Category: Economics & Commodity Prices

Coal-fired generation for the National Electricity Market (NEM) fell to an all-time quarterly low, down 4.6% year-on-year, as renewables account for a record 52.4% of total energy needs during Q4 CY25.

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) reported increased lithium production during Q2 FY26, confirming its Bald Hill lithium operations may have hopes of resurrecting as prices rebound.

China has warned the Federal Government that imposing tariffs or quotas on steel imports could damage Australia’s iron ore industry.

Despite an increase in operating costs, Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has delivered record iron ore shipments and landed within production guidance for Q2 FY26.

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) reported record iron ore and copper production during Q4 CY25 — a successful first quarter for recently ascended chief executive Simon Trott.

BlueScope Steel (ASX: BSL) will return $438m in surplus cash to its shareholders via a special dividend of $1/share.

Solar and onshore wind form the basis for the least costly electricity mix for Australia moving towards the 2030 renewables target, according to CSIRO’s new GenCost draft report.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) draft 2026 integrated system plan (ISP) indicates that current strategies may not deliver energy security or climate objectives.

A new report has found gold projects accounted for $12.6b of the $18.7b in mining deals completed in Australia in FY25. 

Gina Rinehart has become the majority shareholder in the US’s only rare earths producer, MP Materials, while majorly decreasing her US-listed lithium holdings.

Diversification will keep major iron ore mining houses profitable, but waning Chinese demand is likely to push smaller producers out of the market, a new S&P Global report finds.