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China to impose antimony export limits From September 15, China will impose export limits on antimony in a bid to restrict shipments of critical minerals in which it is the dominant supplier. According to the US Geological Survey, China was the leading global antimony producer in 2023 and accounted for 48% of production. While used to improve the hardness and strength of other metals, antimony has become increasingly popular for its use in military equipment, such as infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, night vision goggles and a hardening agent for bullets and tanks. As stated by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the restrictions...

Monadelphous lands $340m in contracts Monadelphous (ASX: MND) has been awarded about $340m in new construction contracts for the iron ore and renewable energy sectors. In iron ore, Mondium — Monadelphous’ engineering, procurement and construction joint venture with Lycopodium — has been awarded a design and construct contract by Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO). The contract includes construction of a new sampling facility at a port operation in the Pilbara region of WA. Work is expected to be completed in mid-2026. Monadelphous has also been awarded a multidisciplinary construction contract under BHP’s (ASX: BHP) WA Iron Ore...

Drilling approved for Argent polymetallic project Argent Minerals’ (ASX: ARD) reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Kempfield project is set to commence in September 2024 following approval from the NSW Regulator. The program comprises 3,3000m across 51 RC drill holes and will confirm newly discovered Kempfield NW and Sugarloaf Hill prospects across copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver deposits. The Kempfield silver deposit mineral resource estimate for all categories has been upgraded to 63.7mt at 69.75 g/t silver equivalent for 142.8moz of gold equivalent, containing of 65.8moz...

Fabrum and Fortescue commission liquid hydrogen plant Manufacturing company Fabrum has collaborated on the design, build and commissioning of Australia’s largest liquid hydrogen plant at a mine site. The liquid hydrogen plant at Fortescue’s Christmas Creek mine in WA comprises of a hydrogen liquefaction facility, liquid hydrogen storage and a liquid hydrogen refuelling station, was unveiled today. Liquid hydrogen will be used to power Fortescue’s zero-emission mining equipment prototypes, including the offboard power unit and the hydrogen-powered haul truck prototype. The liquid...

Ground breaks at Christmas Creek green iron plant Ground has broken at Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) $75.4m (US$50m) Christmas Creek green iron metal project in WA, marking a key step towards developing a green iron industry in the State. The project will produce iron using green hydrogen, which will be suitable for use in almost any steel plant across the globe. It aims to produce green iron metal by the end of 2025, creating a catalyst for the next generation of Australia’s green iron industry....

UNSW Sydney launches Institute for Industrial Decarbonisation The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) has launched the Institute for Industrial Decarbonisation (IID) to drive initiatives to achieve net zero. Initiatives span technological, economic and policy innovation, aligned with green industry development opportunities. UNSW vice chancellor and president Professor Attila Brungs says the university had brought the brightest minds to tackle the problem of fossil fuels. “UNSW is launching the Institute for Industrial Decarbonisation to bring together transdisciplinary capability across faculties and specialties,” he said. “Engineering, science, business, legal, planning and design disciplines all have a contribution to make as we work with...

Safeguarding operations with Australian StandardsTM (industry case study) Since 2018, Goldfields Explosives, a Perth-based company, has been providing blasting solutions to the Australian mining industry. By adhering to Australian Standards, the company not only helps ensure the efficient and safe handling of explosive materials but also stays ahead with up-to-date practices accessed through the Standards Australia Store. This approach allows them to mitigate risks effectively while keeping their workforce safe and operations running smoothly. Mitigating risk through industry best-practice Handling explosives in the mining industry comes with significant risks. Goldfields Explosives demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and compliance by following Australian Standards. By adhering to rigorous safety protocols, the company effectively manages the risks associated with explosive materials, supporting...

AngloGold Ashanti teams up with Kincora for NSW copper-gold exploration Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) and earn-in partner AngloGold Ashanti will soon begin the first ever copper-gold drilling program at the northern portion of the Nyngan project, with about 6-8 drill holes for an estimated 4000-5000m before the summer break. AngloGold Ashanti, the world's fourth largest gold miner by production, has a successful track record with greenfields discovery. Kincora is managing  the exploration program and will receive a 10%...

Queensland Government and Rio Tinto partner on Gladstone’s Boyne Smelters The Queensland Government and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will work together under a partnership to support investment in renewable energy projects. The agreement represents an important step towards securing a long-term future for Australia's second-largest aluminium smelter, Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) and thousands of jobs in central Queensland supported by the operations. The partnership supports Queensland's vision to establish Gladstone, Queensland, as a renewable energy hub and strengthens the electricity grid as Australia transitions to a cleaner...

More than 10,000g/t gold identified in veins at Titan Visible high-grade gold has been reported in veins at the Titan prospect in WA, with multiple holes recording more than 10,000g/t gold. Titan, which is part of Artemis Resources’ (ASX: ARV) Karratha gold project, was subject to a work program designed to map the prospective surface veins and identify additional fertile structures that may contain gold and copper mineralisation. Not only did the ground team identify and trace several large-scale vein trends, but it also successfully identified a vein zone with abundant coarse visible gold at Titan. Rock chip...

Latest WA environmental approval reforms well-received by peak mining body The WA Government yesterday introduced the Environmental Protection Act Amendment Bill 2024 to Parliament to speed up the State’s environmental approvals for projects. Following the Vogel-McFerran Review that found approvals to be complex, time-consuming and costly, other State Government regulators will now be allowed to issue their own approvals ahead of the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The new parallel decision-making policy means proponents can obtain other approvals while their environmental impact is assessed by the EPA, potentially saving years in the process. WA Premier Roger Cook...