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Green light for Queensland phosphate mine The Queensland Government has given the green light to a major phosphate mine in northwest of the State with the granting of mining leases for North West Phosphate’s Paradise South complex. Located 130km northwest of Mount Isa and adjacent to Glencore’s Lady Loretta zinc mine, the complex is expected to create 200 jobs during construction and 245 jobs once operational. Northwest Phosphate executive chairman John Cotter thanks the Queensland Government for their support. “We have worked very closely with the State Government in bringing this very difficult and complex project...

WA resources regulatory process takes major step The WA State Government has made another major step towards streamlining the regulatory approvals process for the resources sector. Introduced in 2022, the Fast-Tracking Mining Approvals Strategy aims to transform the regulation of resource projects through multiple work streams. The WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) is inviting stakeholder feedback on the draft Eligible Mining Activity (EMA) Regulations. The EMA framework will increase the efficiency of applications by introducing a new form of authorisation for certain activities that involve minimal disturbance. Under the EMA, tenement holders will be able to notify the DEMIRS that they will be...

10 Years at the Top Leveltec has been designing and manufacturing tilt switches in Australia since the 1980s but in 2013 the company expanded to become a trusted partner and service agent for a number of world class brands, offering customised solutions for bulk handling control across the mining, steel and Ports industries. They have grown from initially providing switches and hardware to building and implementing systems to monitor the flow of bulk solids, gather data through mainly wireless networks and provide failsafe shutdowns in emergency situations. 2024 marks the company’s 10th anniversary and they are set for exciting new levels of growth and product development in the near future. Tilt switches are...

WA Mining Conference & Exhibition returns this October   WA Mining Conference & Exhibition is Western Australia’s leading mining technology event, returning to the PCEC this 9 – 10 October. Join thought leaders, experts and academics as they showcase the technological and digital evolution shaping Western Australia’s mining industry. Featuring a highly targeted paid conference, a free-to-attend seminar, a networking function and 100+ solution providers across the entire value chain – WA Mining is a must-attend event to experience the forefront of mining innovation. Key themes include: Future Technology Innovative Technology ESG Decarbonisation Cyber & Analytics Tickets launching soon – pre-register now. WA Mining Conference & Exhibition Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre (PCEC) 9 – 10 October 2024 www.waminingexpo.com.au

Albanese: Landmark $566m drives critical mineral exploration Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this morning landmark funding of $566m to drive critical mineral exploration around Australia over the next 10 years. An additional $100m will go towards speeding up the current environmental approvals process across states and territories for renewables and critical minerals. Prime Minister Albanese says next week’s Federal Budget will invest in a new era of mineral exploration. “We will fund the first comprehensive map of what’s under Australia’s soil – and our seabed,” he said. “Meaning we can pinpoint the new...

Propulsion and manoeuvrability trials completed for Fortescue Green Pioneer Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has successfully completed propulsion and manoeuvrability trials of the Fortescue Green Pioneer in the Port of Singapore. The trials were undertaken over a 10-day period using 6.4m3 of liquid ammonia, in combination with diesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), a second-generation biofuel, as marine fuel. The vessel was loaded on April 23, 2024, at Vopak Banyan Terminal, Jurong Island while the vessel was at anchor. The Fortescue Green Pioneer was subject to testing of the ammonia storage systems, associated piping, gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines and seaworthiness. The propulsion and manoeuvrability...

Mt Carbine receives $20m funding to unlock tungsten potential Considerable exploration potential will be unlocked at Australia’s largest tungsten mine to aid in the supply of unlocking the critical mineral. Supported by the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund (QCMBTF), underground mining operations will return to EQ Resources’ (ASX: EQR) Mt Carbine site in Far North Queensland. Tungsten possesses the highest melting point and tensile strength of all pure metals and it can be used across a range of renewable energy applications such as solar cells, wind turbines and battery storage. The Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) managed fund will provide a $20m senior secured debt...

WesTrac and Thiess celebrate autonomous drilling milestone WesTrac and Thiess have celebrated an autonomous drilling record at Thiess’ Mt Arthur South operation in NSW. Last month, one million metres was autonomously drilled at the operation using a fleet of three Cat MD-series drills running with the Cat MineStar Command Autonomous Drill System (ADS). WesTrac technology solutions manager Nakia Brewer says the achievement not only reflects the highly successful deployment of autonomous drills but the strength of partnership. “When implementing new technology, it is crucial that there is a clear understanding of the problem you’re trying to solve – in this case it was to reduce operating costs and increase...

Aggreko strikes gold at Porphyry Kalgoorlie, Australia – Energy solutions company Aggreko, world leader in the supply of modular power, has completed construction and commissioning of a new 4.4MW solar farm utilising 5B Maverick PV panels, as well as two Aggreko Y.Cube battery energy storage systems (totalling to 2MW/1MWh) which will supply renewable power to Northern Star Resources’ Porphyry gold mine under a long term power purchase agreement. The Porphyry Project is part of Northern Star Resources’ Carosue Dam Operations. The existing 5MW diesel power station - owned and operated by Aggreko - has been connected and integrated with the new solar farm and BESS to create Aggreko’s second thermal renewable hybrid power station in WA. “The new solar array...

Critical mineral potential boosted in NSW A major step has been taken towards unlocking critical minerals and high-tech metals in NSW with results from a new mapping exercise now available. Over 18 months, eight aircraft captured data across more than 148,000km2, around one-sixth of the state. This work also included using sound waves to delve up to 50km beneath the surface. The surveys can map large areas of land with minimal disruption to the environment to help better understand the geology and possible uncover groundwater aquifers. A number of areas were highlighted for further exploration, including around Forbes, Yathong, Cobar and Dubbo. Undertaken...

RST Solutions launches new advanced technology DEM Hydroboost pro to regulate dust extinction moisture in minerals and improve material handling from pit to port A new advanced product for mines to achieve ideal moisture levels to control dust using less water has been launched to the market by leading fine particles specialist RST Solutions. DEM Hydroboost Pro is an advanced dust control solution for mined materials that reduces the opportunity for overwatering and preserves product quality along the supply chain so it reaches the end user in the same condition as it left the mine. Designed by RST Solutions to improve material handling and dust control at the mine and during transferring and transportation, DEM Hydroboost Pro is an advanced...