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Orica (ASX: ORI) held a 150th anniversary gala last week in Melbourne, Victoria to celebrate its milestone with customers, partners, officials, retirees and employees. Founded in June 1874 as an explosives supplier, Orica has grown to become one of the world’s leading mining and infrastructure solutions providers with a market capitalisation nearing $9b. Orica chairman Malcolm Broomhead reflects on the company’s rich and impactful history. “From our explosive beginnings to our global presence in more than 100 countries today, Orica has been an integral part of the Australian and international manufacturing industry, creating products that have transformed everyday life,” he said. “As we celebrate 150 years, we look back at a story of resilience, innovation, and the unwavering commitment of…

Australian uranium company Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN) will acquire 100% of Fission Uranium Corporation in a move to bring Fission’s Canadian uranium mine into production by 2029. The transaction will create a globally significant uranium company listed on both the ASX and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) worth $5.25b (US$3.5b). The acquisition follows the restart of Paladin’s Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia as well as the release of Fission’s feasibility study for the Patterson Lake South (PLS) uranium mine in Canada’s Athabasca Basin region. Paladin chief executive Ian Purdy says the acquisition is part of their strategy to diversify and grow into a global uranium leader across Canada, Namibia and Australia. “Fission is a natural fit for our portfolio with the…

Kaiser Reef (ASX: KAU) is set to divest its NSW exploration assets to unlisted public company HearMeOut for up to $3.62m. Kaiser Reef is divesting the Stuart Town group of tenements as well as the Macquarie North tenements. Although the company considers the tenements to be highly prospective for gold mineralisation, it will focus on near-term gold mining growth opportunities across its Victorian production and exploration assets. Kaiser will retain exposure to the NSW projects with a 20% free carried interest until a decision to mine is made. Subject to satisfaction, due diligence, ASX approval, HearMeOut completing a capital raising and various regulatory approvals, Kaiser will receive a $25k exclusivity fee, $1.1m in HearMeOut scrip, $500k reimbursement for past exploration…

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Northern Territory Government, Avenira (ASX: AEV) and Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) has been extended to June 30, 2025. Initially executed in September 2022, an MOU was signed between the three parties to work towards the development of a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cathode manufacturing facility. The Northern Territory Government would assist and advise in relation to necessary infrastructure, including water, energy, power, telecommunications, road, port, rail access and service requirements. A bankable feasibility study is expected to be completed in December 2024, a revised project proponent proposal will be submitted in March 2025 and an interim agreement for plant site allocation will be executed in June 2025. Following the completion of a…

With 63km of pipeline laid, the halfway point of construction for the $983m Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline in Central Queensland has been reached. The pipeline supported by $311m in the 2024-25 State Budget, will deliver long term water security to Gladstone and boost the emerging hydrogen and critical mineral industries. Queensland Premier Steven Miles says the pipeline will secure Queensland’s position as a renewable energy powerhouse. “The Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline isn’t just bringing water security to Gladstone, it will unlock more jobs in emerging industries like hydrogen and critical minerals, which are vital to our Energy and Jobs Plan,” he said. “This pipeline will help secure Gladstone’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse, but right now the project is…

Alkane Resources (ASX: ALK) announced increased gold production above 100,000ozpa with strong resultant cash flow in a five-year plan for its Tomingley gold operations in NSW. Production will be sourced from underground and open cut mining, with 455,000 to 505,000oz of gold expected over the next five financial years. This increase follows plans to realign Newell Highway and expand the existing processing plant to a nominal 1.5mtpa rate through 2025. Alkane will fund the $89m realignment and expansion through cashflow and debt with a final investment decision expected in early 2025. Alkane managing director Nic Earner says Alkane is looking forward to delivering over the next five years. “Tomingley has a big future ahead of it. Our five-year plan details…

Venture Minerals (ASX: VMS) is selling its wholly-owned subsidiary, Venture Iron, to Gold Valley Brown Stone. Venture Iron is the holder of the Riley iron ore mine in Tasmania which has been on care and maintenance since 2021. The sale isn’t subject to any conditions precedent and it’s expected to be completed on July 8, 2024. Upon completion of the sale, Venture Minerals will transfer 100% of the shares in Venture Iron to Gold Valley for $3m, of which $50k has already been paid as a deposit. Venture Minerals and Gold Valley will work together to transfer various governmental approvals required for the continued operation of the Riley iron ore mine. Furthermore, Gold Valley will replace Venture’s $585k bank guarantee…

Renascor Resources (ASX: RNU) has begun an early contractor involvement (ECI) process with two engineering and construction firms for its proposed Siviour Mine and Concentrator in South Australia. The contracts are with GR Engineering Services and Primero Group. The ECI process will focus on the progression of engineering and maturation of the design of the minerals processing plant and non-processing infrastructure for the upstream portion of Renascor’s planned vertically integrated battery anode material graphite mine and manufacturing operation (BAM project). New work will build on work already undertaken as part of the definitive feasibility-level battery anode material study and will include process design improvements. Improvements include adjustments to the flowsheet parameters of the mineral processing plant to increase the production…

The search for materials needed to support the renewable energy transition and make technology products is heating up across Victoria. Victoria has demonstrated presence of antimony, titanium, zirconium and rare earth elements, as well as opportunities for other key raw materials such as copper, silica and high purity alumina. New exploration licences have been granted across the State to target these minerals and metals, in particular, antimony, zircon, copper and mineral sands. The Earth Resources Regulator has approved 50 new mineral exploration licences in FY24, with six granted in June so far. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, exploration spending across Victoria for the year to March 2024 was over $130m. Resources Victoria chief executive Matt Vincent commented on…

The WA Government has signed a collaborative agreement with Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) to establish a wind energy industry support program. As part of the State’s Wind Turbine Manufacturing Initiative, $8m will be committed to establishing the program which will assist local businesses in their pursuit to manufacture and service wind turbine components and power up WA’s energy capabilities. WA Minister assisting the State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Stephen Dawson says the program will support the local manufacturing industry to enter new supply chains and boost WA’s clean energy transition. “In 2023, wind accounted for nearly 34% of Australia’s renewable power generation and this is expected to increase significantly in coming years,” he said. “We have…

Representatives from some of the world’s biggest mining, steel and energy companies have met in Adelaide for a major forum of companies interested in South Australia’s green iron and steel future. This comes as the State Government outlines a path to be a leader in the global decarbonisation of iron and steel, and follows the release of its green iron and steel strategy. The strategy outlines three objectives and nine key actions the Government will lead to establish a world-leading green iron industry and supply chain in South Australia, including the ambition to facilitate a new hydrogen-based green iron plant in the State by 2030 or earlier. More than 150 organisation were registered to attend the forum on June 20,…