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First production achieved at Kathleen Valley The first spodumene concentrate has been produced at Liontown Resources’ (ASX: LTR) Kathleen Valley lithium project in WA. Following progressive commissioning of the process plant, ore has been processed through the entire crushing, milling and flotation circuit, culminating in first concentrate produced. Liontown will now focus on completing the remaining commissioning activities in the non-critical path areas of the plant and finishing construction of critical underground infrastructure. Full nameplate production of 3mtpa is expected by the end of Q1 2025 with lithium recoveries expected to be optimised over the next 12 to 18...

Poseidon pivots to gold Poseidon Nickel (ASX: POS) has identified promising gold targets at all three WA projects as the company looks towards production. A large gold anomaly was defined at Lake Johnston, following the terminated Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) deal. The 1.2km by 0.9km gold in soil anomaly remains open and untested by drilling. Gold rock chip samples at Windarra returned up to 0.37g/t gold and 12.9g/t gold. Windarra contains strike extensions to the main mineralised gold trend which controls nearby gold camps. A potential 6.5km gold corridor was also identified at Black Swan. A metal detecting program has recovered several small gold...

North West Queensland eyes sustainable future The Queensland Government has announced funding to support the implementation of the North West Queensland Regional Transformation Strategy. Following extensive community, local government and industry consultation, the plan identifies key economic strengths and industry priorities based on the region’s unique geography, resources and workforce skills. To kickstart the transformation, the Queensland Government will provide $22.05m from the $200m Regional Economic Futures Fund for 19 Queensland Government and council-led projects. This includes $7.4m for TAFE to deliver renewable energy and critical minerals training, including via Queensland’s first Renewable Energy Training Truck and $750k for a co-designed investment plan to...

Fortescue and COSCO SHIPPING’s MoU for decarbonisation Fortescue (ASX: FMG) and COSCO SHIPPING signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to work together on decarbonising shipping. The companies will explore the construction and deployment of COSCO SHIPPING vessels, or co-owned vessels, powered by green ammonia to reduce the Australia-China iron ore green shipping corridor’s emissions. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto comments on the agreement. “The shipping industry plays a vital role in global trade however also contributes significantly...

BHP and Lundin Mining to acquire Filo Corp for $4.52b BHP (ASX: BHP) and Lundin Mining Corporation have agreed to acquire Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) listed Filo Corp through a Canadian plan of arrangement. Total consideration for the acquisition is $4.52b (C$4.1b) and BHP’s total cash payment for the transaction is expected to be around $3.2b (US$2.1b). This values Filo Corp at $36.36 (C$33) per share, a 32.2% premium to its 30-day volume weighted average price on the TSX. The acquisition will be implemented by a court-approved plan of arrangement and requires Filo Corp shareholders in accordance with Canadian corporate and securities laws. BHP chief executive...

BHP celebrates autonomous operations at Spence BHP’s (ASX: BHP) has celebrated three months of 100% autonomous operations at its Spence mine in Chile. In April 2024, Spence achieved full autonomy after converting its fleet of 33 CAEX 980E-5 AT trucks and five drill rigs, and since then, 80mt of material has been moved with zero safety incidents. A delegate from the Pampa Norte operation, where Spence is located, received executives from Komatsu to celebrate the milestone. In the field, the delegates visited the Spence truck shop and see the results of this first stage of operation. The visit was led by...

UGL reaches milestone in connecting Collie UGL has completed commissioning and readiness for energisation for the construction of Neoen Australia’s Collie Battery Stage 1 in WA. The battery will connect to Western Power’s Shotts Terminal substation, enhancing the region’s power distribution network. Work at Collie battery Stage 1 commenced in April 2023 and is expected to finish later this year. The project encompasses the installation of 219MW/877MWh battery of Tesla Energy Megapacks, coupled with the establishment of a new 33/330kV High Voltage Substation. UGL project manager Diego Cortes Ferrer comments on the progress. “This...

MinRes: record lithium shipments in Q4 Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) reports a productive Q4, with record lithium shipments and high lithium prices across all operations. WA lithium operations Wodgina and Mt Marion both reported record shipments up 41% and 46% respectively from Q4 of 2023. Lithium operations benefitted from high prices, with a weighted average realised price across all operations of about $1479/dmt (US$970/dmt) in Q4, an increase of 15% from Q3. Total quarterly iron ore shipments increased by 6% from Q3 to 18.1Mwmt within guidance, with MinRes delivering its first iron ore on ship ahead of schedule from Onslow iron in WA. MinRes...

First production at Kathleen Valley imminent Construction of the process plant was substantially completed in the June quarter at Liontown Resources’ (ASX: LTR) Kathleen Valley lithium project in WA. Construction of the process plant was substantially complete by the end of the quarter, achieving 99% overall completion. Dry plant After beginning dry plant commissioning ahead of schedule in March, Liontown used the June quarter to focus on increasing throughput and driving circuit optimisations in the crushing circuit to the fine ore bin. At the end of the quarter, 58kt of crushed ore was stockpiled for commissioning the SAG mill and wet plant. Wet plant Efficiently...

Conditions satisfied for Illawarra Metallurgical Coal sale All conditions relating to the sale of South32’s (ASX: S32) Illawarra Metallurgical Coal in NSW have been completed with the transaction expected to be complete in September 2024. In February 2024, South32 announced it had entered a binding agreement to sell Illawarra to an entity owned by Golden Energy and Resources and M Resources for $1.98b (US$1.3b) plus a contingent consideration of up to $533m (US$350m). The sale was subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions which have now been completed. When announcing its intention to sell Illawarra,...

Many Peaks divests Queensland exploration permits Many Peaks Minerals (ASX: MPK) is divesting its 80% ownership in two Queensland exploration permits to focus on its flagship projects in Côte d'Ivoire. The sale is pursuant to a sale agreement entered into with EMX Broken Hill. Simultaneously, Many Peaks has also confirmed it will not be exercising its rights to execute and option to acquire a 100% interest in the Yarrol and Mr Steadman projects in Queensland. The sale agreement and termination of the option agreement are part of Many Peaks’ strategic review which aims to ensure...