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Chalice Mining’s (ASX: CHN) Gonneville project in WA has been awarded Strategic Project status from the WA Government under WA’s Lead Agency Framework. The Lead Agency Framework was designed to focus the efforts of the government towards projects that need to procced first to deliver on the State’s decarbonisation and economic diversification agenda. Environmental approvals for Gonneville will be subject to assessment through the new Green Energy Assessment Unit. A dedicated team within the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has been tasked with supporting the Environmental Protection Authority to facilitate the streamlined assessment of green energy projects such as Gonneville. The Green Energy Major Projects Group, which is part of the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and…

Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) has partnered with VIVA Energy (ASX: VEA) to contribute to the Walhallow community infrastructure project, continuing the company’s commitment to supporting local communities and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. Whitehaven donated $20,000, and Viva Energy added a further $10,000, boosting the efforts of the Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) to upgrade critical infrastructure within the community. These donations are in conjunction with a grant from the NSW Government’s Growing Regions Program. The infrastructure upgrades will include improvements to existing buildings, such as the health centre and community hall and the development of a new cultural centre. This centre will be the hub of Liverpool Plains culture and history, not only for the local…

True North Copper (ASX: TNC) has marked a significant milestone at its Cloncurry copper project (CCP) in Queensland with the first oxide ore delivered from the Wallace North deposit. Last week, True North began transportation of the ore from Wallace North to the Great Australian Mine (GAM) crushing facility with irrigation of the ore to begin in October. True North managing director Bevan Jones commented on the milestone. “Our team at Wallace North has continued to advance mining activities on schedule with the current CCP mine plan,” he said. “TNC’s progress towards becoming Australia’s next copper producer has taken significant steps forward since our previous Wallace North update, with 6000t of oxide ore having now been mined and transportation of…

The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) has identified 107 new projects, worth about $131b and creating almost 27,000 jobs over the next five years. WA alone accounts for 48 new projects, or 44% of the investment pipeline, requiring at least 11,000 new workers by the end of 2029. AREEA’s new report, Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2024-2029, breaks down the estimated labour required to operate new, expansion and restarted mining and oil and gas projects, based on modelling of the Federal Department of Industry project data. AREEA chief executive Steve Knott AM comments on this. “Iron ore, coal and gas saw Australia’s export earnings reach a record $466b in the year to June 2023,” he said. “The industry…

Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) have released the first report exploring the feasibility of collaboration on hydrogen and green metals. As part of the Federal Government’s Green Metals for Sustainable Steel from Australia and Germany (SuSteelAG) initiative, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) are exploring the potential of creating a sustainable green iron and steel value chain between the two countries. Australia and Germany are strengthening opportunities for collaboration in green hydrogen and green metals, helping Australia build a ‘Future Made in Australia’ and become a renewable energy superpower. UNSW Sydney is leading the SuSteelAG initiative, with the first…

Art enthusiasts from WA and beyond are invited to experience the stories and culture of Pilbara Aboriginal artists at the annual Colours of our Country exhibition. Now in its 19th year, the exhibition will be held at the Central Park building in Perth, from Monday, September 16, to Friday, September 27. It will showcase a vibrant collection of 160 unique Aboriginal artworks from 43 artists. This year’s line-up features independent artists and art centres across the Pilbara, including the Yinjaa-Barni Art Centre, Cheeditha Art Group and Juluwarlu Art Group. Since the exhibition launched in 2006, more than 2,987 artworks have been sold, generating almost $3.3m for local artists, their art groups and communities. Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) Iron Ore chief…

Australian Vanadium (ASX: AVL) has completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) of a vanadium flow battery (VFB) to be deployed at a Horizon Power site in Kununurra, WA. The 220kWh VFB, which can deliver up to 78kW of power, was purchased by Horizon Power for a long duration energy storage project. The battery contains vanadium electrolyte manufactured by AVL at its electrolyte manufacturing facility in Perth and this marks the first instance of AVL’s vanadium electrolyte being used in an operation VFB. AVL chief executive Graham Arvidson says this is a significant milestone for the company. “We are pleased to report that the VFB purchased by Horizon Power has now completed the FAT process and is operating successfully,” he said. “This…

Westgold (ASX: WGX) has increased its FY25 production guidance as its WA mines Beta Hunt, Bluebird – South Junction and Great Fingall begin to deliver increased outputs. FY25 guidance is 400,000-420,000oz, a substantial increase from its 220,000-235,000oz FY24 guidance. The company is gearing up for a peak investment year, as Southern Goldfields assets are integrated and optimised, the Murchison operating assets are expanded and Great Fingall commences production. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell says FY25 sees a substantial step change in the scale of operation for Westgold. “Integrating and optimising the Southern Goldfields assets will be the focus in H1, FY25 with Beta Hunt beginning to deliver increased output in H2,” he said. “Murchison production lifts in…

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) will be selling its 25.1% interest in the Ma’aden joint venture (JV) to Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden for $1.1b. The transaction comprises around 86m Ma’aden shares (valued at $950m) and $150m cash. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Alcoa will hold its Ma’aden shares for a minimum of three years, with one-third of the shares becoming transferable after the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of closing the transaction. Created in 2009, the JV comprises two entities, the Ma’aden Bauxite (MBAC, the bauxite mine and alumina refinery) and Alumina Company and the Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC, the aluminium smelter and casthouse). Alcoa president and chief executive Willian Oplinger commented on the sale. “We deeply value our…

Metso has launched the newest member of its MHC hydrocyclones product family, the MHC curved bottom (CB). The MHC CB is suited for lithium, gold, aggregates, nickel, magnetite, hematite, limestone, aluminium, zinc, molybdenum, silica and more. The new hydrocyclone is designed for superior particle separation with increased unit capacity and coarser cut sizes while minimising the fines bypass. Metso hydrocyclones product group manager Ben Klein says the design of the MHC CB is based on the proven MHC hydrocyclone but upgraded with new innovative features, making it a true breakthrough technology for the classification process. “Thanks to this unique patented design, the new hydrocyclone offers higher unit capacity compared to standard hydrocyclone technologies,” he said. “The MHC CB is also…

IGO (ASX: IGO) will focus heavily on its lithium business, embracing expected volatility in the market as demand and supply imbalances play out. Presenting at the company’s 2024 Strategy Day, IGO managing director and chief executive Ivan Vella says the global energy transition is happening, with electrification at its core. “To drive the transition, the world is going to need to discover and deliver a lot more battery materials,” he said. “This is where IGO has a significant role to play. “Under our new strategy, IGO will focus on upstream mining, where we can leverage our existing skills and capabilities to generate the most value through the cycle. “We intend to build out a diversified portfolio with exploration, development and…