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NSW Mineral Council’s HSEC awards winners were announced last night as part of the organisation’s annual Health, Safety, Environment and Community Conference being held in Hunter this week. The awards recognise and celebrate the most outstanding innovations and contributions to the mining industry across a range of categories. NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee says the awards highlight the industry’s ongoing efforts to deliver better outcomes for the State’s workforce, communities and the environment. “The drive to innovate and develop world-leading practices is part of the NSW mining industry’s commitment to mine responsibility now and in the future,” he said. “Our 2024 award entrants have continued a very high standard”. The Health Excellence Award went to Peabody, Metropolitan mine,…

Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) reports first underground development ore mined and first spodumene concentrate delivered to port at its Kathleen Valley lithium project in WA. Since the commencement of underground operations at Mt Mann in November 2023, more than 4,000 development metres have been advanced. The 145t of spodumene concentrate delivered to the Port of Geraldton in WA, will be stockpiled at Qube’s dedicated storage shed ahead of first shipment planned for later this quarter. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano says this rapid progression underscores the momentum Liontown is building as it transitions from construction to production. “Just a week after achieving first production, the first truckload of spodumene concentrate has been successfully dispatched to Geraldton Port,”…

Cauldron Energy chief executive Jonathan Fisher advocated for uranium mining in Australia at the WA Mining Club July luncheon. Mr Fisher argues uranium mining is essential to decarbonisation and cites the Federal ban on nuclear energy and WA ban on uranium as roadblocks in achieving emissions reduction goals. “The nuclear industry globally is now awake,” he said. “That is driven by decarbonisation because other than hydro, nuclear is the only mass available, baseload generating, zero carbon source which is on 24/7.” Following the triple nuclear pledge signed at COP28 — which saw 22 countries pledging to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050 — the United States, Canada, France, Japan and the United Kingdom formed the Sapporo 5 to establish a…

Artificial intelligence, geo-spatial data and emerging technologies will transform copper discovery in Australia, according to a new study published by the International Copper Association of Australia (ICAA). Roadmap to Zero: Discovery, the sixth report in the Roadmap to Zero Project, says developing new mines is now urgent, with copper mines taking an average of 24.1 years from discovery to production. In Australia, it takes 20 years and ICAA chief executive John Fennell says that whilst this country has the second biggest reserves in the world, there are larger challenges that need to be tackled. “ still not in the top five of the largest producers globally and slow discovery is a big reason”, he said. “Australian copper exploration spending…

A new telehealth service supported by BHP (ASX: BHP) is aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of women living in Port and South Hedland. The partnership between Hedland Well Women’s Centre (HWWC) and Luma for her Health and Wellbeing will give the Hedland community access to general practitioners (GP) specialising in women’s health. BHP’s support allowed upgraded IT systems, advanced cyber security programming, internet satellite upgrades and telehealth equipment to be purchased and installed. Hedland Well Women’s Centre chief executive Kianna Barker commented on the program. “It will increase the capacity and offering of GP services in Port and South Hedland, specifically focusing on services which are in high demand for women,” she said. “This is an…

Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) has completed its acquisition of Alumina, cementing itself as a leading pure play, upstream aluminium company. Alcoa president and chief executive William F. Oplinger says the company is proud to announce the completion of its first major acquisition. “The acquisition of Alumina strengthens Alcoa’s position as one of the world’s largest bauxite and alumina producers and is expected to result in long-term value creation from greater financial and operational flexibility,” he said. “I want to thank both the Alcoa and Alumina teams, and our advisors, for full cooperation and diligence in closing this transformational transaction on a very tight schedule.” Following the acquisition, the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture, which Alcoa previously held…

Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) has officially opened the new crushing and ore sorting facility at its Pilgangoora operation in WA. This crushing and ore sorting facility is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and the largest in the world for lithium processing. It can sort more than 1000t of ore per hour. The milestone was marked by an official ceremony and ribbon cutting on site, with attendees including WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby, Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility chief executive Craig Doyle and Nyami Elders Willie Jumbo and Biddi Norman. The crushing and ore sorting facility, which crushes and separates lithium ore from waste, is the final component of the P680 project which increases Pilgangoora’s production capacity by…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has awarded a five-year contract to Indigenous-owned business Coolingah for the hire of three coaches to service the Wodgina lithium mine in WA. A fleet of 57-seat coaches recently arrived at Wodgina which will be used to transfer MinRes’ workforce across the mine site. MinRes general manager communities and heritage Heath Nelson says the partnership underscored the company’s commitment to fostering strong relationships with Indigenous businesses and supporting their growth and development. “We are proud of the close partnerships MinRes has formed with a range of Indigenous businesses, including Coolingah, which is owned and operated by a Traditional Owner on lands where we operate,” he said. “By collaborating with Indigenous businesses, we not only support their…

Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) and Karora Resources have completed their merger to create a leading mid-tier gold producer and international gold company. This follows Westgold’s acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Karora. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell says this marks the next phase of Westgold’s evolution into a larger, unhedged and well-funded Australian gold producer. “Our value proposition is significantly enhanced with an expanded team, quality operating assets and an enviable pipeline of exploration prospects across two of Australia’s most productive gold fields,” he said. “The merger with Karora upsizes our WA operating platform — an extensive and established asset base that can be increasingly leveraged for free cash generation and growth. “Westgold…

The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) has released its report on risks to WA’s investment-readiness, highlighting the need for turnkey industrial areas. The Australian Venture Consultants report commissioned by the WA CME examined a range of industrial precincts in competing jurisdictions. The report found the lack of fully equipped strategic industrial areas (SIAs) was severely hampering WA’s ability to attract investment. WA CME chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson says the intense global competition in critical minerals and clean energy supply chains means that investment incentives and project-ready industrial precincts offer a significant competitive advantage. “One of the key factors hindering WA’s agility to respond to market needs and have projects up and running quickly has been the absence of…