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On April 16, 1934, small farming and roadworks company Thiess Bros began operating in rural Australia and 90 years later the company has grown across seven countries and three continents. In its first year of operations, Thiess successfully tendered for the Kilkivan roadworks job and in 1939 the company was commissioned to complete the excavation work required for the Luna Park entertainment venue at Bowen Hills. In the 40s, Thiess expanded into coal mining with the Heifer Creek cutting, marking a pivotal period of growth for the company, while in the 50s Thiess expanded globally, pioneering in dam construction and reclaiming land. The 60s saw Thiess lead large-scale projects, venture into international markets and diversify into coal exports. During the…

Industry leaders and representatives from Australia, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea will meet in Darwin to discuss critical mineral production, supply chains and economic security. Dubbed the Darwin Dialogue, this collaboration highlights the opportunities and strategic importance the Northern Territory will play in the critical minerals supply chain for Australia and global markets. In 2023, the total value of mineral production in the Northern Territory was $4.86b and demand for the critical minerals is expected to grow rapidly with the increasing transition to renewable energy and battery storage. The Darwin Dialogue will highlight the opportunity and strategic importance the Northern Territory will play in the critical minerals supply chain for Australia and global partners. It presents…

Extensive uranium and base metal targets have been identified at Everest Metals’ (ASX: EMC) Georgina and Amadeus projects in the Northern Territory. Resources Potentials was engaged to undertake modelling and interpretation of existing geophysical data over both projects with the data interpreted by specialist geophysical consultants. The use of modern technology against the geophysical data revealed multiple prospective anomalies and exploration targets. While there were challenges due to the complicated geology, variable regolith and changing structural history at Georgina and Amadeus, high-priority target areas spanning 220km2 were identified. Work at Georgina uncovered a 50km long radiometric target containing very large and high-amplitude uranium anomalies. A high gravity-low magnetic anomaly was also observed in the east that could be prospective for…

Lithium Australia Limited (ASX: LIT) has signed a 2-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Agriflex Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of leading phosphate concentrate producer Centrex Limited (ASX: CXM). Centrex has been actively pursuing value-add opportunities for the Ardmore rock phosphate mine and this MoU represents a potential pathway for mine into the lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery market via the supply of phosphoric acid. Lithium Australia has developed proprietary technology to produce cathode powders, including LFP and lithium manganese ferro phosphate (LMFP). Under the MoU, Centrex envisages the construction of a Queensland demonstration plant of LFP or LMFP by Lithium Australia, with an estimated capacity of 250tpa of LFP or LMFP, requiring about 200-300tpa of phosphoric acid. Centrex Limited…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has begun preliminary development works to support future underground mining at the Mt Marion lithium operation in WA. A contract has been awarded to specialist underground development contractor Develop Global (ASX: DVP) for the establishment of an exploration decline at Mt Marion. Work includes the establishment of surface facilities supporting underground mining activities, installation of underground mine infrastructure, excavating underground capital development and exploration drill platforms, and obtaining geological and operational data for future mining work. Located around 40km southwest of Kalgoorlie, Mt Marion is jointly owned by Mineral Resources and one of the world’s largest lithium hydroxide producers, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. In Q2 FY24, a diamond drilling program significantly increased the confidence in the…

Australian companies are being encouraged to showcase their technologies to aid, on a global scale, with off-world or extra-terrestial exploration. Austmine and AROSE are collaborating with NASA, as the agency looks to the Australian mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) sector for solutions to “space mining”. Shortlisted companies will have the chance to present their solutions at the NASA-USGS Workshop in San Jose, California in May, offering exposure and recognition on an international platform. Over the past year, there has been a notable increase in interest from both the Australian Space Agency and NASA in the mining and METS sector. This heightened interest reflects the recognition of the overlap between space exploration and mining operations, presenting opportunities to expedite future…

WA’s first electric hybrid wheel loader has arrived on site at Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Onslow iron project. The hybrid loader, which is set to undertake load and haul activities at the project, features the full regenerative SR hybrid drive system which feeds power back into the kinetic energy storage system during braking or retarding. This process helps deliver up to 45% less fuel consumption than comparably sized mechanical drive wheel loaders. Loader fit out was completed at the Komatsu workshop in Welshpool with CSI Mining Services, a subsidiary of Mineral Resources, constructing the loader bucket. The loader was then transported to the Ken’s Bore mine site by a 13-line platform and trucks spanning a combined length of 55m. Mineral…

MacMahon Holdings Limited (ASX: MAH) has agreed to sell a substantial portion of its remaining mobile equipment fleet at Anglo American’s Dawson South project, resulting in about $44m in net cash inflows for the mining services company. Macmahon was awarded a three-year $200m surface mining contract at the open cut metallurgical coal mine in July 2021, with the parties currently negotiating a new contract to commence on or before 1 July 2024. Dawson South forms part of the Dawson mine in the southern end of the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, one of Australia’s longest-established coal mines. Macmahon managing director and chief executive Michael Finnegan says he is pleased that the company has been able to “progress MacMahon’s capital light…

Rio Tinto has spent more than $16.1b with suppliers and local Australian businesses in CY23, an increase of 5% from CY22. It was spent with more than 5,800 businesses, including Australian owned and operated businesses and locally owned and managed branches of global companies. As part of the mining giant’s ongoing commitment to support communities where it operates, the spend has contributed to tens of thousands of Australian jobs and delivered a significant economic contribution to communities across the country. Rio Tinto chief executive for Australia Kellie Parker says it is important for the company to assist the communities where it operates so that Rio Tinto can in turn have a long-term future. “We strive to employ locally and buy…

Construction will soon begin on one of Queensland’s biggest battery energy storage systems (BESS), following the Supernode project reaching financial completion. With a capacity of 250MW/2hr, the energy storage system will enable the efficient storage of surplus solar and wind energy and aid in the displacement of coal and other emissions-intensive generation sources. The Supernode project is located near the South Pine electricity substation in Brendale. Origin Energy has committed to the full capacity of stage one of works which involves the construction of the system. Following stage one, a data storage facility is planned to be added to the site. Queensland Premier Steven Miles commented on the construction. “Renewable energy generation and storage like this will power us towards…