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Alcoa reaches key milestones in Alumina acquisition Alcoa Corporation (Alcoa) has reached key milestones in its acquisition of Alumina (ASX: AWC) and expects to complete the transaction on or about August 1, 2024. These milestones include: filing its definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 6, this year, with a shareholder meeting scheduled for mid-July to vote on the transaction; regulatory approvals from Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) for the acquisition on May 13, this year and for which the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not conduct a public review of the transaction; Alumina registering its scheme booklet with ASIC and distributing it to...

Port of Esperance welcomes new iron ore exporter The Port of Esperance has welcomed a new iron ore exporter that will boost iron ore trade by up to 1.5mtpa. In a new agreement with Southern Ports, Gold Valley Iron Ore will be granted access to critical iron ore infrastructure at the port, including rail receival facilities, conveyors, shed space and the ship loader. This marks the first time a second customer has been able to access the iron ore circuit through the port and the first from the Wiluna area. Additionally, long-term customer Mineral Resources will continue to export through the shared infrastructure...

High-voltage technology to supercharge the mining industry Zapping rocks with a high-voltage pulse – similar to a lightning strike – could be the answer to decarbonising the mining industry according to researchers from The University of Queensland. Researchers from UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute have developed and are commercialising high voltage pulse (HVP) technology, which uses a short-pulsed discharge similar to a lightning strike, to selectively break mineralised ores while keeping barren rocks intact. Project leader Dr Christian Antonio says their HVP technology, in the process of being commercialised, could significantly reduce energy consumption and essentially help decarbonise the mining industry. “Mineral processing is the most...

Lithium powered bus steers energy transformation at Pilbara Minerals A 100% electric bus transported its first passengers from the airport to Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora operation in WA’s northwest region today. The new bus, developed in partnership with local Port Hedland business Northfleet, is the first 100% electric major permanent mobile equipment to operate at Pilbara Minerals’ lithium mine, replacing a diesel fuelled bus that is estimated to have used approximately 12,000L of diesel every year. The bus is understood to be the first electric bus to operate in the East Pilbara. Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson welcomes the new addition to the...

Rio Tinto increases Boyne Smelters interest to 73.5% Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will acquire Mitsubishi Corporation’s 11.65% interest in Boyne Smelters, which owns and operates the Boyne Island aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Queensland. On the completion of the transaction, and the recent agreement to acquire Sumitomo Chemical Company’s 2.46% interest in Boyne Smelters, Rio’s interest in Boyne Smelters will increase to 73.5%. The acquisition, which is for an undisclosed price, is subject to various conditions, including approval from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board, and it’s expected to be finalised in the second half of 2024. Upon completion of the transaction, the Boyne Smelter joint partners will be Rio Tinto (73.5%), YKK...

Whitehaven continues support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program Much-loved community initiative, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, is set to continue providing free access to books for children across the Narrabri region after securing funding support from the local community and businesses, including Whitehaven Coal. The free book gifting program is dedicated to inspiring children to love reading from an early age. Each month, enrolled children from birth to age five receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge. Since its inception in Narrabri in 2022, the program has gifted free books to 271 children in the Shire. The Narrabri...

$28m Weir service centre opens in Pilbara, WA The Port Hedland facility is the flagship Enduron high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) service centre in the region. The facility supports major operations in the Pilbara region, including the Iron Bridge project. Port Hedland serves as a critical hub for the mining and resources industry in Australia, driving economic growth and success for the important iron ore region. The new facility bolsters Weir’s national network of sixteen service centres and will support customers and their operations across the Pilbara region. Weir regional managing director Kristen Walsh says the facility will provide best-in-class service while advancing sustainable progress across...

Mineral Resources celebrates 100th candidate to take the wheel in MC driver training program Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) MC driver training program has celebrated the 100th candidate participating in the initiative. Beginning in October 2023, the program upskills people with an existing multi combination (MC) truck licence with the skills and knowledge to drive 330t quad road trains. The program has a 93% retention rate and graduates are placed at Mineral Resources and client sites across the Pilbara and Goldfields regions. (Image source: Mineral Resources) 100th...

Curtin University named as WA’s GreenTech Hub operator Curtin University has been named as operator of WA’s new GreenTech Hub. The hub will help build state-wide capability and capacity in green technologies and services. It will also stimulate growth in skills and knowledge, plus support the creation of jobs and developing new industries. The hub will be operated by Curtin University and is funded as part of the agreement between State Government and Chevron as operator of the Gorgon joint venture, a consortium including the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Osaka Gas, MidOcean and JERA. WA Innovation, Digital Economy and Science...

Mineral Resources to sell minority stake in Onslow haul road for $1.3b Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) is set to sell its 49% interest in the Onslow Iron project’s haul road to Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners for $1.3b. The 150km fully sealed and fenced dual lane haul road links the Ken’s Bore mine site to the Port of Ashburton and is equipped with fibre optic cabling to support Mineral Resources’ autonomous road trains. Mineral Resources will retain majority ownership and exclusive rights to use, operate and maintain the Onslow haul road, ensuring seamless mine-to-ship delivery of iron. Proceeds are payable in cash and comprise upfront consideration of...

Rio Tinto invests $8m for Pilbara land management Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will invest $8m over five years to enhance conservation land management and support Traditional Owner ranger programs in the Karijini and Millstream Chichester national parks. In partnership with WA’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the Pilbara Conservation Project will protect areas of high conservation value and integrate Traditional Owner’s knowledge of the land into conservation land management. This includes weed management, feral animal control and bushfire management at Karijini, Millstream Chichester and other high conservation value Pilbara sites, through implementation of the Pilbara Conservation Strategy....