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Round 8 opens for QLD resources exploration grants Queensland has opened up round 8 of the Collaborative Exploration Initiative (CEI) with a focus on critical minerals. A total of $4.6m in grants is up for grabs and applications close on January 11 next year. The CEI program builds on the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy and has reduced rent for new and existing exploration permits for minerals to $0 for the next five years, which is worth $55 million. It also builds on the Queensland Government’s $5b Copperstring 2032 project which will help unlock potentially $500b of critical mineral projects in the North West Minerals Province. Queensland Resources Minister Scott...

Lithium prospectivity confirmed at Cooletha   Lithium prospectivity has been confirmed at Australian Critical Minerals’ (ASX:ACM) flagship Cooletha lithium project in WA. Overall, 10 high priority targets totalling a length of over 24km have been identified via ACM’s recent first-pass rock chip and mapping program. Lithium and lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite indicator minerals have been confirmed with multi-element assays identifying vectors towards evolved intrusive rocks. Multispectral analysis integrated with assay results and geological observations has defined multiple exploration locations in the Pilbara LCT pegmatite ‘Goldilocks zone’. Managing director Dean de Largie says the company is excited by the results. “Positive results from our initial exploration program across the large Cooletha lithium project...

BHP and TransAlta partner for solar and battery storage facility A new solar farm in the Northern Goldfields has been switched online thanks to a partnership between BHP (ASX:BHP) and renewable energy provider TransAlta. This partnership will help BHP reduce scope two emissions at its Nickel West northern operations by 12%. TransAlta president and chief executive John Kousinioris says the company is excited to flick the switch on a ground-breaking project. “This facility represents a first for both companies — it’s BHP’s first on-site, large-scale renewable project globally, and it’s TransAlta’s first renewable energy facility in Australia. It’s also the first time we have combined solar and battery storage to offer...

SA and WA Innovators of the Year 2023: Chrysos Photon Assay and Portable PPB The South Australian Government has awarded the Chrysos Photon Assay team the Innovator of the Year at the 2023 South Australian Science and Innovation awards last Friday evening. The Chrysos Photon Assay team, consisting of chief technical officer Dr James Tickner, chief executive and managing director Dirk Treasure, Dr Alvin Chowles and Dr Rhys Preston, were awarded for developing and commercialising their game-changing Photon Assay technology for the mining industry. Dr Tickner says being able to understand how much valuable metal is in the ore is...

Thiess moves 10m banked cubic metres semi-autonomously at Lake Vermont Global mining services provider Thiess has moved more than 10m banked cubic metres semi-autonomously at the Lake Vermont mine in Queensland. The milestone was achieved three years after Thiess launched its fleet of six Cat D11 dozers with the semi-autonomous tractor system (SATs). Thiess head of autonomy and operations technology Trent Smith commented on the milestone. “10m banked cubic metres is equivalent in volume to 4000 Olympic-sized swimming pools — moving this amount without an operator in the machine is a significant milestone,” he said. “It reflects Thiess’ ongoing commitment to linking people and technology to deliver safety and operational...

Construction starts on NEXTDC data centre in Darwin, propels NT digital economy Construction has commenced on a new data centre in the Northern Territory, called D1 Darwin, an $80m critical infrastructure project that will house about 1,500 racks and support up to 8MW IT load. The construction of this new NEXTDC data centre is being managed by Kapitol Group NT and will create and support up to 200 jobs. NEXTDC is Australia’s only provider of integrated edge data centre and remote operations solutions. The new centre is within walking distance from the new Charles Darwin University CBD campus and will offer critical digital infrastructure to support...

Rio Tinto and Aymium partner to trial renewable biocarbon product Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and Aymium have partnered to develop and trial a renewable biocarbon product for use as an alternative resource to reduce emissions in large scale industrial processes. This product has been successfully trialled as a replacement for anthracite used in ilmenite smelting processes at Rio’s metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The complex is a world-leading producer of high-grade titanium dioxide feedstock plus iron and steel for specialised applications. Rio Tinto minerals chief executive Sinead Kaufman says the company is delighted to work with Aymium. “We are delighted to work with Aymium to develop and trial this renewable biocarbon...

Weir partners with CEEC International to make mining more sustainable Global mining technology company Weir will partner with CEEC International (CEEC) to drive sustainable innovation and improve productivity in mining. In addition to renewing its support as a premium sponsor, Weir will participate in CEEC’s newly launched Global Water Initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration to drive action to ensure responsible water use within the industry. Water is fundamental to the way in which minerals are processed. However, in some parts of the world there is not enough, and in some parts there's too much. So mining needs to use water wisely....

Australia celebrates National Mining Day National mining and related industries day is celebrated on November 22 as a day to celebrate the country’s essential mining and related industries, plus the people who work in them. First launched in 2013 by co-patrons Gina Rinehart and Tad Watroba, the day is a way to celebrate the enormous contribution of Australia’s mining and related industries, and to remind those in the industry to be proud of it and stand up for it. In her inaugural speech for national mining and related industries day, Ms Rinehart said the day would be an opportunity for the industry to tell their story. “We are here today to...

Sandvik launches its most advanced top hammer tool systems Sandvik has launched the CT55 and CT67 top hammer tool systems to increase efficiency, reduce cost, save fuel and simplify automated drilling. The multi-patented, first-of-its-kind curved thread design reduces stress levels by distributing them over a larger area inside the tool. This enables the system to handle higher drilling power and a drill rig’s full potential. Sandvik vice president of product line top hammer Anders Brungs commented on the new systems. “We are proud to offer an innovation that delivers significantly increased efficiency, since higher drilling parameters are allowed with fewer stops for breakages,” he said. “Our design increases productivity...

Rio Tinto begins Australia’s largest ever demolition project at Gove Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) is undertaking the largest demolition project in Australia’s history at its Gove alumina refinery where the equivalent of three Sydney Harbour bridges in steel will be shipped and recycled. This demolition is part of the broader closure program at Rio’s Gove operations where bauxite mining is expected to stop later this decade. The first shipment, which contains around 15kt of scrap steel, recently left the Gove wharf for Asia to be converted into new steel wire, bar and beam products. All up, 142kt of steel in 10 shipments...