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The first gold bars have been poured at Brightstar Resources’ (ASX: BTR) Menzies gold project in WA. This gold pour marks Brightstar’s first gold from the Selkirk joint venture. Brightstar has a 50:50 profit sharing joint venture with BML Ventures to exploit the Selkirk deposit at Menzies which has a mineral resource estimate of 11,500oz at 2.15g/t gold. BML is responsible for all capital costs, mining and haulage, and the joint venture has a toll treating agreement with St Barbara (ASX: SBM) to process ore from Selkirk at Leonora. Brightstar managing director Alex Rovira says the company is thrilled with the maiden gold pour. “We are thrilled to announced Brightstar’s inaugural gold pour from the Menzies gold project, with 38.7kg…

Fenix Resources (ASX:FEX) has hauled, loaded and shipped the first shipment of iron ore from the Twin Peaks direct shipping iron ore project in WA. This first shipment contained 59,275t of +60% iron “Fenix TP lump” direct shipping ore and product from Twin Peaks will boost Fenix’s iron ore production and revenues. In November 2023, Fenix executed an ore purchase agreement with 10M, granting it the right to purchase 500kt of high-grade ore from Twin Peaks. Under the agreement, 10M is responsible for all mining and processing activities up until the ore is loaded onto Fenix haul trucks at the mine site stockpile. Fenix will assume title and ownership of the ore upon collection at the mine gate for consideration…

The first drilling program at the Yundamindra gold project in 10 years is set to begin to follow up outstanding near surface drill intersections. Situated 65km southeast of Leonora in WA, the Yundamindra project is held 80% by Metalicity (ASX:MCT) and 20% by joint venture partner Nex Metals (ASX:NME). Prior to 1970, Yundamindra had high grade production of 74kt @ 19.3g/t gold for 45,000oz with structures hosting visible fine gold mineralisation within laminated quartz veins. Previous significant results include 8m @56.36g/t gold from 44m, 1m @ 48.1g/t gold from 12m and 2m @39.49g/t gold from 31m. The most recent drilling, which was undertaken more than a decade ago, was shallow with this work offering Metalicity an opportunity to confirm and…

Applications are open round 17 of the Northern Territory Government’s Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program with up to $3m in grants available to advance exploration. The grants aim to address geoscientific knowledge gaps, advance exploration activity and support the discovery and development of resources in the Territory. More than half of the $3m will be directed towards projects targeting commodities on the Northern Territory’s critical minerals list which has seen two new critical minerals added — gallium and graphite. A silver-white metal, gallium has multiple uses, including in integrated circuits, lasers and LEDs. This new critical mineral was recently identified in newly discovered rare earth and graphite deposits in the Northern Territory. Graphite also has a multitude of uses, however,…

Effective dewatering is crucial for ensuring the safety and productivity of mining operations, particularly when extracting minerals below the water table or in open mines prone to rainfall. A strong dewatering plan is not only beneficial – it is absolutely essential. Understanding Mine Dewatering Challenges The process of dewatering in mining plays a pivotal role in maintaining safe and efficient working conditions by extracting water from underground and surface areas. Its primary purpose is to prevent flooding, groundwater seepage, and destabilisation of excavation sites. Additionally, it facilitates access to mineral deposits and extraction processes. Dewatering is essential for both open-pit and underground mining operations to prevent equipment damage and maintain productivity. By implementing efficient dewatering strategies, operational efficiency can be…

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) announced its half-year profit before tax increased by 35% to $78.8 million over the previous corresponding period (pcp), a record half–year result for the gold miner.   The miner’s profit increase was buoyed by a rise in sales of 7%, to 60,341 ounces, on the back of a strong six months of operations at the Karlawinda Gold Project.   The Karlawinda Gold Project (KGP), located 65 kilometres south-east of Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, commenced operations in June 2021, and has a 10-year mine life on current reserves.   “The KGP had a strong first half of operations producing 60,099 ounces at an all in sustaining cost (“AISC”) of $1,324 per ounce, consolidating its reputation…

A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has found that a government incentive program would accelerate the adoption of green explosives by miners.  Miners consume about half of Australia’s ammonia through explosives and a shift to green explosives could be done with a minimal increase in operating costs.  The IEEFA report found that by switching ammonia production facilities from fossil gas to green hydrogen Australia could lead the world in the production of green ammonia and lay the foundation for a new green hydrogen industry.  IEEFA Australia chief executive Amandine Denis-Ryan says “ammonia production stands out as a logical early adopter of green hydrogen”.   “Changing these processes is a relatively quick, simple step…

BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL) has announced it is considering its option to weigh in on South32 Limited’s (ASX: S32) plan to sell its Illawarra Metallurgical Coal business.  South32 announced yesterday that it had agreed to sell its Illawarra Metallurgical Coal (IMC) business for $2.53b ($US1.65 billion) as the miner presses ahead with its strategy to move away from coal to focus on zinc and copper.   The BHP spinoff agreed to sell the coal business to an entity owned by Golden Energy and Resources (GEAR) and M Resources, building on GEAR’s metallurgical coal holdings in Australia, in the deal expected to be finalised in H1 FY25.   BlueScope has since released a statement indicating that it may intervene on…

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) led a delegation of companies to Canberra as it continues to press the Federal Government for a production tax credit (PTC).   The delegation included representatives from mining and exploration companies crucial to the critical minerals sector, such as Wyloo Metals, IGO, Australian Vanadium, QEM, Pilbara Minerals, and Tesla.   AMEC chief executive Warren Pearce says the meetings provided “an opportunity to relay the real struggles facing the industry at the moment”.   “It also sends a strong message to the Federal Government that the time for action is now.   “The upcoming Federal Budget provides Treasury with a lever to pull that will reinvigorate the critical minerals sector and help Australia compete further downstream.   “If…

Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX) says its revenue increased by 15% on the previous corresponding period to $363m, a record half year result for the West Australian gold miner.  Westgold also announced its net profit for H1 FY24 came in at $44m, representing a 500% increase on H1 FY23, as gold prices increased 22% on the previous corresponding period.  Although Westgold produced 122,342oz of gold H1 FY24, 5% less than the previous corresponding period, the gold miner says it is on track to achieve its FY24 guidance of 245,000-265,000oz.      Westgold Resources managing director and CEO Wayne Bramwell says “our mines and our people have now delivered four consecutive quarters of positive cashflow, and this lays the foundations to consistently and…

South32 Limited (ASX: S32) has agreed to sell its Illawarra Metallurgical Coal business for $2.53b ($US1.65 billion) as the miner presses ahead with its strategy to move away from coal to focus on zinc and copper.  The BHP spinoff agreed to sell the coal business to an entity owned by Golden Energy and Resources (GEAR) and M Resources, building on GEAR’s metallurgical coal holdings in Australia, in the deal expected to be finalised in H1 FY25.  South32 chief executive Graham Kerr says the deal “will realise significant value for our shareholders and is consistent with our strategy to reshape our portfolio toward commodities critical in the transition to a low-carbon future”.  “It will streamline our portfolio, strengthen our balance sheet…