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Recycling e-waste could meet a significant portion of global metal demand, supplying up to 10% of copper and 57% of palladium, while reducing reliance on mining and mitigating supply chain risks from unstable regions.

Successful recovery of tin and palladium from electronic waste

MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) has achieved successful results extracting metals from electronic waste (e-waste) using Flash Joule Heating (FJH). This expands the list of recoverable metals to gold, silver, copper, tin and palladium, confirming the versatility of FJH in efficiently extracting multiple metals from e-waste. This was achieved without the use of toxic acids, recovering approximately 86% of the tin and 82% of palladium content from printed circuit boards (PCBs), a common component of e-waste. These advancements greatly enhance the commercial potential of FJH as an environmentally friendly solution for recycling metals from discarded electronics. The recovered metals are among the most valuable components in e-waste, substantially increasing the economic potential of recycling it through FJH technology. MTM chief…

(Image source: Scania) Regroup managing director Michael Still and Scania chief executive Christian Levin signing the agreement.

Scania’s autonomous trucks make global debut

Scania and Regroup will launch the world’s first fleet of autonomous in-pit mining trucks at the Butcherbird mine in WA’s Pilbara. The fleet of 11 autonomous rigid G 560 8×4 tippers – which will transport manganese ore and waste material – is targeting commencement of operations in 2025. Compared to a traditional mining fleet, these vehicles are expected to deliver improved productivity, reduce carbon intensity through improved fuel efficiency, enhance safety and lower costs. Scania Australia managing director Manfred Streit commented on the milestone. “Scania in Australia has been working closely with several partners in the local mining industry over recent years to finesse our autonomous truck program in advance of this announcement,” he said. “We are delighted that this…

Rio Tinto’s intention to expand its lithium portfolio is apt, as double-digit growth in lithium demand is forecast over the next decade, according to the company.

Rio Tinto eyes Arcadium Lithium acquisition

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has approached Arcadium Lithium (ASX: LTM) for a potential acquisition of the leading global lithium chemicals producer. The approach is non-binding and there is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed to or will proceed. Arcadium Lithium’s ASX shares jumped 44% on Monday, following the announcement. The lithium producer remains focused on executing its strategic vision and pathway to significant growth, as set forth in its recent Investor Day presentation in September 2024. In the presentation, Arcadium Lithium president and chief executive officer Paul Graves said the company had a clear and compelling plan to deliver significant growth over the coming years, leveraging the size and quality of its portfolio of assets and expansion projects.…

(Image source: UNSW) Food waste costs the Australian economy around $36.6b each year and accounts for about 3% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to UNSW.

Next-gen batteries using food-based acids hit sustainability sweet spot

A novel battery component that uses food-based acids found in sherbet and winemaking could make lithium-ion batteries more efficient, affordable and sustainable, according to new research out of UNSW. A prototype, developed and patented by UNSW chemists, reduces environmental impacts across its materials and processing inputs while increasing energy storage capability. UNSW Science lead researcher Professor Neeraj Sharma says the research team is optimising a single-layer pouch cell, similar to what you’d use in a mobile phone, only smaller. “We’ve developed an electrode that can significantly increase the energy storage capability of lithium-ion batteries by replacing graphite with compounds derived from food acids, such as tartaric acid and malic acid [found in some fruits…

The funding will be used for a feasibility study in the Bowen Basin.

QRC funding supports net zero future

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed funding under the State Government’s Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF) to examine the use of former mine sites for renewable energy products. QRC chief executive Janette Hewson says the funding will be used for a feasibility study to determine how wind and solar can be used on mined land in the Bowen Basin. “Queensland’s resources sector has an international reputation as a world leader in post-mining land use and this project will build on this to understand social and community benefits from alternative land uses,” she said. “$500,000 provided through the REFF along with a $50,000 contribution by the QRC will fund a feasibility study to evaluate the potential of renewable energy projects…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) A drone taking flight within the study area.

Bravus Mining and Resources takes groundwater monitoring to new heights at the Carmichael mine

Bravus Mining and Resources’ high-tech approach to groundwater research near the Carmichael mine in central Queensland has earned national recognition in a prestigious industry award. The regional Queensland business has been named a finalist in the Excellence in Environmental Management and Sustainability category at the 2024 Australian Mining Prospect Awards for applying military-grade drone technology to discover and protect previously unknown groundwater springs. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the company has partnered with Eco Logical Australia to add multispectral and thermal imaging to its comprehensive scientific programs that help to safeguard the health of the Great Artesian Basin-fed Doongmabulla springs. “Carmichael has some of the strictest environmental conditions of any resources project in Australia’s history,”…

Komatsu says that while the company is global, its heart remains in the local regions it serves.

Komatsu Australia named Finalist in the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards

Komatsu Australia has been named as a finalist for the ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award 2024 as part of the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards. This award highlights businesses that have made strategic investments in Brisbane, Queensland, contributing to the city’s future growth and development. The nomination reflects Komatsu Australia’s strong and ongoing commitment to the Brisbane region, which has been an integral part of its story since 1978. Komatsu says its continued investment reinforces its belief in Brisbane as a key hub for economic activity and customer support on Australia’s east coast. “Through our state-of-the-art Komatsu Innovation Hub and Distribution Centre, we have invested not only in innovative technologies and solutions for the mining and construction industries, but also in…

South32 (ASX: S32) owns 86% of Worsley Alumina, an integrated bauxite mining and alumina refining operation in the southwest of WA.

Current risks to Australia’s $18b per year aluminium industry

Australia’s aluminium industry is calling for competitive energy and designated critical minerals status to access global capital and overcome excessive red tape. The closure of a single bauxite mine in WA that employs 600 people can lead to the loss of 10,000 indirect jobs and a $2.7b reduction to GDP, according to latest modelling by the Australian Aluminium Council (AAC). In the Council’s report, Economic Contribution of the Vertically Integrated Australian Aluminium Industry, research has found that the nation’s vertically-integrated aluminium industry contributes $18b a year to the nation’s economy but is especially vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. AAC chief executive Marghanita Johnson says this calls for an urgent response from government. “Australia is one of the very few countries…

(Image source: Jamie Kidston/ANU) ANU research fellow Michael Anenburg.

Extinct volcanoes a ‘rich’ source of rare earth elements

Iron-rich magma entombed inside extinct volcanoes is likely abundant with rare earth elements, offering a new way to source these in-demand metals, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Rare earth elements are vital to the development of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines. They are also found in smartphones, flat screen TVs, magnets and even trains and missiles. With more countries investing heavily in renewable energy technologies, the demand for rare earth elements continues to skyrocket, with demand for these elements expected to?increase fivefold by 2030, according to ANU. ANU research fellow Michael Anenburg?says the iron-rich magma that solidified to form some extinct volcanoes…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) Members of the E2M research team downloading data from one of the 10 bioacoustics recorders installed on the Carmichael mining lease and conservation area.

Queensland research maps movements and behaviours of black-throated finch

Queensland researchers have mapped the habitat and movements of the black-throated finch in a never-before-seen level of detail, as part of Bravus Mining and Resources commitment to managing the environment. The findings are the latest from a five-year joint research program between Bravus Mining and Resources and researchers from ecology consultancy E2M and have been published in the peer-reviewed and highly respected international scientific journal PLOS One. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the research is building a profile of the black-throated finch to guide best practice conservation techniques. “The Carmichael mine has created jobs and opportunities for regional Queensland in a responsible way during both the planning and mining phases,” he said. “Our research has…

(Image Source: Rio Tinto — Photo: Argyle Diamonds Pty) The 2024 Rio Tinto Argyle Tender Art Series Collection.

Rio Tinto diamonds shine bright at art collection premiere

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has launched its 2024 Beyond Rare™ Tender, the second in its Art Series offering, showcasing 48 lots of extraordinarily rare masterpieces of nature from its diamonds business. Titled Colour Awakened, this collection is headlined by seven “Old Masters”, notable historic diamonds from Rio Tinto’s WA Argyle diamond mine that operated from 1983 to 2020. The Old Masters comprise seven round brilliant cut, pink and red diamonds, ranging in size from 0.60ct to 2.6ct. Speaking at the London launch, Rio Tinto Minerals chief executive Sinead Kaufman says no other mining company in the world has custody of such a kaleidoscope of coloured diamonds. “Four years on from the closure of the Argyle mine, our Beyond Rare Tender…