Latest News

Chalice Mining’s (ASX: CHN) pre-feasibility study has been completed for the Gonneville palladium-nickel-copper project in WA, confirming a 23-year open pit phase.  Gonneville is set to become Australia’s first primary platinum group metal (PGM) mine and second largest nickel mine, producing an average of 220kozpa of 3E precious metals (palladium, platinum and gold), plus 7ktpa of nickel, 8ktpa of copper and .7ktpa of cobalt.  This would help diversify global supply as about 93% of current PGM supply comes from Russia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.  According to Chalice, about 50% of the resource remains unmined (about 7.9moz 3E, 450kt nickel, 250kt copper, 46kt cobalt contained).  Chalice managing director and chief executive Alex Dorsch says the PFS is a major milestone for…

Operations at the Port of Ashburton, a critical link in Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Onslow Iron supply chain, are now running entirely on natural gas. The complete transition from diesel to natural gas for port operations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst streamlining operations through the removal of extensive diesel logistics and handling, according to the miner. The change will result in displacing about 60 million litres of diesel every year for power generation at the port. Site infrastructure includes a 14MW gas-fired power station which is now connected to the Wheatstone Ashburton West Gas Pipeline. MinRes power station operations manager Gary Stevens comments on the milestone. “The introduction of a gas-fired power station at the port represents a major…

Thiess has secured a $700m alliance agreement with Harmony to deliver bulk earthworks, workshop construction and mining services over five years for the Eva copper mine project. Thiess group and chief executive Michael Wright comments on the alliance agreement. “The Eva Copper Alliance Agreement aligns Thiess and Harmony strategically and operationally – enabling us to set new benchmarks for sustainable, efficient copper development at what will be the largest copper mine in Queensland,” he said. Thiess group executive Australia East Rae O’Brien continues. “Our alliance with Harmony is underpinned by our deeply aligned values, particularly in supporting local procurement, new-to-industry and Indigenous workforce development, community engagement and a steadfast commitment to safety – we look forward to working together to…

Anglo American and Teck shareholders have approved the merger of equals to form Anglo Teck. A majority of votes, 99.7%, were cast in favour of the merger resulting in an all-stock, nil-premium $53b transaction. Anglo American chief executive Duncan Wanblad comments on the merger. “We are extremely pleased to have received such strong support both from shareholders and stakeholders alike,” he said. “Bringing together the best of both companies, Anglo Teck is set up to deliver outstanding value for shareholders of both companies – in the near term through a unique combination of industrial and other synergies, and in the longer term by applying proven capabilities to exceptional growth optionality, offering investors more than 70% exposure to copper. “Looking ahead,…

Summit Minerals (ASX: SUM) has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the historic high-grade polymetallic Keystone mine in Nevada, US. This forms part of the Keystone project, located within the large-scale skarn district and hosting significant historic and current production of silver, gold, lead, zinc, molybdenum and tungsten. The site has official historic records dating back to 1937, all of which indicate the production of 36,000oz silver and 64oz gold, averaging 32.2oz/t silver, .038 oz/t gold (909 g/t silver, 2.29 g/t gold). Further historic reports highlight tungsten trioxide grades ranging from .5% to 2.25% recorded in drill core. Summit Minerals managing director Matthew Cobb comments on the acquisition. “I am incredibly excited by the acquisition of Keystone,” he said…

BHP (ASX: BHP) has entered a binding agreement with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), in relation to the miner’s share of WA Iron Ore’s (WAIO) inland power network. Currently, BHP holds an 85% interest in WAIO. Under the agreement, an entity will be formed to split this interest with BHP controlling 51% and GIP holding the remaining 49%. BHP will pay the entity a tariff linked to its share of WAIO’s inland power across a 25-year period. BHP retains full operational control of WAIO including its inland power structure. BHP chief executive Mike Henry says he is pleased with the agreement. “This arrangement enables BHP to access capital and maintain operational and strategic control of a critical part of WAIO’s infrastructure,”…

Northern Star Resources’ (ASX: NST) FY26 exploration program continues to target near-mine growth across production centres, with spend heavily weighted to the miner’s flagship KCGM operations. The $225m budget is being spent across Northern Star’s three production centres of Kalgoorlie, Yandal and Pogo as well as the newly acquired Hemi development project. The exploration has yielded significant new discoveries of Hercules (Kalgoorlie), Golden Wonder (Yandal) and Star (Pogo). Northern Star managing director Stuart Tonkin comments on the company’s exploration updates. “This update highlights the strong organic growth potential across our global portfolio,” he said. “At Kalgoorlie, drilling and investment are driving growth, with future options to supply high-margin ore to the expanded Fimiston mill from FY27. “At Pogo, new drill…

WorkSafe has reported that the 53-year-old worker killed at Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine in Victoria on December 5 was operating a cable bolter about 1.6km underground when he became entangled in the machinery. The death is the 53rd confirmed workplace fatality for 2025 — an increase from the 48 work-related deaths reported at the same time last year. A cable bolter machine is a heavy-duty rig used in underground mining settings to install long steel cable bolts for rock stabilisation. These machines typically weigh about 20t and feature several moving parts that pose entanglement risks. In 2024, being trapped by moving machinery or equipment accounted for 5% of workplace deaths and the fatality rate by occupation was highest, 6.7…

The Queensland Government has awarded $1.5m to Coreo to progress a study aiming to unlock critical minerals from coal mine tailings. Coreo, a specialist circular economy consultancy, will collaborate with major coal producers on the study to examine options for recovery of valuable minerals from mine waste. The study will build on the successes and lessons of the Bowen Basin circularity project to capture untapped value across the mining supply chain. According to CSIRO, only 3.7% of Australia’s economy is considered circular and new circular products from waste resources could provide market opportunities with the potential of a $210b economic boost for Australia to 2050. Coreo chief executive and co-founder Ashleigh Morris says by focusing on critical minerals in coal…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released its first Pilbara-made iron ore rail car in Karratha, WA, as part of a $150m partnership with Gemco Rail. The collaboration between Rio Tinto, Gemco Rail and CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock will see 100 railcars being manufactured to support local production capacity in WA. This railcar marks the completion of 40 WA-made iron ore railcars manufactured in Gemco Rail’s Perth facility, with the remaining 60 expected to be manufactured in the new, purpose-built facility in Karratha. The Karratha facility is expected to create up to 25 local jobs. This collaboration is supported by the WA Government’s $6.9m investment into the Local Manufacturing Investment Fund (LMIF) as part of its Made in WA plan. WA…

Liontown Limited (ASX: LTR) has signed an offtake agreement for 150,000wmtpa of spodumene concentrate with world-leading lithium manufacturer Canmax Technologies. The agreement assures the supply of spodumene concentrate over 2027 and 2028 from Liontown’s Kathleen Valley project in WA. Pricing will be based on a formula using global spodumene concentrate indices. Liontown managing director and chief executive officer Tony Ottaviano comments on the deal. “We are pleased to execute an offtake agreement with Canmax, one of the world’s leading lithium chemicals companies,” he said. “Their participation in our 2025 institutional placement signalled strong confidence in the long-term potential of Kathleen Valley, and this offtake agreement reinforces their commitment. “Securing sales linked to spodumene concentrate indices coupled with continuing our strategy…