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UGL to build stage two of Western Downs Battery UGL, a member of CIMIC Group, has been appointed to design and construct stage two of the Western Downs Battery in Queensland for Neoen. A 270MW/540MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and high voltage infrastructure will be installed and connected to the grid at Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub. The BESS will consist of 140 Tesla megapack 2XL units and is expected to begin operations in 2026. UGL is also constructing stage one of the Western Downs Battery, which is expected to start operations later...

Acubis Number 1 communications partner in Asia-Pacific third year running An Australian company specialising in remote communications, Acubis, has been named Rajant Corporation’s top Asia-Pacific Partner for the third time in a row. Rajant is a US based company, specialising in wireless communication technologies, and is a major supplier of cutting-edge technologies to Acubis. Rajant’s wireless kinetic mesh technology is employed by Acubis in its design of communications solutions for major Australian mine sites. This latest accolade recognises Acubis as number one throughout the Asia-Pacific region for design, system integration, support and sales of Rajant products. Acubis General Manager Jeff Berg and the whole Acubis team are proud to have received this award for...

Sandvik to acquire Universal Field Robots in Q4 this year Sandvik has signed an agreement to acquire Universal Field Robots (UFR) with the transaction expected to close in Q4 CY24. UFR is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, and provides autonomous interoperable surface and underground mining solutions. Sandvik president and chief executive Stefan Wilding says “Universal Field Robots is an important strategic addition to Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions”. “ will strengthen our growth potential and provide key capabilities in the development of our mining automation solutions portfolio going forward,” he said. With about...

BHP delivers record volumes at WAIO in FY24 BHP (ASX: BHP) had a strong FY24, with record production achieved at its Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO), Spence and Carrapateena operations. Revenue increased 3% from the prior corresponding period to $82b (US$55.7b), primarily as a result of higher realised prices across iron ore and copper, with sales volumes increasing 3% and 5%, respectively. Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 4% to $42.7b (US$29b), while underlying attributable profit was up 2% to $20.1b (US$13.7b). BHP chief executive Mike Henry commented on...

Fortescue celebrates $5b milestone in First Nations contracts Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) Billion Opportunities program has celebrated more than $5b in contracts and sub-contracts awarded to 200 First Nations businesses since its launch in 2011. Focusing on sustainable development, the Billion Opportunities program supports individual First Nations businesses, helping build a stronger and more resilient economic future. To amplify the program’s impact, Fortescue has been in partnership with ANZ since 2017 to provide funding to First Nations businesses. Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto commented on the program. “The success of the Billion Opportunities program is credit...

CuFe to sell iron ore mine to Newcam Minerals CuFe (ASX: CUF) will sell the iron ore rights to its WA JWD iron ore mine to Newcam Minerals for $12m cash, citing challenging conditions in the iron ore market. The JWD mine will suspend operations while the ownership transition occurs to preserve the value of ore in the ground. Iron ore prices have been declining all year from a peak of $141.45 per tonne at the...

$150m boost for De Grey’s Hemi gold project De Grey (ASX: DEG) is progressing on the development of the WA Hemi gold project after receiving a $150m loan from the Federal Government’s Northen Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF). De Grey managing director Glenn Jardine says the company appreciates the strong support for the development shown by NAIF and acknowledges the important role played by the Federal Resources and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King and the Federal Northern Australia Special Envoy Luke Gosling. “Hemi is an...

Cornwall coal mine wins best overall at VMRC Mines across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania took part in the Minerals Council of Australia’s (MCA) Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) from August 23 – 25. Organised by MCA Victoria, the VMRC is a major annual safety training exercise involving simulated rescue scenarios for mine emergency response teams. Scenarios were hosted by Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville gold mine and the Central Deborah gold mine, both of which are in Victoria. Cornwall Coal won best overall at the event, with Ballarat gold mine coming in second and Mandalay Resources’ Costerfield...

‘Disciplined Delivery’: Pilbara Minerals FY24 results Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) made significant strides in safety and production and is set to capitalise on several promising projects, despite a softer lithium pricing environment. Spodumene concentrate production increased 17% to 725.3kdmt from FY23. Safety metrics also improved with the Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate reduced by 27% to 3.4 compared to FY23. These results follow the opening of Pilbara Minerals new crushing and ore sorting facility at its Pilgangoora operation in WA, the final component in the P680 project. The P1000...