Author: Samantha Bawden

Austmine and AusIMM have announced the finalists for the 2025 Industry Leaders & Awards, celebrating excellence across Australia’s world-leading mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors. Winners will be announced on 21 May at the Industry Leaders & Awards Dinner held as part of the Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25) in Brisbane. The annual awards highlight the achievements of individuals and organisations who are shaping the future of the resource sector, from driving forward innovation and operational excellence to expanding Australia’s global footprint and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders. The event will bring together more than 1000 industry professionals to recognise leadership, innovation and impact across five major award categories. Craig Senger Excellence in Export Award (Supported by Austrade)…

Cat® has announced new advanced safety technology, including a collision warning and motion inhibit system, across its next generation medium wheel loaders. Fully integrated for optimal performance, the new features are designed to improve safety, operational efficiency and provide greater accuracy. Cat global product application specialist for medium wheel loaders Frank Stadelmann comments on the new technology. “Our new optional collision warning system with motion inhibit includes object detection, people detection and motion inhibit as a package to improve safe operation by alerting operators and inhibiting loader motion in the instant a machine transitions from an inactive to an active state,” he says. The collision warning technology leverages a multiview (360°) vision system and radar technology to allow operators to…

Peabody Energy has confirmed it still intends to acquire Anglo American’s Australian portfolio of steelmaking coal mines despite the recent pause in operations. The company notified Anglo American of a material adverse change (MAC) that relates to a fire that occurred at the Moranbah North coal mine, located in Queensland, in March. If the MAC is not resolved to Peabody’s satisfaction within the timeline under the acquisition agreements, the company may elect to terminate the multi-billion-dollar deal. Anglo American confirmed that the small ignition was contained and that they continue to work with stakeholders to progress to recommencing operations. Peabody president and chief executive Jim Grech comments on the acquisition. “While we have remained on track to complete the steelmaking…

The Federal Government is focusing on critical mineral supply and the renewable energy transition following Australia’s federal election results. As the country moves towards net zero operations, the Federal Government is looking to facilitate private sector investment to support a stronger and more resilient economy. The Federal Government pledges to invest $22.7b into five key areas that include utilising natural resources and critical minerals. The initiative notably provides a 10% production tax credit to incentivise domestic critical minerals processing at an estimated value of $7b over the next 11 years. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) chief executive Warren Pearce comments on the critical minerals production tax incentive (CMPTI). “This will help level the playing field with global…

The Department for Energy and Mining has opened consultation for a review of South Australia’s Mining Act. The department is seeking feedback on ways it can improve the act to ensure the state continues to meet industry, community and environmental expectations as global demand for critical minerals increases. The Mining Act 1971 and its regulations were last updated in 2020. Ongoing community and industry feedback has identified further amendments that could keep the state’s regulatory environment for exploration and mining even more consistent, competitive, accountable and productive. The feedback focuses on a range of potential options to update with areas including: Mineral exploration tenure How existing Native Title rights and interests are reflected Private mine regulation Technical and operational amendments…

Emerging gold producer Brightstar Resources (ASX: BTR) continues to deliver significant results from its drilling program at the Sandstone gold project. Recent drilling results, located within the 1.5Moz at 1.5g/t gold Sandstone Hub, confirm the continuity of high-grade gold mineralization at the Lord Nelson and Bull Oak deposits and indicate promising potential for future mining activities.. The drilling program at the site, located near Laverton in the Goldfields of WA, is ongoing and more promising results are anticipated. The Lord Nelson deposit holds a current mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 5.6Mt at 1.6g/t gold for 291koz od gold and the Bull Oak deposit has a total resource of 2.5Mt at 1.1g/t gold for 90koz. Upgraded MRE’s are expected following the…

South African gold giant Gold Fields is set to acquire one of Australia’s largest gold miners, Gold Road (ASX: GOR), in a takeover scheme valuing the company at $3.7b. Gold Road has convinced its Gruyere gold mine joint venture partner to increase its takeover bid, proposed in March for $3.3b, by nearly $400m. Gold Road has entered a scheme implementation deed that will allow Gold Fields to acquire 100% of shares in Gold Road by way of a scheme arrangement. Under the terms of the scheme Gold Road shareholders will receive a fixed cash consideration of $2.52 per share plus a variable cash consideration equal to the full value of each shareholder’s proportionate holding in Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST)…

Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR) has sought a trading halt pending the release of an announcement. The ASX announced that the halt, as requested by Gold Road, will remain in place until the commencement of trading on Tuesday 6 May or when the announcement is released to the market. The pause in trading comes amidst media speculation over a potential change of control transaction. South African gold miner Gold Fields previously proposed a $3.3b takeover bid of Gold Road in March earlier this year. The bid from Gold Fields, which Gold Road jointly owns the Gruyere gold mine in WA, was quickly rejected by the company. The company stated that the offer from Gold Fields was hostile, highly opportunistic in…

Catalyst Metals (ASX: CYL) has announced a transformative move to digital operations at its Plutonic gold mine in North Meekatharra in WA. The move, incorporating RCT-Powered by Epiroc, comes as the company prepares for the future of mining technology. RCT is a global technology partner that offers an array of interoperable machine solutions to revolutionise the mining sector by reducing operational costs and improving bottom line profit. Catalyst’s digital revolution consists of comprehensive upgrades to existing machines, not just new equipment, including Sandvik and Cat loaders with the implementation of RCT’s AutoNav package. This state-of-the-art technology enables the machines to navigate autonomously with higher precision that ensures increased productivity and improved working environments for operators. The adoption of modular platforms…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) discussed a move into critical minerals and rare earths amidst global trade tensions and shifting market dynamics at its annual general meeting held in Perth yesterday. As countries move to create their own independent domestic supply chains, critical minerals have held the international spotlight. Following the US’ implementation of tariffs and China’s export restriction as a response, Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm commented that the company is considering the role of critical minerals in its future portfolio. Mr Stausholm noted that critical minerals are already present throughout Rio’s existing operations and that the company will consider if processing them more deliberately is the next step forward. Rio chairman Dominic Barton said that the company is…

Komatsu Australia has announced that it is now distributing to customers in Papua New Guinea. This follows Komatsu acquisition of existing distributor UMW Niugini Limited, now renamed Komatsu Niugini Limited (KNL), completed yesterday on the 1 May 2025. Komatsu Australia managing director Sean Taylor says the acquisition resulted after a change in the ownership structure of the joint venture parties that previously owned UNM Niugini Limited. “As a result of this change in structure, KNL has become a fully owned part of the Komatsu group,” he said. “Komatsu Australia is the obvious choice to manage Komatsu Niugini going forward, given our proven expertise and success in the Oceania region. “The KNL team will be able to draw on the resources…