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Groundbreaking all-electric fleet study boosts miners’ decarbonisation efforts Battery-powered vehicles can offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to underground diesel fleets The decarbonisation of underground mining has received a huge boost from a landmark study, which found that battery-powered vehicles (BEVs) could be a cost-effective and greener alternative to diesel-powered fleets. The Cosmos Underground Electrification Study, which was conducted by mining services company Perenti in collaboration with technology leader ABB and mining and exploration company IGO Limited for IGO’s Cosmos Project, found that replacing diesel vehicles with BEVs could result in significant safety and environmental benefits for miners and mining personnel. The study was one of the first in Australia to comprehensively detail the requirements for underground mine electrification...

Federal Government plans for a stronger, cleaner economy The Federal Government has introduced the new Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 to Parliament. This package will legislate the new National Interest Framework, introduce a robust sector assessment process and outline the Community Benefit Principles intended to encourage new industries that strengthen economic resilience during the energy transition. The National Interest Framework defines criteria for identifying sectors essential to the net zero transformation and where Australia has a genuine comparative advantage. The...

Inaugural MinRes flight takes to the skies Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) new internal airline, MinRes Air, has taken to the skies for the first time with the inaugural flight landing in the Pilbara, WA. On July 2nd, the plane transported MinRes employees and contractors from Brisbane Airport to its Wodgina and Ken’s Bore mine sites. An A319 aircraft completed the 3600km journey in five hours and 40 minutes. The aircraft is decked out in MinRes insignia and was refurbished to provide an extra 25cm of legroom. MinRes executive general manager people,...

First gold pour imminent at East Menzies First gold pour is expected this quarter at the Maranoa deposit within Resources & Energy’s (ASX: REZ) East Menzies gold project in WA. Following the successful capital raising in May, REZ and Lamington Minerals have lodged a mining proposal with the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) in mid-June 2024. The proposal covers a gold vat leach program with ore sourced from the Maranoa strike that was previously identified as an ideal shallow, high-grade gold target to support a vat leach campaign. The campaign will initially target 5kt...

Rio Tinto invests $18.5m in WA based Sovereign Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has increased its shareholding in Sovereign Metals (ASX: SVM) to 19.76%, making it the company’s largest shareholder. Via an option excise, Rio Tinto will invest $18.5m to be used to advance the Kasiya rutile-graphite project in Malawi. This includes progressing an optimisation study for a world-class mine capable of supplying critical minerals to the titanium pigment, titanium metal and lithium-ion battery industries. Sovereign chairman Ben Stoikovich says this investment reaffirms Kasiya’s position as one of the most significant...

Fenix Resources restarts mining at Shine Fenix Resources (ASX: FEX) has restarted mining at its Shine iron ore mine in WA. The approval to proceed with the stage one mine plan at Shine follows a comprehensive review of all aspects of the mine, including the completion of an in-pit drilling program, product sampling, a tender process for mining and processing, and updated resource modelling. Stage one is expected to produce iron ore at a grade of 60% iron with cash costs of $67.50/wmt. Stage two and stage three mine plans will be assessed following further optimisation work with significant opportunity existing for Fenix to extend the...

Rio Tinto promises two new solar farms for energy transition Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has announced its plans for two new 5.25MW solar farms for the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory. Construction will begin in July 2024, with completion scheduled for early 2025. Aggreko will construct, own and operate the solar farms for Rio Tinto for up to 10 years. The solar farms will be built on Rio Tinto leases, following agreement with the Gumatj and Rirratjingu Traditional Owner Groups, and will help transition to a low-carbon future after mining operations cease...

Liontown secures $379m for Kathleen Valley ramp-up Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has secured funding from LG Energy Solution to boost current lithium mining and explore the feasibility of establishing a lithium refinery in WA. The agreement includes a five-year $379m (US$250m) convertible note, increasing total cash balance to about $501m to fund the Kathleen Valley, WA, ramp-up to 3mtpa steady state production. Funding will progress early enabling works in the underground mine to preserve the 4mtpa expansion option on a 2027 timeframe and to support 3mtpa production. The existing offtake agreement has also...

Australian Vanadium completes first phase of optimised feasibility study Australian Vanadium (ASX: AVL) has completed the first phase of the optimised feasibility study (OFS) for the Australian Vanadium project in WA. The first phase of the optimised feasibility study consisted of three milestones with the first milestone comprising of an update to the mineral resource estimate with a 39% increase in the measured and indicated categories. Milestone two was the identification of an optimal location along strike to begin mining along the southern blocks of the project due to higher vanadium and iron concentrate grades...

Chalice Mining signs MOU with Mitsubishi Corporation for Gonneville Chalice Mining (ASX: CHN) has entered a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Corporation to advance development at the Gonneville project in WA. The MOU will see the companies work together during the ongoing pre-feasibility study (PFS) with the intention of forming a potential strategic partnership to develop Gonneville. It establishes a general framework for collaboration on technical, financing, marketing and offtake aspects of the project during the PFS. Chalice is fully funded to complete the PFS which is targeted for mid-2025. Chalice managing director and chief executive Alex Dorsch says the company is...

Civmec awarded $174m in contract extensions Civmec (ASX: CVL) has been awarded $174m in contract and scope extensions for fabrication, manufacturing, construction and maintenance work across Australia. Among these awards is the contract for the supply, manufacture and offsite assembly of a new shiploader for the Dalrymple Bay terminal in QLD to be undertaken at Civmec’s state-of-the-art facility in Henderson, WA. Civmec states the project will create significant opportunities for local employment and subcontracting, reinforcing Civmec’s commitment to contributing positively to the communities in which it...