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UGL has completed commissioning and readiness for energisation for the construction of Neoen Australia’s Collie Battery Stage 1 in WA. The battery will connect to Western Power’s Shotts Terminal substation, enhancing the region’s power distribution network. Work at Collie battery Stage 1 commenced in April 2023 and is expected to finish later this year. The project encompasses the installation of 219MW/877MWh battery of Tesla Energy Megapacks, coupled with the establishment of a new 33/330kV High Voltage Substation. UGL project manager Diego Cortes Ferrer comments on the progress. “This milestone was a great effort from the UGL Construction and Commissioning teams, especially considering the heavy rains during some construction weeks,” he said. “The team worked collaboratively to achieve a successful outcome.”…

Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) reports a productive Q4, with record lithium shipments and high lithium prices across all operations. WA lithium operations Wodgina and Mt Marion both reported record shipments up 41% and 46% respectively from Q4 of 2023. Lithium operations benefitted from high prices, with a weighted average realised price across all operations of about $1479/dmt (US$970/dmt) in Q4, an increase of 15% from Q3. Total quarterly iron ore shipments increased by 6% from Q3 to 18.1Mwmt within guidance, with MinRes delivering its first iron ore on ship ahead of schedule from Onslow iron in WA. MinRes also announced in Q4 that iron ore exports from the Yilgarn hub in WA will cease by the end of 2024.…

Construction of the process plant was substantially completed in the June quarter at Liontown Resources’ (ASX: LTR) Kathleen Valley lithium project in WA. Construction of the process plant was substantially complete by the end of the quarter, achieving 99% overall completion. Dry plant After beginning dry plant commissioning ahead of schedule in March, Liontown used the June quarter to focus on increasing throughput and driving circuit optimisations in the crushing circuit to the fine ore bin. At the end of the quarter, 58kt of crushed ore was stockpiled for commissioning the SAG mill and wet plant. Wet plant Efficiently transitioning from construction to commissioning the wet plant was a key focus for Liontown in the quarter with mechanical and electrical…

All conditions relating to the sale of South32’s (ASX: S32) Illawarra Metallurgical Coal in NSW have been completed with the transaction expected to be complete in September 2024. In February 2024, South32 announced it had entered a binding agreement to sell Illawarra to an entity owned by Golden Energy and Resources and M Resources for $1.98b (US$1.3b) plus a contingent consideration of up to $533m (US$350m). The sale was subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions which have now been completed. When announcing its intention to sell Illawarra, South32 chief executive Graham Kerr said it will streamline the company’s portfolio. “This transaction will realise significant value for our shareholders and is consistent with our strategy to reshape our portfolio toward…

Many Peaks Minerals (ASX: MPK) is divesting its 80% ownership in two Queensland exploration permits to focus on its flagship projects in Côte d’Ivoire. The sale is pursuant to a sale agreement entered into with EMX Broken Hill. Simultaneously, Many Peaks has also confirmed it will not be exercising its rights to execute and option to acquire a 100% interest in the Yarrol and Mr Steadman projects in Queensland. The sale agreement and termination of the option agreement are part of Many Peaks’ strategic review which aims to ensure it remains dedicated to gold and copper exploration while concentrating on large-scale opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire — a region known for its rich gold terrains. Many Peaks executive chairman Travis Schwertfeger…

The Federal and Northern Territory governments have signed a $250m deal as part of the Rewiring the Nation Program. Through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the funds will create hundreds of new jobs and see the power grid upgraded and expanded across the Territory, supporting major transmission projects and bolstering grid strength. The $250m investment will also accelerate the rollout of transmission projects across the Territory, with the first wave of these to be completed before 2030. The Northern Territory has also signed an agreement to deploy community-scale solar, rooftop solar and clean energy technologies, providing up to $500 in energy cost savings per year. Northern Territory Energy and Renewables Minister Kate Worden commented on the investment. “Investing in battery…

Energy Resources of Australia’s (ASX: ERA) (ERA) lease for the Jabiluka uranium mine in the Northern Territory will not be renewed, based on advice from the Federal Government. ERA applied for a 10-year renewal for the mine, which it previously held for 42 years. A planned Reserved Land area prevents future mineral titles over Jabiluka, according to a May announcement from the Northern Territory Government. The Reserved Land area will come into effect when ERA’s current lease expires on August 11. Northern Territory Mining Minister Mark Monaghan comments on the decision. “We have gone through a thorough process to ensure that all stakeholder views have been considered in this decision,” he said. “The Federal Government advice, along with the wishes…

Queensland’s competitive position in the energy transition was highlighted at the 2024 Queensland Mining Awards. BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) asset president Adam Lancey says Queensland has become one of the biggest global players in the resources arena. “Across the mining industry we’re facing challenges — inflation pressures, disruption to supply chains, labour constraints, changes to policy and the need to accelerate the global energy transition,” he said. “Despite operating in an environment that is rapidly changing, we continue to play a key part in meeting the global demand for essential steelmaking minerals.” The Queensland mining industry contributed more than $116b dollars to the State economy, supported more than 500,000 jobs and more than $18b in payments to the State Government…

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has released its Q4 performance, highlighting record iron ore shipments totalling 191.6mt in FY24. The record iron ore shipments of 53.7mt in Q4 were 10% higher than Q4 FY23. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto says this has been an outstanding quarter. “This record result demonstrated the efficiencies gained through our recovery plan following the ore car derailment in December 2023,” he said. “Looking ahead to FY25, we’re seeking to achieve record shipments with guidance of 190 – 200mt. “As part of bringing together Metals and Energy into One Fortescue, we are simplifying our structure and removing duplication that will ensure Fortescue is lean, impactful and can move quickly to seize opportunities.” A constant focus…

Gold mining company Newmont (ASX: NEM) has delivered ‘strong’ Q2 2024 results, producing nearly 2.1m gold equivalent ounces from its operations. Notably, attributable gold production decreased 4% from the previous quarter to 1.6moz due to lower production at the Cerro Negro mine in Argentina after operations were suspended following the fatalities of two members. Operations were also suspended at Telfer in WA as further work was completed to improve the safe operation of the tailings storage facility. Second quarter production was also impacted by lower production at Lihir, Papua New Guinea, due to heavy rainfall impacting mine sequencing and at Akyem, Ghana, due to lower grades as a result of the ongoing stripping campaign. These impacts were partially offset by…

Following a feasibility study confirming outstanding cashflow and financial returns, Fenix Resources (ASX: FEX) is set to build a new iron ore mine at the Beebyn-W11 deposit in WA. The feasibility study revealed a high-grade, high-quality operation that provides strong returns over its seven year mine life with annual production of 1.5mdmt. The Beebyn-W11 deposit has a maiden ore reserve of 10mt at an average grade of 62.2% iron and includes 8.3mt in proven and 1.7mt in probable ore reserves. Based on forecast cash operating costs of $77.5wmt (US$50.4wmt), the mine will generate forecast annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $47.9m. Fenix executive chairman John Welborn says the introduction of a new mine is an exciting time…