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BHP to receive first CAT 793 battery-electric haul truck The first Early Learner CAT 793 battery-electric haul truck is on its way to BHP before it hits the road at the Jimblebar mine in WA in October 2024. Members of BHP’s operational decarbonisation team recently visited Caterpillar’s Tuscon proving ground to witness the CAT 793 haul truck in action. BHP vice president of operational decarbonisation Dan Heal says this is an exciting time for the company. “It’s incredibly exciting to be here in Tucson seeing this battery-electric truck in action,” he said. “Not only do these trials represent an...

Sandvik introduces DR416iE rotary blasthole drill Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has introduced the electric Sandvik DR416iE, the next-generation i-series rotary blasthole drill. The Sandvik DR416iE joins the Sandvik DR410iE, the Sandvik DR412iE and the Sandvik DR413iE as the fourth and largest electrified rig in Sandvik’s intelligent rotary blasthole range. This drill rig is designed to deliver superior performance and sustainability in demanding mining conditions. It’s ideal for iron ore and copper applications and can drill a hole diameter range of 270mm to 406mm. Powered by a 1044kW electric engine, the electric system of the Sandvik DR416iE incorporates a soft...

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...