Author: Samantha Bawden

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...

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...