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The WA State Government has released an important consultation paper in its efforts to refocus activities in the rapidly evolving battery and critical minerals sector. Since the introduction of the Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy in 2019, WA has seen rapid growth of value-adding battery and critical minerals industries. Since then, nickel sulphate and lithium hydroxide (the key chemicals in lithium-ion batteries) refineries have been established, plus two downstream rare earth processing plants. As stakeholder input is vital in identifying priority actions to support industry development, a consultation paper seeking feedback to inform the refreshed strategy is now available. The refreshed strategy aims to further grow WA’s battery and critical minerals industries with an emphasis on increasing domestic value-adding and…

Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational health and safety challenges confronting mines across Australia. Whether it’s blasting or crushing practices, the use of earthmoving machinery, or mineral processing applications, mine operators are subject to unavoidable noise generation. This excessive noise can result in workers’ compensation claims as a result of deafness and the impact on quality of life. Settling these claims presents an expensive proposition for mining companies. Reducing the prevalence of this problem reduces the healthcare cost burden placed on companies, which means they can allocate more of their capital to resource extraction and less on compensation. However, detecting hearing loss is difficult as it builds up gradually over time as workers are exposed to noise.…

IMDEX-Krux partnership set to improve productivity in exploration and production drilling. Increasing Productivity in Exploration and Production Drilling A partnership between leading global mining-tech company IMDEX and drilling analytics market leader Krux is driving a digital transition to improve productivity in exploration and production drilling. With recent figures revealing a reduction in metres drilled despite record mineral exploration spending, IMDEX and Krux say it is time for the mining industry to embrace technology that will deliver better outcomes. IMDEX chief executive Paul House says the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures for the June quarter shows a reduction in metres drilled against a June spending record of $1.069b, revealing the productivity gap facing the mining industry. While the figures were…

Legacy Iron Ore Limited has commenced mining at its Mount Celia Gold operation, about 95km south of Laverton, following the receipt of all final statutory approvals and the signing of a mining contract with Bain Global Resources. Surface and mine infrastructure works are well-advanced, with pre-stripping already commenced and ore mining to commence in Blue Peter pits in the weeks ahead. Legacy chief executive Rakesh Gupta says this marks a significant achievement in the evolution of Legacy Iron Ore. “ from an explorer to a producer, with this being our first mining operation as we unlock the potential value of the company’s South Laverton gold projects,” he said. Mr Gupta acknowledges the company’s shareholders, including NMDC Limited,…

Sandvik is celebrating 1000 deliveries of its 51- and 63- metric-ton trucks, Toro TH551 and TH663. The 100th truck, a Toro TH663i for a mine in Portugal, recently rolled off the production line in Finland for a delivery ceremony. Sandvik’s load and haul president Patricio Apablaza commented on the milestone. “Sandvik and our Turku factory have achieved this milestone through more than a decade of committed work, customer collaboration and continuous innovation,” he said. The Toro TH551 and TH663 trucks were born from a customer workshop in Perth with customer collaboration and engagement present in the early stages of product development to ensure the trucks met customer needs. Sandvik also tapped into its global network of technical expertise to harness…

Newmont Corporation has acquired Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) to create the world’s leading gold company. This expansion of Newmont’s portfolio will include operations with scale, margin and mine life to generate robust and lasting returns for decades while supporting best-in-class sustainability performance.   Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer says this marks a historic milestone for the company. “Today marks a historic milestone in our company and the industry with the successful completion of this transformational acquisition of Newcrest by Newmont,” he said. “Our attention now turns to safely, efficiently and responsibly integrating Newcrest’s assets and people into Newmont’s proven operating model, so we can accelerate the delivery of our value-focused strategy for all our stakeholders.” The acquisition of Newcrest…

Working at heights presents many unexpected dangers. A dropped object, no matter its size, weight, or the height it falls from, can be disastrous and negatively impact productivity, operational costs, and the lives of site personnel. Mines, oil and gas platforms, refineries, power generation and petrochemical plants, civil infrastructure projects, and food processing facilities, demand quality, reliable, and engineered systems that protect workers day-in day-out. Although many different types of dropped object prevention systems exist, only one patented system has proven itself for over a decade. Invented by BLH Safety Solutions founder Shane Gill, Stop DropTM Barricading is the original dropped object prevention solution used by the world’s largest oil, gas, energy, and mining companies. With patents in over 50…

Technology that safeguards Aboriginal heritage and environmental sites will be installed in a fleet of drilling rigs at a large exploration drilling company. Kalgoorlie-based Topdrill’s wholly-owned subsidiary JBC Contracting will roll out GeoMoby’s Protect technology to 30 drilling rigs across its Australian operations. The technology uses location services including GPS, fusion sensors and patented live tracking algorithms to geofence sites and trigger an alert if users enter or come within close proximity of a heritage site. This also works in remote areas with no connectivity. GeoMoby director Mathieu Paul says the company is delighted to be collaborating with one of Australia’s largest and most professional drilling contractors. “We look forward to working together with Tim Topham and the team, using…

The potential for using clean ammonia to refuel ships, especially iron ore carriers visiting the Pilbara region of WA, is one step closer with key results from a groundbreaking feasibility study showing that safe ammonia bunkering is both economically and operationally viable. Results also show the demand for ammonia as a fuel to decarbonise the international iron ore trade could reach a volume of 1-1.5mt in 2035. The study, commissioned by Yara Clean Ammonia (Yara) and Pilbara Ports, was undertaken by Lloyds Register, and looked at key areas including the estimated demand and likely availability of ammonia as a replacement shipping fuel, including the potential risks and regulatory requirements for ammonia bunkering (refueling) at the ports. Yara Clean Ammonia senior…

China is Queensland’s largest goods export market, valued at $23.7b in the 12 months to September 2023, and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will next week lead the largest ever trade mission in the State’s history to China to showcase the best that Queensland has to offer the world. The five-day mission to Shanghai and Beijing follows visits from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, WA Premier Roger Cook and Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas. It will include more than 100 delegates from the education, business, agriculture, trade and tourism sectors. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says this comes at a pivotal time in Australia’s history with China. “Trade restrictions are easing, and international visitors have begun arriving on our shores for the first time…

Woodside Energy’s (ASX:WDS) revegetation proposal has been invited to stage three of the WA State Government’s carbon for conservation proposal process. This proposal involves the planting of native species is specified areas within the Gnangara-Moore River State Forest and Karda Block in the Midwest of WA. Planting would include native species appropriate for the Carnaby’s black cockatoo with the expectation this will bring biodiversity and carbon sequestration benefits to the area. This proposed project builds on Woodside’s new environment and biodiversity policy, highlighting the company’s increased focus on environmental and biodiversity management and outcomes moving forward. Woodside executive vice president of new energy Shaun Gregory says the company is pleased to have the opportunity to work with the WA State…