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In a step towards making Australia a renewable energy superpower, the Federal Government has approved a new industrial solar power project in the Northern Territory. SunCable’s Australia-Asia Power Link will be the biggest solar farm in the country and it’s expected to generate up to 6GW of renewable energy, including 4GW to be used in Darwin. The project will enable a green manufacturing sector, produce renewable solar power for Darwin and provide a long-term source of ongoing employment in remote areas. SunCable estimates the project will deliver more than $20b in economic value to the Northern Territory and support around 6800 direct and indirect jobs across the construction phase. Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek commented on the solar…

Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) has reported record cash earnings of $1.8b for FY24, plus revenue of $4.92b. Other highlights include, underlying free cash flow of $462m, underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $2.19b and net profit after tax of $639m. The company recorded a 4% increase from FY23 to FY24 regarding gold sold, with just over 1.62boz sold in the year at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1853/oz. This record cash earnings enabled Northern Star to declare an unfranked final dividend of 25¢, for a FY24 total dividend of 40¢ per share. This is an increase from the FY23 total dividend return of 26.5¢ per share. Northern Star credits these results on the strong…

Four months after acquiring the Blackwater mine, Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) has entered two binding agreements to sell a 30% interest in it for $1.6b (US$1.06b). Nippon Steel Corporation will acquire a 20% interest while JFE Steel Corporation will acquire the other 10% with the transactions expected to be complete in Q1 2025, subject to customary competition and regulatory approvals. Nippon Steel executive vice president and representative director Takashi Hirose commented on the purchase. “Having a secure supply of high-quality coking coal supports us to stabilise profits and build a more resilient Nippon Steel, fully utilising our technological advantages,” he said. JFE Steel executive vice president Hiroyuki Ogawa echoed Mr Hirose’s comments. “As a long-term user of Blackwater’s steelmaking coal,…

BHP (ASX: BHP) has taken another important step on its operational decarbonisation journey with the first electric excavator in its fleet now operational at the Yandi iron ore mine in the Pilbara, WA. Instead of a diesel engine, the R 9400 E Liebherr electric excavator has an electric motor, with power fed to the machine by a trailing cable. Equipped with Liebherr’s autonomous cable reeler for optimal on-site mobility, this innovation boosts productivity and operator safety. WA Iron Ore (WAIO) asset president Tim Day says a reduction in diesel is essential to reduce operational greenhouse gas (GHG) Scope 1 and 2 emissions by at least 30% by FY30 from FY20 levels and achieve net zero operational GHG emissions by CY50.…

The Victoria Government has announced an almost $9m funding package to boost skills in environmental sustainability and the clean economy. The investment will support TAFEs, universities, training providers and industry to establish practical Skills Labs where innovative short courses called Skill Sets can be developed. The funding package announced includes $3.45m to establish three Clean Economy Skills Labs — hosted at TAFE Gippsland and Melbourne Polytechnic — to develop training in offshore wind, circular design, manufacturing and meeting net-zero emissions targets. As part of the package, RMIT will receive $970,000 to co-design three new Skill Sets in sustainable building practices. These Skill Sets are currently being piloted with industry professionals and students. Victoria Skills and TAFE Minister Gayle Tierney says she is…

WA’s regional energy provider Horizon Power has signed its first Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Nyul Nyul people of Beagle Bay in the Kimberley. The agreement, which will support the region’s transition to a clean energy future, allows Horizon Power access to a four-hectare area of land in Beagle Bay for the development of a future energy system that will deliver increased renewable energy for the community. The renewable energy development is in its planning stages and is expected to draw on the region’s significant solar resource. WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby says the WA Government is committed to sharing the benefits of the decarbonisation journey with the community. “We are proud to be working closely with Traditional…

Monadelphous Group (ASX: MND) reports a revenue of $2.03b for FY24, citing continued strong demand for maintenance services and higher levels of activity in the engineering construction sector. This follows Monadelphous’ announcement of $340m in new construction contracts for the iron ore and renewable energy sectors. In total, more than $3b in new contracts and extensions in lithium, iron ore and renewable energy sectors have been secured by Monadelphous in FY24. Within the lithium sector, Monadelphous secured contracts at Talison Lithium’s Greenbushes project, Liontown Resources’ (ASX: LTR) Kathleen Valley lithium project and Albemarle’s Kemerton expansion project all in WA. Monadelphous also experienced strong demand in the WA iron ore sector, securing new contracts and extensions with long-term customers Rio Tinto…

Perenti (ASX: PRN) has delivered another year of strong financial results, headlined by record revenue and underlying earnings and free cash flow of $184m. The acquisition of DDH1 in October was a major highlight for Perenti. Following the acquisition, Perenti created its Drilling Services Division, combining Ausdrill with four DDH1 brands: DDH1 Drilling, Ranger Drilling, Strike Drilling and Swick Drilling. Perenti also drilled down on its safety and sustainability initiatives, reporting a Serious Potential Incident Frequency Rate (SPIFR) of 2.6, down from 2.7 in FY23. Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) was 5.3, down from 5.4 in FY23. The Perenti board now has 57% female representation, with plans in place to increase female participation across all areas, according to Perenti.…

Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) has donated $10,000 to the Goanna Academy as part of its ongoing commitment to community health and wellbeing. The Goanna Academy is Australia’s first accredited and Indigenous-owned mental health education provider. Its aim is to end the stigma around mental health for all Australians, particularly at-risk groups such as regional males, youth and First Nations communities. The donation was used for an event held in Gunnedah, NSW, which focused on mental health awareness and social engagement in the community. Organised by Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service – Aboriginal Corporation, a leading healthcare provider in the Tamworth region, the event bought together 300 young people aged between 6-18 plus community members. Several local organisations, including Whitehaven, Winanga-Li Aboriginal…