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Battery systems are now in place at the Kwinana Battery Stage Two — a significant milestone for the WA State Government’s plan for cleaner, reliable and affordable energy. Synergy has installed the containerised battery systems at what will become WA’s biggest grid-connected battery energy storage system, providing 200MW of power with 800MW of energy storage. Once completed, the battery system will be capable of powering 37,000 homes across the State for around four hours. Kwinana Battery Stage Two has already created more than 160 jobs during its current construction phase which is expected to be completed late 2024. WA Premier Roger Cook commented on the milestone. “The Kwinana Battery Stage Two is a key part of our energy transition, ensuring…

Multiple high-priority electromagnetic (EM) targets have been identified at AusQuest’s (ASX:AQD) Balladonia project in the Fraser Range region of WA. A 1104km airborne VTEM survey was flown along east-west flight lines spaced 200m apart with a base frequency of 25Hz. Preliminary interpretation of the VTEM data has outlined several strong electromagnetic responses, indicative of potential massive sulphide mineralisation. These responses extend over 300m to 1km in length and are generally discrete in nature. The larger anomalies are considered more likely to reflect graphitic source rocks while the moderate conductive responses that coincide with distinct magnetic lows are considered potential carbonatite targets. AusQuest managing director Graeme Drew says the VTEM survey had generated a series of compelling targets, further elevating the…

Assay results from Lefroy Exploration Limited’s (ASX: LEX) diamond drilling program at the Goodyear nickel deposit near Kambalda in WA’s Goldfields region have returned highly elevated values in hole GYD040. The drillhole returned a highly elevated nickel intersection of 1.2m @ 10.01% Ni from 278.71m within massive to semi-massive sulphides. Lefroy Exploration managing director Wade Johnson says the high-grade nickel intersection in the first hole of the program is a very good start to the exploration campaign at Goodyear. “The intersection in GYD040 is one of the highest grade intervals of nickel mineralisation known at Goodyear, with our first drillhole intersecting massive sulphides on target and as modelled,” he said. “This further demonstrates and supports the quality of previous drill…

Cummins Range, a subsidiary of RareX (ASX:REE), has partnered with Newhaul to provide product haulage and logistical support for the Cummins Range rare earth and phosphate project. A term sheet lays out the binding obligations to define forecast operational costs in support of definitive feasibility studies for the project and to reach a binding haulage contract before the end of FY24. Furthermore, the terms bind Newhaul to immediately establish a special purpose vehicle (JV Co) to provide haulage services to the Cummins Range project and provide an option for Cummins Range to enter the joint venture by acquiring 50% of the shares in JV Co for $1 plus the value of the tangible assets of the JV (the option). The…

Neometals’ (ASX:NMT) joint venture company Primobius has received a purchase order from Mercedes for a hydrometallurgical refining hub. A 50:50 joint venture between Neometals and SMS group, Primobius is an incorporated battery recycling company commercialising a patented lithium-ion battery (LiB) recycling process. Valued at $30.8m (€18.8m) the purchase order was awarded as part of a cooperation agreement with Mercedes. Under the agreement, Primobius is responsible for the engineering, equipment supply and installation of a 2500tpa fully integrated, closed loop Mercedes LiB recycling pilot plant. The hub is designed to match the capacity required to process intermediate feed material generated from the front-end refining Spoke. The Mercedes pilot plant marks the automotive company’s entry into the field of LiB recycling. The…

Mineral Resources (MinRes) has contracted an Indigenous-owned business to provide its services for WA’s first fly in, fly out (FIFO) resort. Under the four-year contract, BriJarCass Security will initially provide utility services at the 500-room Ken’s Bore Resort in the Pilbara which is being constructed as part of MinRes’ flagship Onslow Iron project. Established in 2010, BriJarCass provides employment opportunities for Indigenous people with a particular focus on Thalanyji and other local Indigenous people. The contract with MinRes will support the company’s growth with at least nine jobs to be created to boost the team. BriJarCass project manager Hayley Hays says this is a great opportunity to grow the company. “We are looking forward to expanding and can’t wait for…

A vanadium flow battery has arrived in Fremantle, WA, and will now be subject to factory acceptance testing (FAT). The battery forms an important part of the vanadium flow battery (VFB) project being undertaken by Australian Vanadium’s (ASX:AVL) subsidiary, VSUN Energy for Horizon Power. In 2023, Horizon Power entered a partnership with VSUN Energy to purchase its first VFB. The VFB was supplied by global manufacturer Invinity Energy Systems. This battery will be used for a long duration energy storage pilot in Kununurra, WA. The 22kWh battery, which can deliver up to 78kW of power, will undertake FAT in early 2024. During this process, VSUN energy will host a number of industry participants to view the battery. Testing of the…

Lithium explorer Kali Metals (ASX:KM1) has begun trading on the ASX following a $15m initial public offering (IPO). Under the IPO, 60m shares were on offer at an issue price of 25 cents per share, representing around 41.26% of company shares. An Australian resources company, Kali Metals has a portfolio of lithium exploration projects across WA, NSW and Victoria. Kali’s portfolio comprises of the DOM’s Hill, Marble Bar, Pear Creek, Higginsville, Jingellic and Tallangatta lithium projects. Notably, Kali’s WA lithium tenure is located adjacent to some of the world’s largest hard rock (spodumene) mines and deposits. Kali will use the money from the IPO to explore and develop its lithium exploration tenure, fund IPO expenses and listing costs, and fund…

Kimberley Mineral Sands (KMS) completed its first shipment of about 300t of non-magnetic (zircon) concentrate from the Thunderbird project in northwest WA over the weekend. With production commencing ahead of schedule in Q4 CY23, KMS was able to ship its bagged product via Port Hedland to three existing offtake customers. KMS is a joint venture company equally owned by Sheffield Resources Pty Ltd (ASX: SFX) and YGH Australia Investments Pty Ltd (Yansteel). Sheffied Resources executive chair Bruce Griffin says the company congratulates the Kimberley Mineral Sands team. “ thank our offtake customers for this milestone achievement of first revenue for the Thunderbird mineral sands mine, and with KMS production ramp up progressing very well, we look forward to delivering further…

The first shipment of high-grade direct shipping ore (DSO) from the Kolosori nickel project has been completed. Loading of the first 60,000t bulk carrier was completed on December 25, 2023, with a loading rate of around 10,000tpd achieved in line with the expected rate. The ship departed the site on December 26 to offtake partner Glencore with the DSO having an average nickel grade of over 1.75% nickel. Pacific Nickel (ASX:PNM) has now received its first payment of 85% of the value of the first shipment from Glencore with the remainder to be paid upon the receiving of the cargo at port. The company is now focused on the ramp up to full ore production which is expected to take…

Global mining services provider Thiess has secured a three-year, $120m contract with GEMCO, a manganese operation on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. The contract, which has a potential two-year extension, includes a range of services critical to GEMCO’s manganese operation. Thiess will supply, operate and maintain the equipment for the pre-strip mining operations, as well as undertaking the design and construction of support infrastructure which includes workshops and related mobile maintenance facilities. Thiess executive chair and chief executive Michael Wright commented on the contract. “This award demonstrates Thiess’ commitment to delivering sustainable mining solutions for our clients, strongly supporting the further development of the local community,” he said. “For Thiess, the continued diversification into different commodities needed for the energy transition…