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As the demand for lithium continues to grow, supply is expected to fall short of demand as early as next year, with up to 75% of the world’s lithium-rich saltwater sources remaining untappable using current methods. Monash University engineers have developed world-first technology, EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF), enabling direct lithium extraction from difficult-to-process sources. The technology extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously, unlike traditional methods that treat magnesium salts as waste, making it smarter, faster and more sustainable. The work, co-led by Dr Zhikao Li, from the Monash Suzhou Research Institute and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Professor Xiwang Zhang from the University of Queensland, paves the way for more sustainable and efficient extraction practices. Studies undertaken…

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King is visiting Japan this week in a move to promote resources and energy trade, investment and advance a Future Made in Australia. Further opportunities to partner with Japan on critical minerals projects will be a priority during the visit. Minister King will hold talks with executives from some of Japan’s largest companies and will deliver a keynote address in Nagoya to a major Joint Business Conference, which brings together Japanese and Australian business leaders. Minister King comments on the visit. “Japan is one of Australia’s most trusted and valued trading partners and Australia is rock solid in its commitment to remain a reliable and stable source of resources and energy,” she said. “At the same time,…

Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has donated five spodumene-rich lithium ore samples from its Kathleen Valley lithium project in WA to the WA Museum’s minerals collection. These samples are now part of the Earth and Planetary Sciences department, which manages a comprehensive collection of over 30,000 mineral specimens from across the state. This collection marks a valuable resource for prospectors, industry professionals and academics. Liontown senior mine geologist Lincoln Young led the initiative to donate samples to the museum and handed them over personally. These pegmatites also recently featured in the recent Perth Gem and Mineral Show. WA Museum curator of minerals Peter Downes expressed gratitude for the donation. “On behalf of the trustees of the Western Australian Museum, I would…

Many Australian mining companies take pride in their commitment to corporate and social responsibility. Low impact mining, sustainability, responsible resource extraction, diversity and inclusion are core values rather than buzzwords. Responsibility extends beyond ore extraction and employee welfare. It encompasses total site management and maintenance practices. Historically, low dollar value assets were often treated as consumable products, not critical to production and with limited useable life. Similar attitudes often existed with heavy mining equipment: maintain tonnage output, run it hard, replace the failed component and get the machine back to work. Is it possible to calculate the environmental impacts of this old approach? Premature failure or destruction of light vehicles, heavy mining machines burning excessive amounts of fuel and oil,…

Green Iron SA — a consortium comprised of Magnetite Mines (ASX: MGT), Aurizon Holdings (ASX: AZJ), Flinders Port Holdings and GHD — has been launched to kick-start green iron production and export capability in South Australia. By harnessing the vast untapped potential of the Braemar iron region, Green Iron SA aims to position the state as a global leader in the low-carbon steel supply chain. Magnetite Mines managing director Tim Dobson says the time has arrived for South Australia to take advantage of its massive magnetite endowment. “With 6bt of magnetite resources ready to mine, Magnetite Mines is excited to take this important step toward building a world-class green iron industry in South Australia,” he said. Aurizon Holdings head of…

Arrow Minerals (ASX: AMD) has signed a non-binding MoU with Baosteel to deliver Arrow’s iron ore to steel mill customers. The framework includes provision for all key commercial elements including iron ore pricing, freight, ore haulage, ore handling, ship loading and government royalties related to Arrow’s Simandou North iron project in Guinea. Arrow managing director David Flanagan says this is an important milestone for Arrow, the Simandou North iron project and Guinea. “The delivery of multi-user infrastructure will continue to attract significant global investment which in turn will promote the growth of a world class mining industry,” he said. “That will result in globally competitive operations, substantial local employment and extensive national benefits. “It has taken millions of man-hours, billions…

Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) reports one of the best development years in its history, headlined by the launch of Onslow iron in the Pilbara region of WA. The company has released its 2024 Annual Reporting Suite, including its annual and sustainability report, highlighting the company’s achievements and performance over the past financial year. In addition to the delivery of first ore on ship from Onslow iron in May 2024, MinRes made major moves in WA lithium, with record production at Mt Marion and Wodgina and the completion of the Bald Hill acquisition. The 2024 Sustainability Report outlines MinRes’ commitment to operating responsibly, building a safe and diverse workforce and prioritising sustainability. In an effort to foster safety and wellbeing,…

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has entered into a native title project agreement with the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation (BBAC) for the company’s Bowen Basin, Queensland, operations, including the Broadmeadow, Caval Ridge, Goonyella Riverside Peak Downs and Saraji mines. This is the second native title project agreement BBAC and BHP have negotiated together in Queensland and a first between BMA and BBAC. Under the agreement, BMA will provide financial benefits for priority community projects that create more opportunity for Barada Barna people to live and work on country. The agreement also delivers financial benefits for social-economic purposes and opportunities in the form of contracting, business, employment, education and training. Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation chairperson Nicole Muller comments on the agreement. “This…

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael has announced the successful applicants for Round 30 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) co-funded drilling program. A total of 50 applicants, including six prospectors, will receive grants worth $7.288m for projects to be drilled between December 2024 and November 2025. Seventeen of the successful companies are targeting battery minerals including lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE). Minister Michael says the WA Government aims to position the State as a dynamic global supplier of future battery minerals and materials. “It is pleasing to see exploration expenditure continue to rise in WA, hitting a record $2.6b in 2023, with demand for critical minerals soaring on the back of global decarbonisation initiatives,” he said. “The…

The inaugural gold doré bar has been poured from the bulk sampling program at Mt Malcolm Mines’ (ASX: M2M) Golden Crown prospect in WA. A bulk sampling program at Golden Crown has produced Mt Malcolm’s first gold via gravity processing. Notably, two gold doré bars were poured with a combined weight of 431g. The bulk sampling program forms an integral part of Mt Malcolm’s strategy to evaluate the potential of Golden Grove. So far, excavation has reached a depth of around 9m with efforts continuing to excavate and extract deeper mineralised material. Ongoing sampling is continuing to visually confirm gold mineralisation, with visible gold observed in multiple rock chip samples, particularly within iron oxide alteration zones and quartz veins. Mt…

The NSW Government has released a $250m royalty deferral initiative, the first of the State’s new critical minerals and high-tech metals strategy. Currently, there are 12 critical minerals mining and processing projects NSW that are ready for investment. These projects need around $7.6b in capital investment and are expected to generate around 4600 jobs during construction and 2700 after that. High initial investment costs for critical minerals projects are a challenge and the royalty deferral initiative will assist new projects in the early stages of development, ease financial pressures, attract investment to NSW and enhance the economic viability of the mining sector. NSW hosts significant resource deposits for 21 of the 31 nationally declared critical minerals, with the strategy identifying…