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Northern Star to acquire De Grey Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) will acquire 100% of De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) and its flagship WA project, Hemi, under a binding scheme implementation deed. The Hemi project is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction globally, with mineral resources of 11.2moz and ore reserves of 6moz and forecast annual gold production of 530kozpa over its first 10 years. The combined Northern Star Group will operate across two Tier-1 jurisdictions and four production centres, with proforma...

Pilbara Minerals-POSCO complete Korean lithium facility construction Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) and POSCO Holdings celebrated the completion of their joint chemical facility in Gwangyang, Korea, last Friday, making this the country’s first lithium hydroxide plant and one of the few lithium chemical producers outside China. The ceremony, attended by Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and POSCO Group Chairman, Chang In-Hwa, marked the conclusion of construction of Train 2 of the lithium hydroxide monohydrate chemical facility, which comprises Train 1 and Train 2. The facility has the potential to produce up to 43,000tpa of lithium hydroxide at full capacity, enough to make batteries for around one million electric vehicles, with...

QRC education arms delivers record programs The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) has delivered a record number of workshops, programs and camps to school students across the State in 2024. At a total of 233 for the year, the QMEA continues to inspire students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) and trades. QME is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). The Council’s chief executive Janette Hewson says the QMEA has succeeded in creating opportunities for students to discover more about resources in Queensland and potential careers available in the sector. “This year over 6,200 students have participated in QMEA programs or workshops –...

EDO to pay Santos $9m for halting $5.8b project The Federal Court has ordered the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to pay Santos (ASX: STO) more than $9m after it attempted to block the $5.8b Barossa gas project in the Timor Sea in the Northern Territory. The EDO acted as the lawyers for three Tiwi Islanders in the proceedings to stop Santos from installing a 262km underwater gas export pipeline that runs from the Barossa gas field to the existing Bayu-Undan pipeline, citing interference with cultural songlines of the rainbow serpent and the “Crocodile Man”. Two weeks earlier, Regis Resources (ASX: RRL) commenced legal proceedings to overturn the...

Liontown supports FIFO worker wellbeing Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) is partnering with Edith Cowan University’s Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Centre on an important research project aimed at enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers. Liontown work health and safety manager Hayden Spencer attended the research showcase alongside government representatives, prominent researchers, industry peers and the academic community to discuss the company’s participation in the initiative. Supported by the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) and conducted between March and April 2024, the study explored how team belongingness can influence the wellbeing of workers...

Metso launches next generation technology Metso is launching the Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster, encompassing all the features developed and implemented in recent roaster projects executed globally. The Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster is a reactor with improved individual components and digital tools to enable more efficient and stable roasting plant performance. Metso fluid bed technology director Jörg Hammerschmidt says the company is excited to launch the product. “It is a logical progression in this digital age, combining advanced roaster...

BlueScope low-carbon steel with CSIRO electrolyser CSIRO has successfully trialled its innovative hydrogen production technology at BlueScope’s Port Kembla Steelworks in NSW, proving that affordable and renewable hydrogen can be generated at scale to help decarbonise heavy industry. The trial commenced in October 2024 and features the national science agency’s tubular solid electrolysis (SOE) technology, which has clocked 1000 hours of successful operation turning both waste heat and electricity into hydrogen – with much greater efficiency than traditional methods. Conventional hydrogen electrolysers rely heavily...

CME & King support WA Gov lithium move Industry leaders have come out in support of the WA Government’s relief package for the State’s lithium producers. This comes as the Federal Government introduced a bill this week to provide up to $17b in production tax incentives for the critical minerals and rare earths industry as part of its Future Made in Australia agenda. Both the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME WA) and Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King welcomed the announcement, with the peak body’s chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson saying lithium prices...

MinRes introduces new decarbonisation fund Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) has introduced a new decarbonisation fund to support the company’s interim emissions reduction target and long-term ambition of net zero by 2050. Since July 1, 2024, all projects under MinRes’ operational control — including operational sites, exploration sites, warehouses and corporate offices — are charged for every tonne of emissions they produce. Funds generated from the initiative will be invested in MinRes decarbonisation initiatives spanning power generation and material movement, such as electrification and automation of mining, haulage and transport systems. The fund also supports the purchase of Australian Carbon Credit...

South32 creating safe spaces South32 (ASX: S32) is continuing its partnership with the Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence (PGCNV), a WA organisation dedicated to supporting women and children affected by domestic and family violence. Research by UN Women has found that almost one in three women experience violence in their lifetime — and in 2023 a woman was killed by partners or family members every 10 minutes. South32 chief legal and external affairs officer Kelly O’Rourke says the crisis of gender-based violence is urgent. “There is no excuse for violence against women and...

WA Government to protect lithium jobs The WA Government is acting to provide assistance to its critical lithium industry, supporting thousands of local jobs and the State's push to become a global battery minerals processing hub. WA's lithium industry has grown rapidly in recent years to be the biggest hard rock industry of its type in the world, supplying approximately 50% of the world's lithium. However, the industry has experienced a sudden and unexpected...