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Mineral exploration in Tasmania has hit a new record with figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing $43.1m was spent in the 2022-23 financial year. Tasmania Resources Minister Felix Ellis says mineral exploration in the state is now at its highest level on record. “There has been an increase in exploration expenditure of 31% on the preceding fiscal year,” he said. “We know the world will need the key and critical minerals that Tasmania has to help power the global shift to renewable energy and to support defence manufacturing. “This is exactly why we are backing the industry to grow in a balanced way through programs like our popular Exploration Drilling Grant Initiative (EDGI) and Geoscience Initiative. “The EDGI…

BHP (ASX:BHP) has celebrated the shipment of 3bt of high-quality iron ore to China.   To mark this milestone, key customer representatives were given a tour of BHP’s Pilbara and Port Hedland operations and a gala event was held in Perth. On the tour, BHP chief commercial officer Vandita Pant and BHP asset president of WA iron ore Brandon Craig were joined by China Iron and Steel Association vice chairman Luo Tiejun and key customer representatives at the Mining Area C and South Flank mines as well as the Port Hedland export facility. Mr Craig says this is a significant milestone for the company. “This is a significant milestone for BHP’s iron ore business and for WA, and we are…

An agreement between AngloGold Ashanti, Barminco and Sandvik has resulted in the trial of the largest battery-electric underground mining truck. The Sunrise Dam mine, owned by AngloGold, in WA will host the world-first trials as the Sandvik TH665B truck is to put to work in Australian conditions. As well as producing zero diesel emissions underground and generating 80% less heat, the truck is expected to be up to 25% faster on a 1:7 ramp than regular diesel trucks. Head of electrification and technology for Barminco parent company Perenti Darren Kwok says he is excited to see what the agreement can achieve. “As a business, we are focused on how we can support our clients to decarbonise their mines and trialling…

In a world-first, the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act Bill has been introduced to the South Australian Parliament. With the State’s rapidly growing renewable energy sector, the Act aims to streamline the process for companies wanting to invest in large-scale projects in South Australia, while providing a framework that considers the needs of the environment, Aboriginal rights holders, landowners and communities. In just over 15 years, South Australia has shifted its energy source from 1% to around 70% renewable energy and is targeting 100% by 2030. The proposed Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act aims to introduce a ‘one window to government’ licencing and regulatory system for the lifecycle of large-scale hydrogen and renewable energy projects in South Australia. Under the…

The WA State Government has awarded more than $1b in contracts to deliver new battery energy storage systems in Kwinana and Collie. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co was contracted to supply around 300 EnerC Plus containerised liquid-cooling battery systems for Kwinana Battery Stage Two and around 650 EnerC Plus for Collie. Further, Power Electrics will deliver 72 inverters for the Kwinana battery and 160 inverters for the Collier battery. WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston commented on the contracts. “Contemporary Amperex Technology is a global leader of new energy innovative technologies, providing more than 600 battery units for Kwinana Battery Stage One, which is now storing energy and discharging into the grid,” he said. “Power Electronics is a leading manufacturer of inverters…

World Gold Council members have committed to providing enhanced transparency in the gold supply chain. Its 33 members represent the majority of the global large-scale gold mining industry and collectively produce about 1,300tpa of gold. As part of the commitment, the members will publish the names and locations of their refining partners on at least an annual basis, to include all operations where the primary revenue comes from the production of gold. World Gold Council chief executive David Tait says he is delighted that members are leading the way in transparency. “Pursuing enhanced supply chain transparency is good for the companies who produce, the communities who benefit from employment, training and skills, and investors and consumers, who can be assured…

ChemX Materials (ASX:CMX) has released a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its Jamieson Tank deposit in South Australia. The maiden MRE reads 13.1mt at 5.7% manganese with 21% of the resource in the indicated category and 79% in the inferred category. It was established via a recent drilling program with ERM Australia Consultants, with both companies working together to execute a 6000m infill reverse circulation drilling program. Further, gravity and magnetic separation testwork demonstrated an opportunity to upgrade the mineral resource estimate through follow up drilling. Chief executive Peter Lee said the company is pleased with the release of the maiden mineral resource estimate. “ChemX is pleased with the delivery of this maiden mineral resource estimate for the Jamieson…

The hot reactor at Hazer Group’s (ASX:HZR) commercial demonstration plant (CDP) has passed a major heat treatment milestone. Main reactor works and the critical conditioning step of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) have been completed of the hot reactor, marking a major milestone in the hot reactor fabrication process. Successful non-destructive testing has been performed — before and after the heat treatment — confirming the fabrication quality required for service has been achieved. The hot reactor body has now begun final machining and assembly, before being shipped to site in the coming weeks. Pre-commissioning at the commercial demonstration plant is continuing to proceed as planned with the remaining hot system air blower being installed and tested. This leaves the installation of…

Newmont has received further clearance for its acquisition of Newcrest Minerals (ASX:NCM). Following a review by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), the Treasurer has cleared Newmont to proceed with the acquisition, issuing a No Objection Notification (NON). The NON is conditional upon compliance with standard tax conditions associated with the Commonwealth taxation laws. In early September, Japan’s Fair Trade Commission issued a clearance letter allowing closing of the proposed transaction to proceed any time after September 30, 2023. Furthermore, in August the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission cleared the proposed acquisition and conveyed its recommendation to the FIRB. Remaining regulatory approvals include the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC). Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer is pleased Australia and Japan…

Initial testwork has demonstrated recoveries of up to 99% at the McTavish East prospect within the Kookynie gold project in WA. Carnavale Resources (ASX:CAV) completed initial leach test work over McTavish East with samples collected from aircore drilling completed in September 2022 and reverse circulation drilling completed in May 2023. A total of 16 200-250gm ore grade samples were taken and leach tested for 24 hours. Samples were selected from both oxide and fresh rock material, with recoveries in the oxide totalling 99% and between 97% and 99% in the fresh rock. Carnavale has planned further metallurgical testwork to boost these results with work including leach testwork and gravity separation techniques. Chief executive Humphrey Hale called these results outstanding. “The…

Glencore has received NSW Government sign-off for 76ha of rehabilitated mined land at its Ulan coal mine complex. The rehabilitation has met all closure criteria and objectives set by the Department of Planning and Environment and the NSW Resources Regulator. Ulan Coal’s environment and community manager Lucy Stuart said the rehabilitation provides habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. “The certification covers two former open cut mining areas that now comprise 57 hectares of red iron bark and grey box forest, and 79 hectares of native woodland,” she said. “Our detailed monitoring programs have identified the presence of eight threatened species within these areas, including the painted honeyeater and glossy black cockatoo, which is a fantastic result.” Glencore’s…