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(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 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...

(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 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...

(Image source: Rio Tinto) Operating since 1982, Boyne Smelters is Australia’s second largest aluminium smelter.

Rio Tinto acquires Mitsubishi’s 11.65% stake in the Boyne aluminium smelter

Rio Tinto acquires Mitsubishi’s 11.65% stake in the Boyne aluminium smelter Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has completed its acquisition of Mitsubishi Corporation’s 11.65% interest in Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL). BSL owns and operates the Boyne Island aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Queensland. The operation includes manufacturing carbon anodes, aluminium production via smelting and casting of molten metal into aluminium products ready to ship. Following completion of the transaction, Rio Tinto’s interest in BSL is now 71.04%. Rio Tinto looks forward to continuing to work with its BSL joint venture partners and other stakeholders on securing a competitive low-carbon future for its Gladstone...

The Energy Innovation Fund has invested $38.2m across four projects under Round 2, which will create up to 200 construction jobs, 20 ongoing jobs and unlock more than $160m of commercial investment, according to the Victoria Government.

Terang big battery to boost jobs and strengthen the grid

Terang big battery to boost jobs and strengthen the grid Victoria Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio visited the site of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures’ Terang Battery Energy Storage System, essential to storing Victoria’s renewable energy. The project includes a 100MWh/200MWh battery and grid forming inverter, which was made possible through a $7m investment as part of Round 2 of the Energy Innovation Fund. The project will include 38 inverters and 48 battery containers and create up to 150 jobs...

The facility is part of the $140m Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, co-funded by the WA and Federal Governments.

Pilbara Clean Energy Training and Research Institute progresses to design

Pilbara Clean Energy Training and Research Institute progresses to design Aurecon Australasia will design the Clean Energy Training and Research Institute (CETRI) under the WA Government’s $140m push to establish the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub. The $22m facility will be a multi-user training hub and research institute that incorporates different training providers and research site locations across industry and tertiary and vocational training settings. The design process will occur over the next eight months, during which extensive consultations will occur with key stakeholders. This will include industry, the training and research sector and community groups, including Aboriginal organisations in the...

Lumsden Point will facilitate the export of battery metals, the import of renewable energy infrastructure and support the growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara.

Dredging work begins at Lumsden Point

Dredging work begins at Lumsden Point Dredging has begun at Lumsden Point in the Port of Port Hedland, with around 1m cubic metres of material to be removed over the next eight weeks. The dredging will create a deeper access channel, swing basin and berth pockets to ensure the safe and efficient berthing of vessels at the new Lumsden Point facility. Earlier this year, Jan De Nul was awarded the contract for this work, with extensive preparatory works already completed and the JFJ De Nul cutter suction dredge arriving in Port...

Applications for the 2024 Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Scholarships are assessed against key priorities that include sustainable post-mining land uses and addressing long-term water management.

Scholarships for Queensland coal mine rehabilitation research

Scholarships for Queensland coal mine rehabilitation research The Coal Minesite Rehabilitation Trust is offering more than $200,000 in post-graduate scholarships to students at any Queensland university. Two scholarships are up for grabs and offer $40,000 a year over three years to students doing their post-graduate studies in world-leading environmental management. The Trust was established in 2007 by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Queensland Government and industry representatives. QRC chief executive Janette Hewson says the scholarships are a practical way to continue Queensland’s leading expertise in mined land rehabilitation. “Queensland has an international...

The REQ predicts export earnings will start to rebound over the next two years.

Resources and energy export earnings ease due to slower world growth

Resources and energy export earnings ease due to slower world growth Following the $455b export high in FY23, earnings from Australia’s resources and energy sectors are set to normalise, according to the September 2024 Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ). Released by the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the REQ forecasts export earnings to ease to $372b in FY25, down from $415b recorded in FY24, as a result of weaker global prices, slower world growth and increased supply of key commodities. Iron ore prices fell to a two year low to below $144/t (US$100/t) due to weakness in global steel demand...

(Image source: WesTrac) Pictured are WesTrac people and culture general manager Kylie Newton and WesTrac learning and development head Jeremy Manuel.

WesTrac awarded Large Employer of the Year

WesTrac awarded Large Employer of the Year WesTrac has been recognised for its industry-leading training and educational services, receiving the 2024 Large Employer of the Year award at the WA Training Awards. This award acknowledges excellence and high-level performance by large, registered organisations in vocational education and training. WesTrac (WA) has delivered more than 6,000 training sessions to its employees and more than 1,800 to external customers. Additionally, the company currently trains 180 metro and regional WesTrac apprentices and a further 200 customer apprentices. Students and apprentices attend the organisation’s purpose-built training facilities, including the...

Wyloo chief executive Luca Giacovazzi says the collaboration will set a new global standard for sustainably produced nickel products and enable greater transparency of low carbon nickel pricing.

Wyloo-Metalshub MoU on nickel pricing

Wyloo-Metalshub MoU on nickel pricing Wyloo and Metalshub have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the carbon footprint, ESG (environmental, social and governance) credentials, pricing and provenance in international nickel markets. The mining industry has been grappling with the downward pressure on nickel prices and mine closures from a flood of cheap nickel, mined in low-cost Indonesian operations, coming on to the global scene. Wyloo intends to use Metalshub for the sale of its low-carbon nickel and nickel concentrate products following a restart of its Kambalda...

Located about 160kms south-east of Newman, WA, the assets were previously part of the Beyondie potash project constructed between 2020-2022 by Kalium Lakes (ASX: KLL).

Reward Minerals to acquire Beyondie potash plant

Reward Minerals to acquire Beyondie potash plant Reward Minerals (ASX: RWD) has entered a $2.13m binding asset sale agreement with Kalium Lakes (ASX: KLL) for the Beyondie potash plant. This follows Reward’s previous purchase attempt for the plant in early 2024, with the company terminating the transaction, citing insufficient funds. Kalium’s operations at the plant ceased in September 2023, with the site transitioning to care and maintenance ahead of the sale. Reward will manage care and maintenance activities at the site until it is able to relocate the plant. Reward will...