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Nickel Industries-Glencore matte sales contract Nickel Industries Limited (ASX: NIC) has entered into a maiden nickel matte sales contract with Glencore AG commencing in January 2024 and running for an initial six-month term. The contract will see nickel matte from Nickel Industries’ Hengjaya nickel project in Indonesia sold to Glencore. Nickel Industries managing director Justin Werner says the company is delighted about this initial Glencore contract. “This contract a maturing of our nickel matte business and an important diversification of our customer base into western markets closely linked with the global EV supply chain,” he said. “Very pleasingly...

Cape Flattery-Eternal Asia MoU to test high purity silica sand Cape Flattery Silica Pty Ltd (CFS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eternal Asia Supply Chain Management Ltd (EA) for the testing of processed high purity silica sand from the CFS project. The MoU between the Metallica Minerals Limited (ASX: MLM) wholly-owned subsidiary and the Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co Ltd subsidiary will also assess its suitability for further processing and value adding using EA’s propriety technology. Metallica executive chairman Theo Psaros says the MoU with Eternal Asia is a great outcome for both parties. “For CFS is...

First feed on for Lynas Kalgoorlie Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) has reached an important milestone with first feed of materials from Mt Weld being introduced into the Kalgoorlie rare earths processing facility. This marks the transition from commissioning phase to first production and ramp up of the facility. Lynas Rare Earths chief executive and managing director Amanda Lacaze says the company is delighted to have achieved first feed on in Kalgoorlie. “This is an exciting milestone as we continue to expand our operating footprint and capacity...

Nickel Industries trials electric vehicles at operations Nickel Industries (ASX:NIC) is trialling electric vehicles (EVs) within its operating fleet as part of its strategy to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035. These vehicles will be deployed across Nickel Industries’ IMIP and Hengjaya operations, with each electric vehicle expected to deliver significant emission savings compared to traditional vehicles. Nickel Industries managing director Justin Werner commented on the electric vehicles. “We are very pleased to announce the introduction of EVs to our operations as we strive to become the world’s pre-eminent global nickel company with an unrivalled platform of diversified, low-cost, sustainably produced nickel products, underpinned by global best...

BHP strengthens partnership with HBIS Group to lower carbon emissions BHP (ASX:BHP) has signed an agreement with one of the world’s largest steelmakers — China’s HBIS Group — in a bid to lower blast furnace carbon emissions. The partnership will see the companies trial direct reduced iron (DRI) production and utilisation of BHP iron ores in blends and progress a separate enhanced lump stage two trial. To support the development of alternate steel production, the companies will trial commercial-scale DRI production using BHP iron ores in blends at HBIS’s newly commissioned DRI plant. The DRI plant uses hydrogen-rich gas byproducts in the steelworks to convert ore into a metallic iron product that is further...

Queensland Pacific Metals produces 62kg of high purity alumina Queensland Pacific Metals (ASX:QPM) has produced more than 62kg of high purity alumina (4N HPA) from the Lava Blue demonstration plant. QPM and Lava Blue recently completed the first campaign of the HPA demonstration plant operation with work aiming to confirm the HPA flowsheet for the TECH project and produce samples for offtake marketing purposes. HPA produced from the demonstration plant has been split into six 10kg blends and has been transported to the United States. These blends have been assayed with results exceeding 4N purity. QPM’s technical and market team have been working closely with a specialised US consultant in...

Northern Territory records highest ever mineral exploration spending of $74.4m The Northern Territory has recorded its highest ever mineral exploration expenditure, with $74.4m spent in the September quarter. This figure is up 30% from the same quarter last year and surpasses the previous record of $71.6m set in the September 2011 quarter. Notably, the Northern Territory’s 30% increase was much higher than the Australia-wide increase of 5%. Mineral exploration in the Territory for 2023 is currently on track to be the highest calendar year expenditure on record. Northern Territory Mining Minister Nicole Manison commented on the growth. “These latest figures show the world is quickly transitioning to renewable energy — and...

The value of data for ESG success Quantitative assessment of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives provides robust and defensible data to support compliance, stakeholder engagement and business sustainability goals. Whatever your pathway to identifying, planning, and implementing your ESG initiatives, environmental monitoring data plays a key role in supporting your decision making. The saying “if you can’t manage it, you can’t measure it” has never been truer. Novecom Pty Ltd supports businesses in measuring their environmental performance and is a leader in compliance and operational environmental management solutions. Novecom’s innovative approach to environmental monitoring facilitates business operators knowing what their environmental impacts are in near real-time. Social licence to operate is something you earn No longer is maintaining compliance...

New study by Weir highlights big energy saving opportunity in mining Melbourne, Australia – The Weir Group PLC, a global mining technology leader, has completed a comprehensive study that highlights a significant opportunity to reduce energy use and emissions in comminution, the rock crushing process that is key to minerals extraction, and that consumes around 3% of the world’s electrical power each year1. The study shows that replacing conventional technology with innovative new solutions can cut energy use by 40% while also avoiding 50% of CO2e emissions. Speaking...

Komatsu delivers PC4000 excavator to Callide A brand new PC4000 excavator has been delivered at Batchfire Resources Callide mine, built and tested one month ahead of its first start-up. Komatsu worked alongside the Callide team to ensure a successful delivery of the PC4000 which was customised for the unique operational requirements the Callide site and built to withstand Queensland’s harsh mining conditions. Komatsu regional manager – mining equipment Scott Harrington commented on the machine. “This excavator needed to be a tough, high-productivity machine while also offering the highest levels of fuel efficiency and operator safety,” he said. “It was a big feat, but the collaboration between both parties meant a great outcome.” The new...

Rio Tinto to transition to renewable diesel at Kennecott Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) will replace its entire fossil diesel consumption with renewable diesel at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah from 2024. The fleet of 90 haul trucks and all the heavy machinery will begin the transition to renewable diesel from the first quarter of next year, along with consumption from the concentrator, smelter and refinery. This transition will reduce Kennecott’s scope one carbon emissions by around 495ktpa of carbon dioxide, comparable to eliminating the annual emissions of more than 107k cars. Rio is targeting reduction in scope one and two carbon emissions of 50% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. The...