Author: Samantha Bawden

South Australia opens Mining Act for review 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...

Brightstar accelerates towards development at Sandstone 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 Fields to acquire Gold Road for $3.7b 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...

Gold Road Resources halts trading 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...

Digital revolution at Plutonic gold mine 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...

Rio Tinto consider move into critical minerals 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...

Komatsu Australia travels to Papua New Guinea 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...

Murchison gold project delivers first ore 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...

Weir confirms completion of Micromine acquisition 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...

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...