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The WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released its environmental scoping document (ESD) for Alcoa’s bauxite mining on the Darling Range in southwest WA for 2022-2026 and 2023-2027. While both mining and management programs (MMP) are referred separately, the EPA is considering them under a single ESD as they relate to Alcoa’s mining operations within the Huntly and Willowdale areas, about 100km southeast of Perth. They also include the production, processing and transport of wet bauxite ore, the abstraction of water, exploration drilling and rehabilitation works. EPA deputy chair Lee McIntosh says a “bespoke approach” to scoping has been necessary due to the complexity of the proposals. “Noting that there is an exemption order (issued under section 6 of the…

Gold Fields will be more than doubling the capacity of the solar farm at its Granny Smith mine in Laverton WA, with completion scheduled early next year. The gold mine’s hybrid system, comprising 8MW on-site solar, a 2MW battery power system and gas plant, generated 7% of its electricity supply from renewables in CY23. Now, in a continuous bid to reduce the mine site’s energy costs and carbon intensity, Gold Fields will expand solar capacity at Granny Smith to a total of 19MW, an increase of 11MW, enabling 21% of the mine’s energy requirements to be generated by renewable resources. Granny Smith general manager Mark Glazebrook comments on this. “The expanded hybrid power station not only makes our operation more…

An independent review into the statutory framework for small-scale title for opal mining has issued its final report, with 81 recommendations to enhance and support the sustainability and efficacy of the industry. NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos commissioned the review following a departmental review of administrative processes which uncovered 3343 minerals claims in Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs were impacted by invalid decisions. The review was undertaken by former Land and Environment Court Judge and NSW Attorney General Terry Sheahan with support of law firm Norton Rose Fulbright Australia. The final report covers a range of topics, including: Balancing stakeholder rights and responsibilities Improving rehabilitation and environmental outcomes Updating cost and compensation structure Improving understanding and usability of the…

Whitehaven Coal’s (ASX: WHC) annual Community Open Day gave about 1500 residents from across the Boggabri, NSW, region a behind the scenes look at their local mining industry.  Whitehaven Coal’s managing director and chief executive Paul Flynn attended the event and said it was a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to residents, local businesses and the broader community who continue to support Whitehaven and its operations in the region.  “Our Community Open Day is one of the most important days on our calendar and I know it’s one that our people and members of the community look forward to every year,” he said.  “It’s an opportunity for Whitehaven to bring everyone together for a fun family day out while…

Alcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) will provide a grant of $250,000 to the Clontarf Foundation’s Coodanup Academy to help young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men complete Year 12 and enter employment.  Alcoa WA mines manager Darrin Strange says the partnership with Coodanup Academy is an important step in the company’s mission to further strengthen relationships and enhance respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  “We are very proud to work closely with the Clontarf Foundation and to announce our three-year partnership to support the boys here at the Coodanup Academy,” he said.  “We are committed to sharing value with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by improving employment outcomes and this exciting partnership with the Clontarf Foundation’s Coodanup Academy…

Tartana Minerals (ASX: TAT) has shipped 150t of copper sulphate pentahydrate to one of the largest mining operations in the Northern Territory. The product came from Tartana’s namesake project which is located 150km west of Cairns in Queensland. The project contains a heap leach solvent extraction crystallisation plant which produced copper sulphate pentahydrate for 10 years before being placed in care and maintenance in 2014 with refurbishment works beginning in 2023. Depending on the specifications of the product, copper sulphate pentahydrate is sold to both mining operations and the stockfeed industry. The bright blue crystal is used as a fungicide, algaecide, root killer and herbicide in both agriculture and non-agriculture settings. Tartana managing director Stephen Bartrop commented on the shipment.…

The South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) has welcomed BHP’s proposed staged expansion of its Olympic Dam smelter and refinery, which has the potential to double the State’s copper production by the mid-2030s to 650,000t. One of only two copper smelters in Australia, the other being Mount Isa in Queensland, this expansion will see the current Olympic Dam copper smelter upgraded to a two-stage smelter, with its refining capacity also expanded. Last week, a notification in the South Australian Government Gazette announced that the State Government had commenced the application and assessment process. SACOME chief executive Rebecca Knol says this strategy supports the State Prosperity Project, which is South Australian Government’s roadmap for growing its renewable energy, critical…

Komatsu is continuing to provide jobs for people with a disability through the renewal of its partnership with Endeavour Foundation. The partnership between the two companies will provide employment opportunities within Komatsu’s Oil Wear Analysis (KOWA) area. Supported employees in the program clean the 100% recycled plastic containers so they can be reused up to six times. Komatsu executive general manager Russell Hodson says the company is excited to continue its partnership with Endeavour for a further three years. “We’ve been able to not only offer meaningful employment to a number of people, but with more than 30% of Komatsu’s plastic packaging waste generated through our KOWA bottles, this program and partnership also means we can significantly reduce the volume…

The South Australian Government has announced the start of an application and assessment process for BHP’s (ASX: BHP) planned smelter and refinery expansion at Olympic Dam. This marks a step forward for BHP’s copper growth plans in South Australia and follows the company’s FY24 results which outlined a phased strategy to increase production in South Australia to 500kt of refined copper cathode by the early 2030s. BHP asset president copper South Australia Anna Wiley commented on the news. “Today’s announcement is an important step for BHP and the South Australian Government as we work together towards our shared ambition to significantly increase copper production in this state,” she said. “We are already growing BHP’s copper production in South Australia with…

Glencore will provide a $40m senior loan facility to Cyprium Metals (ASX: CYM) to execute the copper cathode and concentrate offtake agreements. This new loan completes the refinancing of Cyprium’s near-term maturities. With refinancing completed, the company will now focus on bringing copper products to market. Cyprium executive chair Matt Fifield says the company’s commercial strategic partnership with Glencore continues to gain momentum. “First, our offtake agreements for copper products are in final form,” he said. “We expect to execute them alongside the loan facility in the coming weeks. “Next, we’ve been working with Glencore to streamline our access to their downstream processing facilities — the Townsville copper refinery and the Mt Isa smelter . “We have already executed…