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Surefire Resources (ASX:SRN) has developed a breakthrough process of extracting vanadium directly from magnetite concentrate at its Victory Bore vanadium project in WA. After a 96-hour leach directly from magnetite concentrate, a vanadium extraction of 91% was achieved. Unexpectedly, an 88% titanium extraction was also recovered. The leach process was applied to pre-treated concentrate, allowing the leach process to effectively scavenge vanadium. This pre-leach treatment is Surefire’s intellectual property. In May 2023, Surefire appointed METS Engineering to undertake an assessment of potential recovery of a high purity vanadium oxide in liquid form, from which a clean high purity vanadium electrolyte could be produced for use in Australasia’s emerging vanadium battery sector. Following a detailed literature search and a review of…

True North Copper (ASX:TNC) has signed binding offtake and toll-mining agreements with Glencore for its Cloncurry copper project (CCP) in Queensland. Under the agreements, Glencore will purchase 100% of copper concentrate from Cloncurry and process up to 1mtpa of Cloncurry ore at its Mount Isa smelter. True North will be entitled to claim 20% Queensland State royalty discount for all material processed through the smelter. The tolling agreement contains customary terms and conditions, including agreed tolling charge and agreed processes for assaying, weighing, sampling and moisture determination. True North managing director Marty Costello says the agreements are a significant milestone for the company. “Executing binding offtake and toll-mining agreements with an industry major such as Glencore is a significant milestone…

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has agreed to buy all electricity from the 1.1GW Upper Calliope solar farm for 25 years to provide renewable power to its Gladstone operations. This agreement will bring more renewable power to one of Australia’s most important industrial hubs and marks a step towards Rio’s climate goal of halving its global scope one and two carbon emissions this decade. If combined with more renewable power and suitable firming, transmission and industrial policy, it could also provide the core of a solution to repower Rio’s three Gladstone production assets — the Boyne aluminium smelter, the Yarwun alumina refinery and the Queensland alumina refinery. Pending development and grid connection approvals, the plant will be built and operated by European…

Bravus Mining and Resources was front and centre at the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys annual community day last week as excitement for the return of footy season builds across regional Queensland. Hundreds of footy fans descended on the Cowboys Training Field in South Townsville on Friday to celebrate the new “blue and grey” line-up and rub shoulders with their sporting heroes. Bravus Mining and Resources Head of Community Kate Campbell said as a Cowboys Platinum Partner, the Bravus team was there in full voice to lend their support – and grab a few autographs themselves. “We’re passionate about supporting organisations, charities, and community groups that are important to our workers and to the communities in north and central Queensland we’re…

In a world where industries constantly evolve and face new challenges, reliable and adaptable shelter solutions are crucial. Allshelter, a leading provider in the dome shelter industry since 1999, has emerged as a beacon of innovation and excellence. With a commitment to quality and a diverse range of products, Allshelter is transforming how businesses approach shelter needs across various sectors. What are Fabric Dome Shelters? Fabric shelters are versatile and durable structures built to protect valuable assets such as equipment, vehicles, or stock and provide a safe space for personnel. Made from a 100% recyclable steel frame with a polyethylene cover, these shelters are extremely strong and able to withstand the harshest conditions. The fabric cover allows for natural lighting…

BHP (ASX:BHP) has announced its second group of six companies to join the BHP Xplor accelerator program. The accelerator program is designed to support early-stage mineral exploration companies in finding the critical resources needed to support the energy transition. It aims to support development across technical, business and operational aspects of the participating companies. Furthermore, BHP Xplor provides BHP the opportunity to access some of the world’s most exciting exploration prospects, enhancing the pipeline of new opportunities which may shape the company’s future asset portfolio. Each of the six companies will receive a grant of up to $760,803 (US$500k) plus access to a network of internal and external industry experts to accelerate growth and build exploration concepts. Over the six-month…

Liontown Resources’ (ASX:LTR) $760m debt funding facility for Kathleen Valley has been terminated due to the recent material decline in spodumene prices. As a result, discussions have begun for a revised, smaller facility and Liontown has been advised by lenders that they remain highly supportive of Kathleen Valley. Due to the recent decline in spodumene prices, significant reductions have been made in short and medium-term lithium price forecasts. As a result, Liontown has begun a review of the planned expansion and associated ramp-up of Kathleen Valley to preserve capital and reduce near-term funding requirements. The review includes examining options to defer the timing of the previously announced 4mtpa underground development work, sequencing adjustments to the mine plan and scope for…

Gold mineralisation has been extended at Lefroy Exploration’s (ASX:LEX) Mt Martin gold mine in WA. As part of the company’s maiden resource expansion drilling program, 29 reverse circulation (RC) holes were drilled to evaluate multiple extensions at depth and shallow gold-bearing shear structures. Holes on the west side of the open pit targeted the northwest plunging ore shoots which are a feature of high-grade mineralisation at Mt Martin. Best results include 35m @ 1.78g/t gold from 209m including 10m @4.32g/t gold from 222m, and 3m @3.74g/t gold from 128m. These results are encouraging and confirm the mineralised structure have significant down-dip continuity that remains open at depth to the west of the existing resource. There is significant potential for the…

Voltaic Strategic Resources (ASX:VSR) has confirmed multiple lithium and pathfinder anomalies at the Akira prospect within the Ti Tree project in WA. A 7.5km strike area of the prospective Leake Spring Metamorphic schist covering the Akria and Morpheus prospects was tested, with results from the latter pending. Samples were collected on a north-northeast oriented lines at spacing of 100m by 80m and 200m by 80m. The samples will be progressively received and reported on over the coming weeks with assays from the Morpheus prospect expected in three to four weeks. Chief executive Michael Walshe says the company is encouraged by the assays. “The initial soil survey results confirm the presence of elevated lithium and pathfinder elements over the same host…

Wabtec’s smart cruise control software for trains, Trip Optimizer, used by the likes of Roy Hill and Pacific National here in Australia, has surpassed a significant milestone, operating trains for more than 1.6b km (1b miles). This is equivalent to more than 40,000 trips around Earth, with 12,000 locomotives using the system worldwide, resulting in 7.7mt in emissions reductions collectively. Wabtec Digital Intelligence president Nalin Jain says the “billion-mile accomplishment is a tribute to our customers and our team of innovators”. “Trip Optimizer has become an integral locomotive operating system and an industry standard for railroads to efficiently manage the performance of their trains,” he said. “It is building upon the rail industry’s leadership as the most efficient mode of…

Perenti’s (ASX:PRN) underground mining businesses have been awarded contract extensions valued at $420m. The extensions include: A 12-month $125m contract extension to continue underground development and production at the Gold Fields Agnew underground gold mine. A 12-month $180m contract extension at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi underground gold mine in Ghana. A two-year $115m contract extension of existing underground development and production work at Roxgold’s Yaramoko underground mine in Burkina Faso. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is pleased with the extensions. “We pride ourselves on enduring relationships, so we are especially pleased to be continuing our relationship with these long-term clients,” he said. “Our Contract Mining division is now led by Gabrielle Iwanow and will continue…