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ESG, safety & diversity tops Komatsu goals Komatsu Australia’s second annual industry supplier forum addressed ESG, safety and generational diversity across the equipment business’ supply chain. Insights on the chain of responsibility with freight and logistics, as well as ongoing vigilance to ensure roads are safe when transporting heavy equipment, were “hotly discussed” at the forum, according to company in a recent statement. Komatsu Australia EGM for supply chain Russell Hodson comments on this. “Particularly of interest was how we all...

Rio takes full control of Jabiluka Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) announced its compulsory acquisition of all remaining Energy Resources Australia (ERA) (ASX: ERA) shares that it does not currently own. This follows a ruling by the Takeovers Panel that Rio would assume control over rehabilitation activities at Jabiluka. As a result of Rio Tinto taking up its pro rata entitlements in the entitlement offer and the level of participation by other ERA shareholders, Rio Tinto will hold over 98% of ERA’s shares. Rio intends to proceed with the compulsory acquisition at $0.002 per ERA share, being the same...

Rio’s culture of ‘everyday respect’ Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has published the findings of an independent, external progress review on its work to deliver sustained workplace cultural change across its global operations. Two years into a long-term cultural change program, the review found that progress is being made with promising signs of improved culture, innovation and performance. The progress review was conducted by former Australian sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who undertook the Everyday Respect review of workplace culture that Rio Tinto publicly released in 2022. It found that Rio Tinto's response to the Everyday Respect Report is gaining momentum...

WA EPA prioritises critical minerals The WA Government has provided the independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with its first ever Statement of Expectation to help drive new housing and clean energy projects across the State. The document — created as part of recently legislated changes to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 — was a key recommendation of the Vogel-McFerran Review and is intended to help the WA EPA better understand the WA Government's priorities. The statement highlights several strategic priorities, which...

Gina Rinehart turns first soil for McPhee mine A momentous milestone took place last week with the turning of first soil for Atlas Iron’s McPhee Creek iron ore mine, about 100km north of the Roy Hill mine in WA’s northeast Pilbara region. After multiple environmental and regulatory delays, the Federal Government finally gave the green light in September this year for the mine to proceed, with first ore expected in FY26 at an expected production rate of 10mtpa. Hancock Prospecting executive chairman Gina Rinehart, Hanroy chief executive Sanjiv Manchanda and staff from Roy Hill, HanRoy and Atlas Iron attended this important ground-breaking event....

$3M partnership to drive innovation in critical minerals sector Curtin University has announced a new $3m research collaboration with Mining Process Solutions (MPS), a division of Draslovka to commercialise a safer more sustainable mineral extraction technology in the resources sector. The project, one of 47 research initiatives supported by the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer to date, will focus on advancing glycine leaching technology through a new Innovative Leaching Research Project Team led by Curtin University Associate Professor Elsayed Oraby. “The non-toxic amino acid has the potential to replace hazardous chemicals like cyanide in mineral...

Australia’s largest robotics & automation precinct opens Australia’s largest robotics and automation headquarters has been officially opened by the WA Government just north of Perth in Neerabup, promising to drive advancements in zero-emissions technologies. The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) allows local, national and global companies to test, research and develop across autonomous solutions, remote operations and robotics without interrupting day-to-day operations. WA Premier Roger Cook says the State is leading the nation in the development of robot and automation solutions. "Our Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct will play a key role in the integration of robotics to increase efficiency and safety...

Long-duration vanadium flow battery for Kununurra The WA Government is piloting a long-duration vanadium flow battery in Kununurra in northwest WA which will allow Horizon Power to examine whether the technology can be installed in microgrids and off-grid power systems. The battery, supplied by VSUN Energy, a subsidiary of Australian Vanadium (ASX: AVL), will collaborate with Horizon Power on integrating this energy storage into its network as well as system support testing over the next 12 months. WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby says “this pilot won't just mean there is more clean, reliable, and affordable power for regional WA - it means...

EQR acquisition: major milestone for western critical minerals VIETNAM — EQ Resources (EQR) (ASX: EQR) is set to acquire the Tungsten Metals Group (TMG), including Asia Tungsten Products, giving EQR 100% ownership of the largest ferrotungsten plant outside China. The facility is in V?nh B?o, Haiphong Province, Vietnam, and was built in 2011. In recent years the facility has mainly operated as a toll treatment facility for third-party customers, converting primary and secondary tungsten raw materials into high-quality ferrotungsten. The facility boasts a potential production capacity of 4,000tpa. Due to its scale and favourable cost structure, it is regarded as one of...

‘Unleash the drills’: Westgold delivers a boost for Bluebird Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) has increased its mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Bluebird – South Junction mining complex in WA by 37%. The MRE now stands at 15mt at 2.9g/t of gold for 1.4moz, with a 65% increase in measured and indicated resources now 8.7mt at 2.9g/t of gold for 814koz. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell comments on the update. “With 1.4Moz in resource and growing Bluebird-South Junction has now confirmed its status as the key growth driver in Westgold’s Murchison business,” he said. “In under 18 months, the team has moved a simple uphole bench...

Rio Tinto, Panguna parties sign MoU to address mine impacts PAPUA NEW GUINEA — Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Bougainville Copper and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a Roundtable to address the findings of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA). The independent PMLIA is based on two years of data collection overseen by an oversight committee that includes representatives from local communities,...