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ChemX Materials (ASX: CMX) has begun early-stage commissioning of the leach circuit within its HiPurA® high purity alumina (HPA) pilot plant in WA. The leach circuit is part of ChemX’s flowsheet and comprises the first part of the patented HiPurA® purification process. It takes the aluminous chemical feedstock and sufficiently upgrades its purity for the solvent extraction stage. The HiPurA® process produces HPA and high purity alumina cathode precursor salts for lithium ion batteries. It can produce above 4N (99.99%) pure HPA and is low in energy consumption compared to alternative technologies. ChemX received an Australian patent for this technology in January 2024 and it provides intellectual property protection as it seeks to commercialise the technology globally. ChemX chief executive…

The careers of four women in Victoria’s resources sector are being celebrated by the Minerals Council of Australia with the aim to boost female participation in the State’s resources sector. At an awards ceremony held in Ballarat, the 2024 Victorian Women in Resources Awards highlighted four high-performing industry figures who will now go forward to the national Women in Resources Awards in September. S2 Resources’ (ASX: S2R) Fiona Czuczman was named the Exceptional Woman in Victorian Resources. She comes from a geology background and is currently working as a community relations professional. The Outstanding Trade Operator or Technician is Alina Tyler of Deepcore Drilling, while Felicity Davy of Fosterville gold mine is the Gender Diversity Champion. Shannon Brown, who works…

Consultation has begun for the Federal Government’s $13.7b production tax incentives. The production tax credits are designed to incentivise investment in renewable hydrogen, boost production of critical minerals and create jobs and opportunities for Australians. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the tax incentives are essential to the Future Made in Australia package in the Federal Budget. “The global energy transformation represents a golden opportunity for Australia and our production tax incentives will help us make the most of that opportunity,” he said. “Our production tax incentives will unlock new investment and new jobs in renewable hydrogen and critical minerals processing.” Two Treasury consultation papers have been released seeking stakeholder feedback on the proposed Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive and Critical Minerals…

De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) will expand operations at its Hemi gold deposit in WA following strong results from recent drilling. New results extend mineralisation at the Eagle zone by 200m, with mineralisation still open down plunge and along strike. Discovery and resource extension drilling will continue within the Hemi area and at regional targets. Gorrion and Antwerp will see continued exploration with reverse circulation drilling. De Grey exploration general manager Phil Tornatora says this supports the expansion at Hemi. “Further significant intercepts continue to extend Eagle at depth,” he said. “In addition to potential resource increases, deeper drilling at Hemi will support our conceptual studies into potential underground mining in the future. “Deeper diamond drilling is now focussed on…

BHP (ASX: BHP) reports it is on track to reach its 2030 decarbonisation target, with net-zero operations expected by 2050. BHP expects a 30% reduction in operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and has already reduced FY2023 emissions by 30% below the FY2020 baseline. BHP plans to reach its targets through decarbonisation efforts in mining operations and steelmaking and shipping value chains. BHP climate vice president Graham Winkelman says emissions reduction may not be linear. “As we grow to meet increasing demand for our commodities, the pathway to net zero for our operational emissions will not be a straight line,” he said. “Our pathway reflects the dynamic nature of the assets we operate and the availability and readiness of…

New Acland Coal’s (NAC) new Hitachi EX5600 excavator has allowed New Hope Group to accelerate mining activity at New Acland Mine Stage 3 in Queensland. The excavator began work in late June and it’s New Acland Coal’s biggest capital spend since the Queensland Government assessed and approved the Stage 3 project in late 2022. NAC general manager Dave O’Dwyer says the Hitachi EX5600 is the big-brother to the Hitachi EX3600 which has been responsible for the bulk of the earthmoving work at the mine over the past 18 months. “The addition of the Hitachi EX5600 excavator to our mining fleet will fast-track the ramp-up on site,” he said. “In February, we secured all-weather access to Willeroo Pit, facilitating the expansion…

Pure Hydrogen (ASX: PH2) has executed a term sheet with the City of Newcastle, NSW, for the lease of a rear-loading hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) waste collection vehicle. The waste collection vehicle will be supplied by Hdrive International, a subsidiary of Pure Hydrogen, with the body of the vehicle to be supplied and fitted by the Australian division of global equipment provider Bucher Municipal. The truck will run on green hydrogen, a zero-carbon energy source produced by electrolysis using water and renewable energy. As part of its commitment to achieve net zero emissions from vehicles and equipment, the City of Newcastle is undertaking a 12-month trial with the option for a four-year extension. Over the coming four years, the City…

Sheffield Resources (ASX: SFX) has ramped up production and shipments from the Thunderbird mineral sands mine in WA. Production has increased month on month with around 825kt of ore mined in June 2024. For the June 2024 quarter, total ore mined is expected to be 2.2mt, around 20% higher than the operating rate assumed within in the 2022 bankable feasibility study (BFS). The increase production resulted in 55kt of ilmenite concentrate produced in June and 120kt for the quarter, while zircon concentrate was 13kt for June and 33kt for the quarter. Additionally, the wet concentrator plant (WCP) and concentrate upgrade plant (CUP) recoveries are in line with, or above design, resulting in higher than design recovery of both zircon and…

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has expanded its Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) program to Busselton, WA. The VTEC program provides sustainable career pathways for First Nations people and is a key part of Fortescue’s training and development strategy. The program is delivered throughout WA in Perth, Broome, Karratha, Port Hedland and now Busselton. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto says the program is backed by community support. “Fortescue is a leader in its commitment to providing opportunities for First Nations people and the success of the VTEC program is proven by the more than 1,500 First Nations people who have been offered employment since VTEC began,” he said. “I’m pleased to see the program expanding into the South West and…

Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining business Barminco has been awarded a three-year contract extension at AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam underground gold mine in the Goldfields of WA. The contract allows Barminco to continue underground development, production and mining support services to commence from October 1, 2024. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says continuation of contracts is ideal as no new growth capital expenditure is required. “AngloGold Ashanti is one of our largest clients, and we are proud to have worked with them for the past 20 years,” he said. “Perenti has an excellent track record at extending existing contracts which we attribute to our collaborative relationship with our clients. “Successful maintenance of our long-term relationships ultimately supports…

Following strong intercepts, where up to 2925ppm triuranium octoxide was encountered, significant production potential has been confirmed at the Gould’s Dam deposit in South Australia. Gould’s Dam is part of Boss Energy’s (ASX: BOE) Honeymoon uranium mine and the results support the company’s strategy to increase the nameplate production rate and mine life at the mine. The production rate will increase from the current nameplate capacity of 2.45mlbspa to the export permit limit of 3.3mlbspa. A total of 96 mud rotary holes have been drilled to date at the Sunrise and Billeroo targets with other results including 1.25m @ 2877ppm triuranium octoxide and 4.25m @ 2230ppm triuranium octoxide. In light of these results, work has begun on accelerating the development…