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The Federal Government will co-invest $330m to reduce industrial emissions and support the ongoing domestic production of key inputs into clean energy projects. Under the Powering the Regions Fund, nine projects will receive a portion of the funding with the projects to cut yearly emissions by 830kt – the same as taking over a quarter of a million cars off Australian roads. The funding includes $197m to maintain Australia’s domestic manufacturing capability in cement and aluminium. Grants include, $94m to Queensland Alumina to reduce energy use, $52.9m to Cement Australia to reduce coal consumption and $50m to Adbri to reduce emissions intensity and reliance on imports. A further $134m will support six decarbonisation projects covered under the Safeguard Mechanism which…

CIMIC Group (ASX: CIM) has increased its ownership in global mining services provider Thiess to 60%. The $320m acquisition has increased CIMIC’s shareholding by 10%. CIMIC executive chairman Juan Santamaria says the increase will strengthen the company’s profile. “Increasing our ownership of Thiess strengthens CIMIC’s business profile, as it grows its commodities portfolio to include metals and minerals critical to the world’s shift to zero emissions and develops services to enable sustainable mining, reflecting the strategic importance of the energy transition to CIMIC,” he said. “Thiess is a well performing business underpinned by long-term, low-risk contract, providing an annuity-style income stream and stable cash flows.” In 2020, CIMIC sold 50% of Thiess to Elliott Advisors with a put option back…

Anglo American has confirmed it has received an unsolicited, non-binding and highly conditional proposal from BHP (ASX: BHP). BHP confirmed that on April 16, 2024, it made a proposal to Anglo American’s board of directors comprising an all-share offer for Anglo American. Under the proposal, Anglo American shareholders would receive 0.7097 BHP shares for every Anglo share, plus ordinary shares in Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore. The deal represents a value of $48.04 (£25.08) per Anglo American share, $9.31 (£4.86) in Anglo Platinum shares and $6.51 (£3.40) in Kumba shares, valuing Anglo American’s share capital of $59.57b (£31.1b). The proposal is subject to customary conditions, including completion of due diligence to BHP’s satisfaction. The statement reads, “The combination…

Industrial Minerals (ASX: IND) has established a maiden exploration target for high purity quartz (HPQ) at its Pippingarra Quarry project in WA. The exploration target is based on results from a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program completed in December 2023 which encountered white crystalline quartz over widths from 12m to 20m. In addition, there is also coarse-grained quartz crystals which form a significant part of the Pippingarra pegmatite and have been observed to comprise more than 30% quartz. Industrial Minerals managing director Jeff Sweet commented on the target. “The Pippingarra exploration target is limited to an area where IND completed RC drilling in late 2023, to the east of the existing open pit,” he said. “There are several quartz outcrops…

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has granted Lycaon Resources (ASX: LYN) consent to mine at the Stansmore project in the West Arunta region of WA. This follows the recent approval by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti granting West Arunta Resources, Lycaon’s subsidiary, permission to access Ngaanyatjarra Central Australia Reserve for the purpose of carrying out exploration activities. Recent discoveries by WA1 Resources (ASX: WA1) and Encounter Resources (ASX: ENR) demonstrated the potential for the West Arunta region to host significant rare earth element and iron oxide copper gold mineralisation. Up to 4.7% niobium pentoxide has been encountered by WA1 Resources around 90km south of Stansmore. Lycaon technical director Thomas Langley says it’s pleasing to receive the consent to…

Pembroke Resources’ $1b Olive Downs coal mine has officially opened in Queensland and a $1m fund has been unveiled. Located in the coal-rich Bowen Basin, Olive Downs includes major infrastructure including a coal handling and preparation plant, rail spur, train load-out facility, coal conveyor, stockpiles, electrical transmission lines, water pipeline and access roads. More than 700 people were employed during construction of the project and an operational workforce is expected to peak at 1000 during production. Pembroke Resources chairman and chief executive Barry Tudor says the company is thrilled to have reached this milestone. “We’re thrilled to have achieved this significant milestone at the world’s newest steelmaking coal mine,” he said. “Our strategy remains centred on collaborating with stakeholders to…

Robotic dogs may soon be deployed across Alcoa’s mining, refining and smelting operations to complete monotonous or dangerous jobs. Thanks to the company’s Information Technology and Automation Solutions team, two prototype robotic dogs are currently undergoing trials at Alcoa’s Huntly bauxite mine, Wagerup alumina refinery and Portland aluminium smelter. While this early testing is designed to identify accessibility and mobility requirements, the ultimate goal is to implement various degrees of automation. This ranges from remote operations through to fully autonomous AI driven technology. Alcoa automation and robotics engineer Remi Hart says automated solutions have been trialled to improve the safety, accuracy and efficiency of completing repetitive and high-risk tasks. “We’re finding solutions to problems that our sites nominate because they…

The Queensland Government has opened a new funding program to help extract critical minerals and reprocessing opportunities in mine waste. The Collaborative Development Program will provide $5m in funding to companies seeking to assess and find ways to extract value from residual materials left behind after the first phase of mining and minerals processing. Finding critical minerals in mine waste serves as a crucial step towards securing the building blocks of a renewable energy future, ensuring sustainable resource efficiency and advancing the transition to cleaner energy technologies. Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart says the State has significant mine waste which has the potential to host substantial mineral resources. “Our first step is assessing what’s out there and…

Castile Resources’ (ASX: CST) Rover 1 iron oxide copper gold project in the Northern Territory has received major project status from the Northern Territory Government. The project received major project status as the Northern Territory Government believes it will be a significant contributor to the Northern Territory by creating direct employment and business opportunities to service providers. Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler commented on the status. “Castile Resources’ Rover 1 project is exciting for many reasons ranging from the economic benefits to job creation and their steadfast commitment to maximising outcomes for the local community of the Barkly,” she said. Located 80km southwest of Tennant Creek, the Rover 1 project spans an area of 1054km2 and remains under explored…

The WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) is funding the creation of PhD scholarships as part of the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program. Administered by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) the scholarships are open to WA university students who are undertaking studies in any of the MARS program focus areas: Creating mentally healthy workplaces – by managing psychosocial hazards and promoting positive practices at work that support mental health and well-being Building a culture of safety and respect – with healthy, safe, gender-equitable, respectful and inclusive workplaces Preparing for workplace safety in future mining – by ensuring all workers are educated and trained in safety, addressing emerging risks and fostering safety…

The Federal Government will provide $400m in loans to Alpha HPA (ASX: A4N) to deliver the country’s first high-purity alumina processing facility in Queensland. Alpha HPA will use Australian-owned intellectual property and technology to process high-purity alumina which is used on LED lighting, semiconductors and lithium-ion batteries amongst other high-tech applications. The loans will be provided by Export Finance Australia (EFA) through the Federal Government’s $4b critical minerals facility, plus the Northern Australia infrastructure facility and EFA’s commercial account. Alpha HPA managing director Rimas Kairaitis says the company is delighted to receive the funding. “We are delighted to receive extensive and attractive financing support from the Australian Government. This financing support represents a comprehensive endorsement of the company’s technology and…