Author: Samantha Bawden

Meeka Metals (ASX: MEK) has announced that first ore has been mined from open pits at its Murchison gold project, located in the Murchison Gold Fields of WA, following processing plant expansion works at the site approaching completion. First ore was mined from the St Anne’s north open pit during April and a stockpile of ore are now being built up in preparation for the commissioning of the processing plant in June 2025. Open pit mining activities also began at the Turnberry Central site during April making it the second of five stage one high-grade oxide open pits to go into production. Major structural works have been completed at the processing plant with strong progress continuing to be made in…

Mining technology giant Weir has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Mining Software Holdings (Micromine), a global leader in mining software solutions, for $1.3b. WA based Micromine provides intuitive software solutions for the mining and exploration industry with more than 22 offices globally and operates in more than 90 countries. Weir strives to utilise mining technology to help customers in the resource sector operate at their highest productivity and lowest environmental impact. Weir chief executive Jon Stanton said that the company is delighted by the formal completion of the acquisition. “Micromine is a high performing, high growth business of scale, and is a natural and complementary fir for Weir,” he said. “Weir’s mission is to deliver mining technology…

The US Government has expedited permitting for several proposed mining projects across the country as the nation strives to gain independence in the critical mineral circuit. One of the world’s most significant undeveloped copper deposits, the Resolution copper project, is getting a green light for fast-tracking. The joint venture between Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and BHP (ASX: BHP), 45% and 55% owned respectively, is anticipated to be the largest copper mine in North America. The proposed underground mine has the potential to meet up to 25% of the US copper annual demand once operational, producing nearly 20Mt of copper over its anticipated 40-year life. Rio and BHP have been in the process of permitting the mine since 2013 and continue…

In a bid to focus on its lithium assets, Delta Lithium (ASX: DLI) has announced a demerger of its Mt Ida gold assets into a separate entity, Ballard Mining. The demerger will provide a solid foundation to further advance Delta’s Mt Ida gold project, located 225km from Kalgoorlie in the Eastern Goldfields Province of WA, towards standalone production. The move will also allow Delta to focus on lithium exploration and development at its Yinetharra and Mt Ida lithium projects whilst maintaining a substantial interest in Ballard Mining and its gold mining activities. Delta’s managing director James Croser commented that the company has been diligently progressing the Mt Ida gold asset over the last year. “Now is the time for Delta…

New Murchison Gold (ASX: NMG) has confirmed the presence of strongly gold mineralised zones at depth at its Crown Prince gold project. The recent drilling program at the site has confirmed the presence of a high-grade gold bearing structure continuing below the planned open pit development at Crown Prince. The company has delivered an assay result of 0.28m at 17,240g/t of gold within a broader intersection of 1.64m at 3,090g/t of gold from 251.36m. The Crown Prince gold project is within NMG’s flagship Garden Gully gold project located near Meekatharra in WA. NMG chief executive Alex Passmore said that the company is delighted by the phenomenal results which equate to a gold grade in excess of 550oz p/t. “Together with…

Macmahon (ASX: MAH) has announced that it has been awarded an underground mining services contract at the Deflector underground gold-copper mine in the southern Murchison region of WA. The contract includes all underground and mine development and production services and all other associated works. The two-year contract commences on May 1 this year, with possible extension, and is expected to add $105m to Macmahon’s secured orderbook. Macmahon managing director and chief executive Michael Finnegan commented that the company is pleased to have been awarded the contract. “Macmahon values our relationship and are excited to continue building on this,” he said. “I would like to thank the Vault and Macmahon teams for their continued dedication and look forward to continuing to…

Perth based Alkane Resources (ASX: ALK) are set to acquire Canada based Mandalay Resources in a proposed “merger of equals” to create a diversified gold and antimony producer. The acquisition proposes that Alkane is to buy all issued and outstanding shares of Mandalay under a court-approved plan of arrangement in an all-share transaction. Mandalay shareholders will receive 7.875 Alkane common shares per each Mandalay common share held. The merged entity will operate under the name Alkane Resources and following the transaction, Mandalay shareholders will own 55% of the merged company and Alkane shareholders will hold 45%. The company will maintain its ASX listing as its primary and seek a Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) secondary listing with an implied market capitalization…

Delta Lithium (ASX: DLI) is expanding its Yinnetharra lithium and tantalum project as it acquires Mortimer Hills from Zeus Resources (ASX: ZEU). The strategic acquisition of Mortimer Hills, located in the Gascoyne region of WA, comprises of one granted exploration licence located 5km southeast of southeast along strike from Malinda. The tenure gives Delta access to another 4km of strike along the Leake Springs metasediment unit that hosts both the Malinda and Jameson resources that boast a combined 21.9Mt of lithium. Delta managing director James Croser said that the acquisition of Mortimer Hills is a strategic edition to the company’s Yinnetharra project. “Early-stage lithium exploration by the previous owner has been limited but nonetheless provides for encouraging results and helpful…

Honeywell has announced its integrated controls and safety system (ICSS) will be designed and implemented at Iluka Resources’ (ASX: ILU) Eneabba refinery to create a safer environment for workers and boost efficiency. Located in WA, the $1.8b refinery will be Australia’s first fully integrated rare earth refinery and will produce rare earth oxides essential to defence systems, electric and hybrid vehicles, robotics, sustainable energy technologies and consumer, industrial and agriculture applications. The site will benefit from the use of Honeywell’s integrated controls and safety systems that will allow for plant-wide control of the facility using an integrated automation system, transforming how plant automation projects are executed. Honeywell will also be providing safety systems that will minimize incident risk, maximise production…

South32 (ASX: S32) has ordered 22 battery-electric vehicles from Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions as part of a 42 strong underground equipment fleet. The fleet will be delivered to South32’s greenfield Hermosa critical minerals project in the US. Sandvik’s president Mats Eriksson said that the company is proud to contribute to an increased supply of critical minerals and support the continued electrification and decarbonisation of the resource sector. “Lower fuel expenses and maintenance costs coupled with longer equipment lifespan will enable a more efficient, economical and sustainable operation at Hermosa,” he said. South32’s Hermosa site, located in Arizona, is anticipated to become a globally significant producer of the critical minerals manganese and zinc. First production from the site is expected…

Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) has announced plans to expand its existing 1.6Mtpa Higginsville processing plant to 2.6Mtpa. The Higginsville expansion plan (HXP) would increase the steady state gold production at the site, located in WA, from 87,000 ounces per annum to between 122,000 and 160,000 ounces per annum. Westgold’s chief executive and managing director Wayne Bramwell said that the company’s strategy is to drive its cost base lower and increase free cash generation and improving outputs. “An expanded, lower cost 2.6Mtpa Higginsville mill will also enable greater resource development opportunities across the Southern Goldfields portfolio,” he said. “Debottlenecking of the existing Higginsville mill has commenced with the next phase of the Higginsville detailed engineering study to commence immediately, with a…