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Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) will acquire the Lake Johnston nickel concentrator plant and tenure and turn it into a lithium processing hub. Owned by Poseidon Nickel (ASX: POS), Lake Johnston lies 185km southwest of Kalgoorlie in WA, covers an area of 86km2 and comprises of one exploration licence and 10 mining leases. To acquire Lake Johnston, Mineral Resources will pay $1m upon execution of a binding heads of agreement with Poseidon, $6.5m on completion of the sale and purchase agreement and $7.4m 12 months post completion. Lake Johnston has front—end capacity of 1.5mtpa and is capable of being converted to treat lithium ores, including dense media separation fines. The asset is licenced to operate to 2041 and has an active…

Thirty new apprentices have started their apprenticeships with BHP Mitsubishi (BMA), coming from a range of different regions across Queensland. This marks the fourth consecutive year there are more female apprentices than males with a mix of school leavers and mature apprentices. Prior to beginning their apprenticeship, each person participates in BMA’s work readiness program at the Emerald TAFE, which focuses on what the program entails and what the apprentices can expect once they begin. BMA apprentice coordinator Andy List welcomed the new apprentices. “It’s been another great intake of apprentices this year and the work readiness program has been a good opportunity to welcome them to BMA and prepare them for their future careers, focusing on safety and explaining…

Australian-based global technical services firm MEC Mining has acquired environmental services company METServe, positioning it as a provider of end-to-end services across the full mining life cycle. The combined service offering will encompass all aspects of environmental services previously provided by METServe including approvals, impact assessment, environmental management, closure and rehabilitation, ecology, social, GIS analysis and cartography. MEC Mining chief executive Christofer Catania says the acquisition complements MEC’s portfolio. “METServe has a 20-year history of working within industry on successful project approvals across the federal, state, and territory levels in Australia,” he said. “It’s exciting to bring METServe into the MEC group, our combined services offerings and mutual focus on supporting our clients as journey partners makes this a fantastic…

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) has awarded a five-year mining services contract to Carey Group for work at its Mt Weld rare earths mine in WA. Upon commencement of the contract — which is expected in April — Lynas will transition from campaign mining to continuous mining over the five-year period to supply ore to the expanded Mt Weld process plant. Under the contract, Carey will mobilise a mining fleet consisting of production drilling, excavation, hauling and auxiliary equipment. Carey will also provide new haul trucks with a focus on technologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity and precision. Carey managing director Daniel Tucker says the company is pleased to work with Lynas. “We are immensely pleased for the opportunity to…

Following the release of its 2023 sustainability report, mining and resources solution provider Thiess is advancing its journey towards sustainable mining, emissions reduction and diversifying its services. Further progress has been made towards the company’s 2025 decarbonisation target with scope one emissions reduced by 21% and scope two emissions reduced by 12% during 2023. These efforts were enhanced by the diversification of Thiess’ commodities and services to rebalance its thermal coal revenue to less than 25% by the end of 2027. Recognising, Thiess has set an additional diversification target to rebalance its portfolio to consist of less than 20% thermal coal revenue by the end of 2030. Thiess executive chair and chief executive Michael Wright commented on the company’s decarbonisation…

WorkSafe Victoria is investigating a fatal mine collapse yesterday at Victory Minerals’ Ballarat gold mine at Mount Clear in the State’s west. A 37-year-old Bruthen man has died and a 21-year-old Ballarat man is seriously injured after a rockfall in the underground mine. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King says her thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man who has died mining. “We must remember this is a dangerous job,” she said. “The prosperity of our nation is the resources sector and it’s built off the hard work of the young men and women, like the young man who has sadly died in this accident. “I expect a full investigation and I know that that will be…

Fenix Resources (ASX: FEX), via its wholly owned subsidiaries, has been appointed haulage and logistics services provider for Gold Valley’s mid-west iron ore operations. Over the next three years, Fenix will provide transport and logistics for 3mt of iron ore product, generating more than $70m in revenue for the company. These agreements are comprised of a haulage and logistics agreement and a port services agreement to cover the transportation and handling Gold Valley’s iron ore products from a new inland port. Under the logistics agreement, Fenix-Newhaul will transport 3mt of iron ore from Gold Valley’s mid-west operations. This will then be delivered by Gold Valley to Fenix’s inland port terminal at Ruvidini rail siding and hauled by Fenix-Newhaul to Fenix’s…

In what is being termed a clean energy breakthrough, CSIRO’s scientists have led an international team to develop a lightweight and flexible solar technology that pushes the boundaries of where solar cells can be used. Where silicon solar panels are typically rigid and heavy, the team have set a new efficiency record with its fully roll-to-roll printed solar cells, which are highly flexible and portable, being on thin plastic films. These printed solar cells can be deployed across urban construction, mining operations, emergency management, disaster relief, space, defence and personal electronics to help meet the growing demand for renewable energy. CSIRO’s Renewable Energy Systems group leader Dr Anthony Chesman says the achievement is the result of more than a decade’s…

Bellevue Gold (ASX: BGL) has officially reopened its namesake gold project in WA after sitting dormant for more than 20 years. The company expects to produce more than 1.8moz of gold over the initial 10-year mine life of the project and with a mineral resource of 3.1moz at 9.9g/t gold, the mine will be one of Australia’s highest-grade gold mines. Bellevue Gold aims to be a net-zero emission site by 2026, with the lowest greenhouse gas intensity of any major Australian gold project. This will allow the company to market ‘green gold’, a product which has the potential to attract a price premium. Wind and solar power are expected to provide up to 80% of the facility’s overall power needs.…

Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR) has entered into a $550m debt facility agreement with a syndicate of international and domestic banks and government credit agencies to fund its Kathleen Valley lithium project through first production and ramp-up to 3mtpa. This comes as the miner announced at the start of this year that the initial commitment of a $760m debt funding package was pulled due to a fall spodumene and lithium prices. The current debt facility provides financial certainty and sufficient time for Liontown to complete the previously announced review of Kathleen Valley’s 4mtpa expansion, including opex and capex requirements. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tonny Ottaviano says the company is very pleased to announce the new debt funding facility.…

An archaeological/anthropological heritage survey has been secured with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) over Raiden Resources’ (ASX: RDN) Andover North project area in WA. The heritage survey is scheduled to begin April 2, immediately after the completion of the Andover South heritage survey. The survey will focus on the areas within the Andover North project area, interpreted to be underlaid by the Andover ultramafic complex which is considered to be a highly prospective host unit for pegmatite mineralisation. Based on historical and recent data, Raiden considers that there exists a high prospectivity for pegmatites on Andover North. Raiden managing director Dusko Ljubojevic says the company is pleased to have secured an additional heritage survey. “We are very pleased to have…