Author: Samantha Bawden

US closer to unlocking critical minerals cache 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...

Delta Lithium to demerge Mt Ida 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...

New Murchison Gold shouts eureka 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. (Image source: New Murchison Gold) The recent drilling program has confirmed the presence...

Macmahon wins $172m underground contract 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...

Alkane goes global: diversifying gold and antimony production 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...

Delta Lithium expands to Mortimer Hills 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...

Honeywell to boost production and efficiency at Eneabba 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...

Sandvik wins its largest ever BEV fleet order 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...

Westgold to massively increase production at Higginsville 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...

Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve: Australia’s move to independence The Australian Government has pledged an initial investment of $1.2b to create a strategic reserve of critical minerals for Australia. The move follows China placing export restrictions on several critical minerals in response to the US imposed tariffs on Chinese goods. China currently dominates the global critical mineral supply chain being the top producer of 30 of the 50 minerals considered critical. Australia has major deposits of various critical minerals and rare earths, however, almost the entirety of the processing of...

WA Government funds to unlock new exploration opportunities The WA Government has announced that it is allocating $11.2m in funding to the successful applicants of its 31st round of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). The EIS aims to encourage exploration for the long-term sustainability of the resource sector by helping overcome the financial barriers that early-stage projects often face. The latest round of funding will support 77 projects across WA, 49 projects of which will receive a total of $7.8m to support drilling programs. There are also 25 geophysics ventures that will receive $3.2m and three energy analysis program (EAP)...