, producing ferro manganese and silicomanganese, two alloys commonly used in steel production. The plant has an annual liquid steel capacity of over 6mt. Tasmania Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz says that the state government has been and will continue to maintain very close contact with liberty Bell Bay and the broader GFC Alliance group to work through the situation. “We will respond accordingly with our focus on ensuring the well-being of the workers, suppliers, contractors and community…

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) contractor JSW Drilling has looked to the mountains of Europe to develop exploration drilling operations in the Northern Jarrah Forest of WA that will have the lowest possible environmental impact. Drawing inspiration from specialised Slovakian-made forestry equipment, JSW have developed innovative drilling rigs for low-impact forest drilling. The company refined then customised a cab chassis specifically for Alcoa’s minimalist impact needs. The cab and custom-made drill control station are equipped with protective features designed in accordance with Australian forestry standards and Alcoa’s operational requirements, ensuring enhanced safety and risk mitigation in forested environments. The chassis has the unique ability to both oscillate and articulate, meaning the machines can rotate and turn tightly to navigate around trees. They…