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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....

MTM Critical Metals and Murdoch sign MOU for FJH technology MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) and Murdoch University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to investigate research opportunities for metal extraction. Under the MOU, MTM and Murdoch will examine ways to use flash joule heating (FJH) technology to develop new research in mineral extraction and processing to enhance the recovery of metals and minerals. The two parties will aim to establish research programs and infrastructure at Murdoch for testing mineral waste streams and developing new mineral processing solutions for primary ores. MTM will also leverage Murdoch’s experience to research and commercialise FJH...

Aggreko launches second RAP with Cathy Freeman as special guest Aggreko launched its second Innovate Reconciliation Plan (RAP) during National Reconciliation Week (NRW), with special guest speaker Cathy Freeman. Aggreko launched its first RAP during National Reconciliation Week 2020, which provided the blueprint for the organisation’s commitment to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, acknowledge the history and build closer relationships. To commemorate the milestone of being one of the first companies in the hire and rental industry to begin its second RAP, Australian Olympian Cathy Freeman was invited to deliver a keynote speech to employees and key customers. Chef Nornie Bero...

Mineral Resources dims artificial light use at Onslow iron Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) is taking steps to minimise impacts on marine fauna at its Onslow iron project in the West Pilbara, WA. While appropriate lighting is important for working safely at night, artificial light can sometimes disrupt the natural behaviours and activity patterns of native fauna – potentially leading to adverse impacts. For marine turtles in particular, artificial light can cause disorientation among hatchlings. To minimise, monitor and manage artificial light spill and its potential environmental impacts, Mineral Resources prepared an Artificial Light Management Plan...

Rio Tinto to develop BioIron™ R&D facility in WA Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will invest $215m (US$143m) to develop a research and development facility in WA to further assess the effectiveness of its low-carbon ironmaking process, BioIron™. The development of the facility, located in the Rockingham strategic industrial area, follows successful trials of the ironmaking process in a small-scale pilot plant in Germany. BioIron™ uses raw biomass and microwave energy instead of coal to convert Pilbara iron ore to metallic iron in the steelmaking process. When combined with renewable energy and carbon-circulation by fast-growing biomass, BioIron™ has the potential to reduce carbon emissions...

Tivan and Glen Hill sign HOA for Speewah Tivan (ASX: TVN) has signed a heads of agreement (HOA) with Glen Hill Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation (GHPAC) to further opportunities for collaboration at the Speewah project in WA.   GHPAC holds the Glen Hill pastoral lease and is the sole sub-lessee of the Doon Doo pastoral lease, both of which are located in or near the area surrounding Speewah.  Under the agreement, Tivan and GHPAC will explore potential opportunities for regional collaboration which includes:   Early works programs for Speewah including the access road from the Great Northern Highway to the fluorite and vanadium deposits   Shared infrastructure that...

Sandvik and Byrnecut partner for diesel-electric equipment Byrnecut and Sandvik have partnered to develop new diesel-electric mining equipment with the aim of boosting sustainability, efficiency and productivity underground. As part of an agreement signed at The Electric Mine 2024 conference in Perth, the companies will work together to develop underground loaders and trucks featuring electric drivetrains. Byrnecut Australia managing director Pat Boniwell welcomed the collaboration. “Diesel-electric equipment has a proven ability to combine the low-maintenance benefits of electric machines with the flexibility of diesel,” he said. “We have a long association that will help shape the new Sandvik diesel-electric range. “We’re also looking...

Komatsu WA475-10 wheel loader arrives in Australia Komatsu’s WA475-10 wheel loader has arrived in Australia and is ready to be put to use across quarry and waste sites. The 26-wheel loader saves 30% more on fuel efficiency that the previous model and is suitable for any hauling or loading jobs. Komatsu Australia national business manager Nick Vrontas says the upgrades on the WA475-10 make it an appealing addition to fleets. “The WA475-10 features the newly developed Komatsu’s hydraulic mechanical transmission (KHMT), an innovative solution that makes the loader more powerful and more fuel-efficient,” he said. “Variable speed control allows operators to adjust the machine’s top...

BHP walks away from Anglo American takeover BHP (ASX: BHP) has confirmed it does not intend to make a firm offer for Anglo American after its first three were rejected. Chief executive Mike Henry commented on the update. “BHP will not be making a firm offer for Anglo American. BHP is committed to its capital allocation framework and maintains a disciplined approach to mergers and acquisitions,” he said. “While we believed that our proposal for Anglo American was a compelling opportunity to effectively grow the pie of value for both sets of shareholders, we were unable to reach an agreement with Anglo American on our specific...

NSW launches support framework for coal-producing communities The NSW Government has launched the proposed model for the Future Jobs and Investment Authorities to support workers and communities for a future after coal mining. Led by the Future Jobs and Investment Advocate, the framework will play a central role in supporting the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West regions as coal mines and coal-fired power stations close in the coming decades. By 2040, it’s expected that all four of the State’s coal-fired power stations and 32 of the 39 coal mines will close. The Future...

Australia and the EU strengthen critical minerals partnership Australia and the European Union (EU) will work closer together to strengthen the supply of critical minerals. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell, Federal Resources Minister and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King, EU executive vice president and commissioner for trade Valdis Dombrovskis and EU commissioner for the internal market Thierry Breton. The partnership provides a platform for deeper links between Australia and the EU’s critical and strategic materials supply chains, greater science, technology and innovation collaboration, plus the development of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards....