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Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) and Genex Power (ASX:GNX) have entered a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the proposed Gibson Island project. The PPA will secure 337.5MW of the energy generated from the first stage (proposed at 450MW) of Genex’s Bulli Creek solar project, which it is developing in partnership with J-POWER. Fortescue chief executive Mark Hutchinson says the agreement would secure some of the required power for Gibson Island as well as underpin the development of a new renewable energy project in Queensland. “This agreement is the first step in securing renewable power supply for the Gibson Island project over the long term,” he said. “It is the first PPA for the project and finalising it is an important milestone…

Newmont Corporation has received all necessary government approvals to proceed with the acquisition of Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM). The Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea (SCPNG) has granted the necessary exemptions and other requested confirmations under PNG capital markets law. This follows the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) indicating its approval. Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer says the company looks forward to building a strong relationship with Papua New Guinea. “We look forward to building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with the government and people of Papua New Guinea to generate lasting shared value and meaningful economic development through the world-class Lihir gold mine and the highly prospective Wafi-Golpu gold and copper project,” he said. “As the world’s leading gold…

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions has introduced two new virtual training simulators to its Digital Driller offering. The new Sandvik DD322i and Sandvik DD422i Dual Controls simulators feature the latest software and advanced training methods for underground drill operators and maintenance teams. The Digital Driller simulators offer an authentic, safer learning environment for operator training across underground hard rock drilling applications. This virtual training environment means that operators can be trained on site with no damage to equipment or the mine environment, and no impact on machine availability. Sandvik Underground Drilling Training Academy manager Tiia Pohjanlehto says the new simulators provide more thorough training. “With the addition of the DD322i and DD422i Dual Controls models, we’re enabling even more comprehensive…

Fortescue (ASX:FMG) has taken the lead investor role in Electric Hydrogen’s (EH2) $598m (US$380m) Series C funding round. While FMG hasn’t disclosed how much its investment was, it was completed in June 2023. Fortescue Energy chief executive Mark Hutchinson says the company is committed to supporting the rapid scaling of green technology to help heavy industry decarbonise. “Right now there are not enough electrolysers in the world to support the amount of green hydrogen we are set to produce,” he said. “That is why we are partnering with other world leaders in this space to secure our green energy supply chain, and we’re excited to invest and secure capacity with Electric Hydrogen to help us achieve our goals.” Additionally, Fortescue…

The Komatsu GD955-7 grader has made its Australian debut in Mackay, Queensland, as it prepares to travel around the country to give mining customers their first look. The GD995-7 loader is built specifically for mining operations with a big focus on productivity thanks to its blade up design allowing for more efficient ground penetration. Komatsu national mining product manager Michael Hall says the loader has been highly anticipated by customers. “The GD955-7 is a ground-up designed mining grader. It can grade 33% more area per hour than the previous model, with a standard 5.5m blade, or an optional 6.1m blade width for even more productivity,” he said. “It also has the highest blade downforce in class and the highest engine…

The WA Government is seeking registrations of interest (ROI) from large commercial and industrial users on their plans for low-emissions electricity and renewable energy projects to supply major projects in the state’s main electricity grid — the South West Interconnect System (SWIS). These ROIs will help inform how and when future transmission builds could happen and where renewable energy hubs could be located.   The ROI aims to establish a customer base that will shape future major transmission expansion projects, prioritise areas for grid investment and gain valuable insight to enable policy setting for suitable funding arrangements. WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston says the government is encouraging major customers to be part of this once-in-a-generation transmission growth. “WA’s abundance of…

Over the next two years, the value of Australia’s resources and energy exports is forecast to ease from the 2022-2023 record high as commodity prices return to more normal levels. According to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ September edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly, an easing in resources and energy export values to $400b in 2023-2024 and $352b in 2024-2025 is forecast as world demand softens and global supply stabilises. Further, iron ore export earnings are expected to fall to $120b in 2023-2024, LNG earnings are forecast to drop to $71b this year, lithium exports are forecast to decrease to $18b this year and earnings from metallurgical coal are expected to decline to $47b in 2023-2024. This…

Astron Corporation (ASX:ATR) has submitted a work of application regarding the construction and operation of the Donald rare earth and mineral sands project. The application was submitted to the Earth Resources Regulator (ERR) within the Victorian Government Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The work plan is the main regulatory approval outstanding prior to construction of phase one of the Donald project. The submission of the plan represents the achievement of a major milestone towards development of the project. Donald already has a positively assessed Victorian Environmental Effects Statement (EES), a concluded federal Environment, Biodiversity Protection and Conservation (EPBC) approval and a granted mining licence covering phase one of the project. The work plan describes the nature and…

Toolkwip Pumps, a leading provider of high-quality pumping solutions, has recently announced the opening of a new branch in South East Queensland. This expansion is driven by the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service to customers across Australia. The new location is stocked with all the leading brands of pumps, valves, hoses, fittings and accessories to service Queensland’s Civil, Quarry and Mining Sectors. The branch will also feature a fully equipped workshop for routine pump maintenance and repairs. Highly qualified service technicians and a fleet of service vehicles are available for onsite repairs directly on the worksite to get customers pumping again with little downtime! “We have seen an overwhelming increase in demand in the Queensland area over the last…

Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) has awarded a $24m contract to local Indigenous-owned business Djeleanna Pty Ltd (Djeleanna) as part of the flagship Onslow Iron project. This is the largest contract ever awarded by MinRes to an Indigenous-owned business, with the four-year contract covering exploration earthworks at the Ken’s Bore mine site, east of Onslow, as well as the contraction of access tracks, building drill pads, road maintenance and general earthworks. MinRes managing director Chris Ellison says the company is proud to partner with Djeleanna. “Businesses such as Djeleanna such a strong connection to Country and this contract is an example of our commitment to empowering Indigenous entrepreneurs,” he said. “Providing practical guidance and support, such as guaranteeing finance…

A suite of new tools to help WA mining companies create safer workplaces for women is now available as part of the State Government’s Respect in Mining program. The Respect in Mining program is designed to support small and medium mining companies to increase awareness and knowledge of the gendered drivers of violence, the impact of gender inequality on women’s safety and economic security, and the impact of gendered division in leadership and decision making. The tools and resources in the program will provide guidance to mining companies on how to set clear standards and procedures for expectations of behaviour, and identify and appropriately respond to incidences of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace. WA Women’s Interests Minister…