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Toyota Australia and BHP have announced a trial of the first-ever battery electric HiLux double cab ute prototype. The trial of the electric HiLux double cab will see it deployed at BHP’s Port Hedland operations in WA where it will be used in a range of applications traditionally performed by diesel-powered light vehicles. Starting in late November, the trial will run for about 12 months, with BHP to provide feedback to Toyota after the conclusion of the trial. Toyota Australia president and chief executive Matthew Callachor says the trial marks an exciting opportunity for both companies and was a significant milestone in the HiLux’s history. “Toyota has long advocated a multi-pathway approach towards decarbonisation, and when we do something, we…

Gold Valley has exported its first shipment of iron ore from the Port of Esperance, with bulk carrier MV Sifnos setting sail with more than 78,000t or iron ore from the Wiluna West mine in the Northern Goldfields towards China. This marks the first time the port has had two iron ore customers sharing its iron ore circuit assets, including shed space, ship loader and berth. WA Ports Minister David Michael says the State’s mining industry continues to drive the nation’s economy, with the ports playing a critical role in connecting trade to the world. “Southern Ports opening its Port of Esperance to a second iron ore customer is another example of how the ports sector is driving economic benefits…

Queensland’s Moranbah North mines rescue team was crowned the overall winner of the 2024 Australian Underground Mines Rescue competition held at Chain Valley Colliery near Newcastle, NSW. The annual event brings together the top mines rescue teams to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to safety in the mining industry. Four teams from NSW —each having won their respective regional competitions — and four teams from Queensland mining teams, also decided by a series of competitions, competed for the 2024 title. Now in its 60th year, the competition features a series of challenging scenarios that replicate real-life emergencies faced in mining operations in both underground and surface environments. Anglo American Australia chief executive Dan van der Westhuizen says the Moranbah North…

Regis Resources (ASX: RRL) has responded to the dominating discussion around the McPhillamys decision in its Q1 FY25 report, highlighting its next steps and opportunities beyond the $1b mine. A section 10 declaration under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection (ATSIHP) Act 1984 was made over the proposed tailings storage facility (TSF) in August, which Regis says renders the project unviable in its current form. Regis Resources managing director Jim Beyer says the site still has the potential to be a robust project with low operating costs and significant leverage to the spot gold price. “However, based on our extensive industry experience, our view is that it could now take between five to ten years to develop a…

The Victoria Resources Regulator has renewed two retention licences held by Gippsland Critical Minerals at the Fingerboards mineral sands project. As part of this renewal, the regulator has placed strict conditions on Gippsland with the company to seek a Victorian Government determination on the future requirements of the Environmental Effects Statement, following the project’s failure to gain approval in 2021. Other milestones and performance requirements include thorough engagement with the community and Traditional Owners, climate modelling, environmental baseline monitoring and rehabilitation trials. Failing to deliver these milestones could lead to the cancellation of the licences. Resources Victoria executive director regulatory operations Chris Webb comments on the update. “Through this decision we are providing Gippsland Critical Minerals with time to reshape…

The Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) Local Content Report shows resources companies spent $32.7b purchasing goods and services from Queensland companies in FY23 an increase of almost $6b on the previous financial year. QRC chief executive Janette Hewson says the report confirms the importance of the resources sector to Queensland’s economy goes beyond the direct contribution it generates for our state through royalties and jobs. “Our report reveals nearly three of every four dollars, or 72%, were spent by resources companies with businesses in Queensland,” she said. “Buying local means resources companies are supporting Queensland businesses to grow and create more jobs, particularly in the regions. “The $6b increase in spending reflects the importance that resources companies place on supporting local…

Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) iron ore shipments were 4% higher in Q1 FY25 compared to the same period last year, despite higher C1 cost driven by inflationary pressures and a higher strip ratio. The Iron Bridge operation in WA, Fortescue’s first foray into the high-grade segment of the iron ore market, was a key player in this success, contributing 1.6mt to the 47.7mt total for iron ore shipments. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto says Fortescue’s strong start to FY25, with record first quarter iron ore shipments, was achieved while maintaining a group total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) of 1.2. “This strong operating performance means we are on track to meet our FY25 market guidance,” he said. “We also celebrated…

Newmont (ASX: NEM) is revving up for a strong finish to CY24, capitalising off its divestment program and a roaring gold market in Q3. In Q3 CY24, Newmont announced the sale of its Akyem operation in the Republic of Ghana and its Telfer operation in WA, two landmark agreements in the company’s continuing program to divest its non-core assets as it shifts focus to its Tier 1 assets. Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer comments on the company’s Q3 results. “In the third quarter, Newmont delivered 2.1moz gold equivalent and generated $760m in free cash flow from our world-class portfolio,” he said. “We continue to make meaningful progress on our non-core divestment program with the two transactions announced in…

Edith Cowan University (ECU), CPC Engineering and Impact Minerals (ASX: IPT) have secured a $2.87m grant a trial a new high purity alumina (HPA) process. As part of the Federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) program, the grant will help fund the development of a pilot plant to validate Impact’s innovative, low-carbon process for producing HPA and sulphate of potash (SOP). Impact’s innovative approach uses a hydrometallurgical process with salts from lake-based deposits, eliminating the crushing and grinding process as well as significantly reducing the energy footprint. Impact managing director Dr Mike Jones says the company is proud to lead this transformative project. “Being able to commence work on our pilot plant and the subsequent feasibility studies with the…

Australia’s leading space exploration company, Fleet Space Technologies, has partnered with Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) to advance exploration at the latter’s Rincon lithium project in Argentina. Leveraging Fleet Space’s end-to-end exploration solution, ExoSphere, Rio will develop 3D subface maps of the reservoir basement depth and brine influencing structures across 100km2 of the project’s salt flat and subvolcanic structures. Fleet Space co-founder and chief executive Flavia Tata Nardini commented on the partnership. “We are proud to deploy ExoSphere’s real-time Multiphysics capabilities in support of Rio Tinto’s data-driven exploration for energy transition minerals,” she said. “We look forward to bringing the latest innovations in spacetech, 3D multiphysics and AI to unlock new insights, predictive capabilities and sustainability benefits to advance the development…

The NSW Government is calling on Lake Macquarie and Lake Munmorah residents to participate in a new coal ash advisory committee. The committee has been set up following the State’s Parliamentary Inquiry into remediation costs of sites containing coal ash repositories. NSW Health has commissioned a review of environmental data to determine whether people living close to power stations and coal ash dams are exposed to potentially harmful chemicals through air, water, soil or local fish and seafood. The committee will allow open discussions between NSW Health and representatives of the local community, stakeholder groups and local councils on the potential health impacts of coal ash. NSW Central Coast David Harris Minister says the new committee will allow the State…