Author: Samantha Bawden

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...

Scholarships strengthen Australia’s critical minerals leadership The WA Government has announced a scholarship program for advance critical minerals research projects with funding from the state’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources. The critical minerals sector is pivotal to the global transition to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and sustainable technologies. The international scholarship program encourages eligible Australian researchers, postgraduate students and professionals to collaborate with global experts and contribute to Australia’s strategic priorities in the critical minerals sector. Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 per month over a six-month period to cover airfares, accommodation, transportation and related expenses. The funding supports research...

Major players launch autonomy trials Thiess has partnered with Norton Gold Fields (ASX: NGF) and EACON Mining Technology to launch a groundbreaking tripartite partnership to deploy autonomous haulage technology in Australia. A formal agreement was signed during a ceremony held in Melbourne witnessed by senior executives from all three companies. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in the Australian mining sector and advances the deployment of OEM-agnostic haulage systems through retrofit technology. By integrating EACON’s autonomy solution into Norton Gold Fields and Thiess mining trucks, the project reflects a shared ambition to enhance safety, productivity and...

Whitehaven supports Aboriginal Elders Olympics Whitehaven (ASX: WHC) was one of the major sponsors of the 2025 Aboriginal Elders Olympics which saw more than 400 Elders from across NSW participate in a series of games and social activities. The event offers participants the opportunity to engage in social interaction, physical activity and cultural exchange, fostering a sense of unity and pride amongst Indigenous communities. 27 teams competed in a round-robin format with points tallied across a range of activities to determine the winners. Hosted by the 2024 champion, the Inverell Bear Eaters,...

WesCEF Achieves 98% emissions reduction Wesfarmers Chemicals Energy and Fertilisers (WesCEF) is closing in on net zero operations following the installation of additional abatement catalysts. The abatement catalysts convert greenhouse gases into less harmful substances before they are released into the atmosphere. The advanced technology virtually eliminates emissions from WesCEF’s newest nitric acid ammonium nitrate (NAAN) plant in Kwinana, WA. WA Premier Roger Cook comments on the plant’s milestone. “I want to ensure WA’s economy remains the strongest in the nation,” he said. “This project is the exact thing I want to see more of in WA. “By helping...

WA awards innovation in mining The WA Government has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) awards. The awards create opportunities to highlight mining and resource sector focused startups and emerging businesses. Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) is the primary sponsor of the awards with two awards given in its name ­­ the Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation Award and the Rio Tinto Growth Innovation Award. This year’s program recognises WA innovators across seven different awards with winners...

Alcoa supports men’s mental health Alcoa (ASX: AAI) is supporting the 2025 M8D8 program, organised by WA’s Youth Focus, for its third consecutive year. The campaign, focusing on the Peel and South-West regions, highlights the importance of conversations between friends and how they can make a significant difference to young men’s mental health. M8D8 encourages young men to talk about how they are feeling, regardless of whether it is good or bad. The nearly 50% increase in mental ill health related issues since 2007, highlighting the importance of awareness and support around this...

Rio's critical move into critical minerals Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and partner Indium Corporation have successfully extracted its first primary gallium as part of a research and development project. The project aims to produce commercial quantities of the critical mineral present in the bauxite processed at Rio’s Vaudreuil refinery in Quebec in Canada, the country’s one and only alumina refinery. Gallium is used in key sectors including the manufacturing high-performance radars, smartphones, electric vehicles and laptops. The mineral is produced in limited quantities across the globe with only an estimate 600t produced annually. Rio Tinto chief executive Jérôme...