Latest News

Aboriginal Heritage surveys have begun at Buxton Resources’ (ASX: BUX) Centurion project in WA. The heritage survey comprises of members from the Parna Ngururrpa and Ngurra Kayanta traditional owner groups who speak for the land on which Centurion is located. A helicopter is being used to help in the inspection of the drill sites and around 50km of access tracks. Buxton chief executive Marty Moloney commented on the surveys. “We’re very pleased to be working in partnership with the Parna Ngururrpa and the Ngurra Kayanta, the Native Title custodians of the land which hosts the Centurion project,” he said. “We would also like to thank the survey team and Central Desert Native Title Services for their efforts in coordinating this…

Former Conzinc Riotinto of Australia Limited (CRA) chief executive, chairman and managing director Sir Roderick Carnegie passed away on July 14, aged 91. Under his leadership in the 1970s and 1980s, Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) discovered the Argyle diamond mine in WA rapidly doubling world diamond production and supplying virtually the entire world’s source of rare pink, red and violet diamonds. The company also forged strong relationships with China and continued to develop its flagship iron ore business in the Pilbara, including becoming the first Australian company to export iron ore to China. Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm says Sir Carnegie’s leadership from 40 years ago is still felt in Rio Tinto today. “We are deeply saddened to learn…

BHP (ASX: BHP) released its FY24 operational review, showing record iron ore production and its highest copper production in over 15 years. BHP chief executive Mike Henry says BHP had a strong finish to the year. “We finished the year with a strong fourth quarter, achieving several production records and we are meeting current production and unit cost guidance for all commodities,” he said. BHP looks to continue this year’s record production and decarbonisation efforts to drive results in FY25. Record production BHP achieved FY24 production guidance for all commodities with metallurgical coal achieving the upper end of is revised guidance. The company had record production at WA iron ore operations (WAIO), Spence and Carrapateena and the highest production in four…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) celebrated 2024 NAIDOC Week with a range of cultural activities across its sites and local communities. This year’s theme was Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud, and employees and the community were invited to engage in dialogue about the stories, traditions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Across its regional sites, teams recognised NAIDOC Week with Welcome to Country events, flag raising and smoking ceremonies, sports and social events as well as live performances by local Aboriginal musicians. At its Perth head office, an address by MinRes managing director Chris Ellison began celebrations and senior Noongar man Danny Ford did the Welcome to Country. MinRes non-executive director Colleen Hayward made a…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released its Q2 production results, emphasising significant upgrades to safety and operations. The report highlights investments in HSE, the energy transition and decarbonisation. Rio Tinto also reported improving iron ore production in the Pilbara for Q2, with 79.5mt produced, up 2% from Q1 of 2024. Safety Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm says the company’s operational performance is continuing to progress. “While there are still significant improvements ahead, we are beginning to see a step-change in production, including from our Queensland bauxite business following the roll-out of the Safe Production System (SPS),” he said. The company saw an injury frequency rate of 0.32 for Q2, compared to 0.37 in Q1 of 2024 and 0.38 for…

All conditions have now been satisfied for Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) investment to develop the Simandou high-grade iron ore deposit in Guinea. This investment will be the largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure investment in Africa. More than 600km of new co-developed rail with port facilities will allow the export of up to 120mtpa of mined iron ore by Simfer and WCS from their respective Simandou mining concessions. Rio Tinto Guinea and copper executive committee lead Bold Baatar says they are thankful for the Government of Guinea, Chinalco, Baowu and WCS for their partnership in reaching this milestone towards developing the project. “Simandou will deliver a significant new source of high-grade iron ore that will strengthen Rio Tinto’s portfolio for…

Stellar Resources (ASX: SRZ) has begun an extensive infill and extensional drill program at the Heemskirk tin project in Tasmania. The first of two drill rigs is onsite to complete a planned 24-hole program at the Seven and Queen Hill deposits. The program is designed to help make the Heemskirk project development ready by providing key technical inputs for the pre-feasibility study. The drilling will also upgrade additional resources to the indicated category, provide samples for metallurgical testwork, extend mineralisation along trend and provide a platform for downhole electromagnetic surveys. Stellar executive chairman Simon Taylor commented on the drill program. “This is a pivotal moment for Stellar Resources as we commence a significant infill and extensional drilling program at our…

The Federal Government is rolling out the initial phase of the internationally-recognised Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme to measure and certify emissions intensity across supply chains and support the development of Australia’s green industries. A crucial component of the $22.7b Future Made in Australia program, the scheme will replace the RET in 2030 as the framework for certifying renewable electricity. NSW Assistant Climate Change and Energy Minister Jenny McAllister says “the Guarantee of Origin scheme is the most important green industry program you never heard of”. “As the world decarbonises, it will be increasingly important for businesses to be able to account for the carbon emissions associated with their products,” she said. “Guarantee of Origin is a key to new…

Underground mining contractor PYBAR has been awarded a four year contract to provide services at the Eloise copper mine complex in Queensland. Valued at $149m, the contract involves delivering the 3km underground link drive for the Jericho and Eloise decline which lies 125m below surface, plus 600m of development for stockpiles. Owned by AIC Mines (ASX: AIC), the Eloise mine was commissioned in 1996 and since then has mined over 13.5mt of ore grading 2.8% copper and 0.8g/t gold to produce 350kt of copper and 180koz of gold in concentrate. Current operations consist of an underground mine accessed via decline. The upper levels are extracted by longhole open stoping while the lower levels are extracted by sublevel caving. The Eloise…

Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will develop an 80MW solar farm on Ngarluma Country near Karratha, WA. The project will supply renewable energy to Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations in the Pilbara region and is expected to be located next to Rio Tinto’s Yurralyi Maya power station. This marks an essential step in Rio Tinto’s energy transition. Rio Tinto estimates 600MW to 700MW of renewable energy is required by 2030 to displace the majority of gas use across its Pilbara power network, with additional renewable energy required for widespread fleet electrification after 2030. Rio Tinto rail, port & core services managing director Richard Cohen says the project underscores the significance of Rio Tinto’s long-term relationship with…

Round two of Pilbara Minerals’ (ASX: PLS) community grants program has opened with community groups eligible to apply for up to $10,000 in funding. Designed to empower local groups that make a difference in their community, the grants program targets projects and events that will improve access to education, build healthy communities and enable the energy transition. Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson says the company is pleased to continued its annual grants program. “We invited applications for grants of up to $10,000 for community projects that align with our priority investment areas of education, community resilience and the energy transition,” he said. “No-one knows what the community needs more than the people who live and work…