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Whitehaven Coal Community Open Day Around 1200 Queensland residents and families turned out to Blackwater’s May Day fairgrounds for Whitehaven Coal’s Community Open Day. The event brought together people from as far as Emerald and Rockhampton to enjoy an exciting day of free activities, kid’s rides, market stalls and entertainment, as well as information stands for the community to learn more about the coal mining industry. Whitehaven Coal’s chief operating officer Ian Humphris says it was a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to residents, local businesses and the broader community who have supported the company...

WA & NT announce faster approvals The WA Government has launched the new Resources Online platform to streamline mining and petroleum environmental lodgements. The portal forms part of the State Government’s Fast Tracking Mining Approvals (FTMA) program to help shorten approval timeframes for some smaller and low-risk projects. Administered by the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), Resources Online will replace the current Environmental Assessment and Regulatory System (EARS). Further initiatives will be introduced in 2025 with the first phase focusing on migrating Programmes of Work (PoW) from EARS to Resources Online. WA Mines and Petroleum David Michael comments on this....

Fortescue-XCMG’s $616m contract for zero emissions mining equipment Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has struck a $616m (US$400m) deal with Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer XCMG to purchase over 100 pieces of zero emissions heavy mobile equipment. This is XCMG’s largest contract outside of China for mining equipment and will see battery electric wheel loaders, wheel dozers, water carts, float prime movers and graders delivered to Fortescue’s Pilbara mining operations in WA by 2030. First pieces of equipment are expected to be deployed from 2026 with Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto commenting on this. “We’re...

Newmont to sell Éléonore for $1.2b cash Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) will sell its Éléonore operation in Northern Quebec, Canada, to UK-based private mining company Dhilmar Ltd for $1.2b (US$795m) in cash consideration as part of the global miner’s continued divestiture program. The transaction is expected to close in the Q1 CY25, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. Upon closing the announced transactions, Newmont will have delivered up to $3.6b in gross proceeds from non-core asset divestitures and investment sales. Newmont president...

Albermarle supports lithium product carbon footprint guidance The International Lithium Association (ILiA) has published a guide on product carbon footprint (PCF) assessment, with support from global miner Albermarle. Growth in production and demands from regulators and customers for information on greenhouse gas emissions has meant the release of this information is timely for the industry. The publication covers assessments for key lithium intermediaries and battery-grade lithium carbonate and hydroxide specialty chemicals produced from brine or rock minerals in a standardised way. Albermarle...

Australian aluminium organisations integrate for bigger voice The Australian Aluminium Council (AAC) will integrate with the Australian Aluminium Extrusion Association (AAEA) in a move that will bring about a united voice for the Australian aluminium industry. The AAEA will join in the AAC’s membership and organisational structure with the Council’s chief executive Marghanita Johnson commenting on this. “The Council represents the industry from mine to market – and now with an even stronger focus on the downstream aluminium manufacturing sector in Australia,” she said. “With a cohesive representation, the Council will continue its direct engagement with the Government and platforms like the International Trade Remedies...

Spartan set up for underground mining Spartan Resources (ASX: SPR) has taken an important step towards the re-start of its Dalgaranga gold project (DGP) in WA following the receipt of all key regulatory approvals required to allow the mining and processing of underground ores to proceed. Approvals have been received from both the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) and the WA Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER) for the mining and processing of underground ores at the DGP along with modifications to the mill. Full approvals have...

Anglo American sells steelmaking coal portfolio Anglo American has agreed to sell its portfolio of Australian steelmaking coal mines that it operates in Australia to Peabody Energy for a cash consideration of up to $5.8b (US$3.775b). This will generate up to $7.5b (US$4.9b) in aggregate gross cash proceeds, including the already announced sale of Anglo American’s interest in Jellinbah for approximately $1.7b (US$1.1b)....

Tax incentives one piece of the puzzle The Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) welcomes the introduction to Parliament of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia Bill, which provides substantial incentives for critical minerals processing and hydrogen production. CME chief executive officer Rebecca Tomkinson says timely passage of the legislation would implement two key budget announcements from earlier this year aimed at capturing more investment to support strategic industries. “Australia’s resources, including our critical minerals, have a key role to play in the energy transition,”...

NSW grants for groundbreaking electrification projects A share of more than $1m in grants are up for grabs in NSW for groundbreaking projects that are focused on reducing carbon emissions through electrification. The Electrification and Energy Systems Network Seed Grant Scheme provides funding as part of the NSW Government’s Decarbonisation Innovation Hub. The Hub supports researchers, industry and government stakeholders in critical sectors to increase the uptake of new technologies in decarbonising the State. NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe says the projects must translate research-based technologies into real-life solutions for current and future energy challenges. “Electrification of our energy system is essential...

WA’s first CCUS action plan, $26m to 2 projects The WA Government has released the State’s first Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Action Plan and will fund two CCUS projects to the tune of $26m. WA has CCUS projects proposed for development over the next 10 years, with an initial combined capacity to store over 20mtpa of carbon dioxide – or about a quarter of WA’s Scope 1 emissions. A total of $15m will go towards AGIG to develop an onshore transmission pipeline for an offshore multi-user CCS hub in...