Latest News

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) and Zenith Energy have signed contracts for the supply of power to Lynas’ Mt Weld mine and concentration plant in WA. The power will be supplied via a 65MW hybrid power station comprising of a 24MW wind farm, a 7MW solar PV farm and a 12MW battery energy storage system. Additionally, the renewable facility will be supported by a 17MW high efficiency gas fired power station. To provide redundancy in the back-up system for 24/7 operations, 5MW of diesel standby generation will be installed. Under a power purchase agreement, Zenith will finance, build, own, operate and maintain the new hybrid power station at Mt Weld for 15 years. The agreement will begin from the installation…

Applications are open for Alcoa’s 2025 Portland Aluminium apprenticeship for its smelter in Victoria. Candidates will receive a nationally-accredited trade certificate in mechanical fitting or electrical technology on completion of the four-year program. Final year electrical fitter apprentice Ella Kohlman says applying for an apprenticeship was the best career choice she has ever made. “As someone born and raised in Portland, I considered the apprenticeship a great chance to work for an international company in my hometown and give back to my local community,” she said. “At Portland Aluminium, I’ve thrived in a welcoming and inclusive environment, gaining valuable knowledge in my field, being guided by amazing mentors, and forming lasting bonds and memories that will stay with me in…

The Federal Court of Australia has approved the Alcoa Corporation’s acquisition of Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC). The acquisition is now legally effective, making July 23 the last day of trading for Alumina shares on the ASX. The acquisition is expected to be implemented on August 1 in line with the first day of trading for new Alcoa shares on the NYSE. Following implementation, eligible Alumina shareholders will receive 0.02854 new Alcoa CDIs for each Alumina share held on the scheme record date of July 25. In a June 11 statement, Alcoa president and chief executive William F. Oplinger said the transaction is value-enhancing. “Acquiring Alumina Limited aligns with our long-term strategy to bolster our position as a leading pure play,…

The Queensland Government has launched two new initiatives to grow investment into the State’s growing critical mineral industry. The first initiative — the Queensland Critical Minerals Prospectus — showcases projects ready for investment at different mining stages. This information is complemented by details of Queensland’s critical minerals sector, including known endowments and the action the State Government is taking to accelerate the development of this sector. The second initiative — the Critical Minerals Investor Hub — is a new online tool that connects potential investors with government agencies and proponents of projects already in development. Queensland Resources and Critical Resources Minister Scott Stewart commented on the initiatives. “Queensland is in the box seat to capitalise on the global push to…

Establish predictable performance while managing costs  The mining industry is at a critical juncture. A rising demand for raw materials supporting the energy transition, increasing cost pressures, higher regulatory and compliance requirements, and a shortage of skilled labor are just some of the challenges driving the need for transformation.   In such a dynamic environment, mining organisations must develop agility, while finding ways to extract more value from their existing assets and resources. Achieving this relies on their ability to embrace emerging technologies that enable dynamic improvement processes to not only drive productivity gains and cost-efficiencies, but unlock new opportunities.  Baker Hughes is one company helping asset owners navigate these challenges while balancing factors such as risk, cost, and performance.  The…

Barminco has received a development contract for underground exploration at Spartan Resources’ (ASX: SPR) Dalgaranga gold project in WA. The $18.3m contract allows for 2350m of development to deliver twin decline access for the establishment of underground drilling platforms to in-fill and extend mineralisation within the Never Never, Pepper, Four Pillars and West Winds areas. All of these high-grade gold zones are located along an 800m-long, semi-continuously mineralised horizon. The exploration drill drive designed to run parallel and adjacent to the horizon to provide underground drill platforms to more effectively design these areas as well as explore for further high-grade shoots. Spartan managing director and chief executive Simon Lawson says the company is delighted to be working with Barminco. “All…

Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) expects to complete its transaction of Karora Resources by August 1 after securing approval from Karora shareholders. Karora chairman and chief executive Paul Andre Huet says the shareholder approval was essential to proceeding with the transaction. “The approval by approximately 99% of the votes cast on the resolutions regarding the proposed merger transaction with Westgold along with receipt of Financial Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval, represent two important milestones towards the closing of this transaction,” he said. “We thank Karora shareholders for their overwhelming support of the combination of Westgold and Karora to create a dual ASX and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) listed top 5 Australian gold producer.” Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell…

South32 (ASX: S32) will appeal the WA Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) recommendations for the Worsley mine expansion. The South32 project proposal includes expansion of the existing bauxite mining area, development of a bauxite transport corridor and a contingency mining area and maintenance work at the Worsley refinery. The WA EPA recommendations, released on July 8, outlined strict conditions, including limitations to alumina and bauxite production, exclusion zones and emissions caps in line with the rehabilitation of the Northern Jarrah Forest. “Over the past five years, Worsley Alumina has undertaken extensive environmental assessment and consultation with a range of stakeholders on its proposal for the project,” South32 said in its update. “If imposed in their current form, several conditions recommended by…

Green iron grade concentrates have been produced using saline water on ores from Magnetite Mines’ (ASX: MGT) Razorback iron ore project in South Australia. Using a trial-and-error approach, a laboratory testwork program identified a method using saline water produced premium-grade concentrates suitable for green iron production. Concentrate grades of up to 69.9% iron and less than 2% silica and alumina were achieved, similar to results using fresh water. The testwork program used a bulk sample from the Iron Peak deposit, representing a limited portion of the planned mining inventory. Additional testwork is required to confirm the efficacy of saline water across all the deposits, which may exhibit different processing characteristics. Magnetite Mines chief executive Tim Dobson commented on the milestone.…

Sandvik will introduce innovative new solutions and showcase its latest technologies at mining’s largest tradeshow, including battery-electric and diesel-electric equipment to help customers improve their sustainability. Sandvik will have its latest innovations on display at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2024 in Las Vegas, September 24-26, including its new Toro™ diesel-electric truck demonstrator and latest battery-electric concept surface drill rig. Sandvik’s 1950m2 (21,000ft2) exhibit at Central Hall 3, booth #7415 will demonstrate its vision for the “future of mining,” a theme that emphasises its focus on the technologies and solutions that will help customers mine more sustainably without compromising productivity or efficiency. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions president Mats Eriksson commented on this. “As the mining industry helps drive the global green transition…

The Northern Territory Government has signed two Memorandum of Understanding’s (MoU) with Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). The MoU’s strengthen economic and strategic trade ties between the Northern Territory and Japan, ties which underscored $7.7b worth of goods exported from the Northern Territory to Japan in 2022/23. Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler commented on the MoU’s. “By strengthening our collaboration with key trading partners like Japan, we are bolstering the Northern Territory’s emerging critical minerals sector and creating more working opportunities for people across the Northern Territory.” The first MoU, signed by Ms Lawler and JOGMEC executive vice president Hiroshi Kubota, establishes a framework for cooperation in various energy sectors, including natural gas, carbon capture and…