Author: Samantha Bawden

Tasmania strengthens its resource future 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...

Genesis strikes deal for gold 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...

Industry future unlocked with Trailblazer 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...

Skeena advances Eskay Creek with Sandvik 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...

Liebherr wins gold again 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...

Iron Bridge ramps up production 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...

GEMCO back on track 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...

Liberty Bell Bay halts operations 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...

JSW uses Slovakian solutions 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....

Lynas become world first outside of China Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) has commercially produced separated heavy rare earths following its successful production of dysprosium oxide at its Malaysia plant. This makes the company the only global producer of the products outside of China. Dysprosium is critical to the production of high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Production of the strategic mineral has been affected by China’s recent export restrictions. Lynas, based in Perth, WA, confirmed the successful production of its first batch of the mineral on Friday. The company currently sources the ore for its...

Pit to ship progress for Onslow Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has marked a new milestone at its Onslow iron project, in the west Pilbara region of WA, with more than 10mt of iron ore shipped out of the Port of Ashburton. The project is expected to increase production to more than 35mt annually over its 30-year life span. After achieving first ore on ship ahead of schedule in May last year, development across all aspects of the pit to ship supply chain has continued to increase. At the Port of Ashburton, the project’s marine and port infrastructure continues to be a crucial part of the supply chain. Innovative 20,000t shallow transhippers are being used to ferry the ore to larger...