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BHP: copper and iron ore up in Q1 BHP copper and iron ore production have seen increases, driven by operational improvements at Escondida copper in Chile and WA iron ore (WAIO), according to the company’s Q1 operational review. The company reports it is on track to meet FY25 production guidance thanks to strong operational performance. BHP chief executive Mike Henry says BHP is seeing a strong start to the 2025 financial year, with production up across all major commodities for the quarter. “Copper production was up 4% due to higher grade and recoveries at Escondida and WAIO production...

Rare earth element anomalism confirmed at Mt Doreen Recent surface geochemical sampling at Litchfield Minerals’ (ASX: LMS) Mt Doreen project in the Northern Territory has confirmed the presence of rare earth element (REE) anomalism. A total of 134 soil and 50 rock chip samples were collected at Mt Doreen to assess REE anomalism within granites and associated erosional sediments. Rock chip sampling was undertaken to assess REE anomalism within granite outcrops, while soil sampling was undertaken to test the granite-derived sediments surrounding the granites. Light REE dominated the findings, with an average of 42% cerium, 21% lanthanum and 19% neodymium returned. The highest-grade REE samples were collected...

Evolution on track to deliver “over $1.9b operating cash flow” in FY25 Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) has followed its record FY24 performance, with the company announcing it’s on track to achieve over $1.9b of operating cash flow by the end of FY25. In Q1 FY25, Evolution generated mine cash flow of $429m, with all operations delivering positive cash flow and major contributions coming from the Cowal and Red Lake operations. Looking at production, 193,554oz of gold and 19,059t of copper was produced, and with an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1569/oz, Evolution remains one of the lowest cost producers in the sector. Evolution managing director...

Monadelphous locks in new contracts worth $160m Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX: MND) has announced the award of new contracts and extensions totalling around $160m. The engineering group has been awarded two one-year contract extensions for fixed plant maintenance services and sustaining capital projects across Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara, WA. Monadelphous has also secured a fabrication, supply, installation and commissioning contract at the global miner’s Tom Price mine, with work completion expected in mid-2025. South32’s Worsley Alumina operations in southwest WA has awarded a new three-year contract for the provision of minor project works at site, on the back of the maintenance and shutdown services contract extension announced last month. Monadelphous has been providing services at Worsley...

Decmil secures $123m road upgrade contract for WA lithium project Macmahon holdings (ASX: MAH) subsidiary, Decmil, has been awarded a $123m road upgrade contract for Covalent Lithium’s Mount Holland lithium project in WA. The scope of works includes upgrading the logistics link between the Great Eastern Highway and Covalent’s Mount Holland site, with approximately 113km of road upgrades to take place. Decmil commenced work on the project in August 2023 following receipt of a limited notice of award (LNoA) in July 2023. Approximately $59m of works had already been completed during FY24. Work under the full contract award is expected to directly...

UAJV: transforming outdated PPE into sustainable solutions UAJV is tackling the challenge of managing outdated and non-compliant personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability. Rather than contributing to landfill waste, the team has taken the opportunity to make a positive impact by partnering with Loop Upcycling to upcycle functional garments that no longer meet clients’ minimum specifications. With Loop's expertise, UAJV upcycled 199 shirts and coveralls into 90 padded laptop sleeves, complete with long and short handles and 100 durable duffle bags. The process was managed to ensure zero waste, with even...

The future of apron feeder technology RCR Mining Technologies has launched the world-first sealed pan feeder (SPF), combining apron feeder technology with the sealing properties of a belt feeder into one machine. The SPF shares over 90% of its components with the trusted RCR apron feeder in its low-maintenance and high-durability design. Key improvements include: Enhanced performance: The SPF reduces the need for maintenance outages, offering approximately 50% fewer outages and 39% less tool time over a 15-year period compared to standard, non-RCR apron feeders. Maximised production: The reduction in maintenance frequency and outage duration translates directly to more...

Muckanippie kicks off titanium drilling Petratherm (PTR) (ASX: PTR) has commenced drilling at its Muckanippie titanium project in South Australia. The 4,000m drill program will assess at a regional scale the Rosewood and Claypan Prospect titanium rich heavy mineral sands (HMS) mineralisation. Drilling is also planned over high titanium-vanadium bearing source rock horizons for primary vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) style mineralisation. PTR Chief executive Peter Redi says the company is extremely pleased to have drilling now underway. “The critical minerals, titanium and vanadium, have been identified over large areas and in a variety of target forms which is testament to the fertility of the Muckanippie area,” he said. “This...

Rio Tinto increases iron ore, bauxite and titanium dioxide production in Q3 Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released its Q3 CY24 results, with the company increasing Pilbara iron ore, bauxite and titanium dioxide slag production. Bauxite production saw an 8% increase from the prior corresponding period to 15.1mt, titanium dioxide slag production increased 7% to 263kt and Pilbara iron ore production increased 1% to 84.1mt. On the other hand, aluminium production decreased 2% to 809kt and mined copper production dropped 1% to 168kt. Operations Construction of Rio’s Western Range mine is now 80% complete, with the company finalising commissioning of the autonomous haul trucks and completing...

Federal Government backs rare earths The Federal Government is putting Dubbo, NSW at the heart of its plans to grow Australia’s critical minerals and rare earths industry by providing further support for miner Australian Strategic Materials Limited (ASM) (ASX: ASM). The Dubbo project will produce critical minerals such as zirconium, niobium and hafnium as well as several rare earth elements. Rare earths are critical to the energy and defence industries...

Alcoa: rubber hits the road on tyre recycling Old tyres are being given a new life thanks to an innovative recycling project involving Alcoa Australia and Tyrecycle’s newly established East Rockingham, WA, facility. The “off-the-road” (OTR) haul truck tyres that have reached the end of their operational life are being sent from Alcoa’s bauxite mines in the Peel and South West regions to the local Tyrecycle facility where they are processed to create a crumbed rubber product. The resulting product can be used for a...