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BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has entered a renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) with Queensland’s publicly owned energy generator and retailer, CleanCo. The new agreement will run until 2030 and extends an existing low carbon emission power agreement between BMA and CleanCo that is currently running to the end of 2025. This second PPA will enable BMA to continue to source half of its expected electricity needs from low greenhouse gas emission sources such as solar, wind and pumped hydro. BHP President Australia Geraldine Slattery commented on the new agreement. “We are increasing renewable electricity at BMA in line with our decarbonisation commitments to 2030 and beyond, improving the long-term sustainability of our business while at the same time supporting Queensland’s…

Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) has ramped up production at its demonstration plant and it now continuously producing lithium carbonate from brines from its Paradox lithium project. The battery-grade lithium carbonate is being produced at Anson’s sample demonstration plant at its Lithium Innovation Centre in Florida. The ramp-up in production marks a key step in Anson’s qualification process with potential offtake partners as it enables the company to provide samples to potential end-users as part of a structured product supplier qualification process. The production rate is steadily increasing and is targeting 1tpa by the end of the year, sufficient to meet the needs of potential off-take partners. Lithium carbonate produced from the plant will be supplied to vehicle manufacturers and their cathode…

Multiple new, wide and strike extensive pegmatites have been identified at Reach Resources’ (ASX:RR1) Morrissey Hill lithium project in WA. The individual pegmatites extend up to 2km in length and over 30 metres in width with the majority hosted within mafic volcanics and mafic sediments of the Leake Springs Metamorphics group. Combining the potential strike length of the Bonzer pegmatite field with these new pegmatites suggest a total strike length of prospective pegmatites at Morrissey Hill to span more than 10km. However, this could extend even further as it does not include the potential for additional strike from ‘blind’ pegmatites which have been proven to be present on site through recent drill programs. Rock chip sampling and extensive geochemical soil…

The Northern Territory Resources Week has kicked off for another year, bringing together The South East Asia Australia Offshore and Onshore Conference (SEAAOC), Mining the Territory Conference and the Environmental Management and Decarbonisation Forum. In its 15th year, Resources Week is an opportunity to send a message to investors loud and clear that the Northern Territory is a world class destination for mining. The Northern Territory’s resource industry is worth around $6.2b and is one of the largest job creators with around 5300 people directly employed by the sector. It supports hundreds of small businesses across all regions and delivers millions of resource royalty dollars every year into schools and hospitals. In the 2022/23 financial year, mineral expenditure in the…

The Kapunda copper project has received a key environmental approval from the South Australian Government. Terramin (ASX:TZN) and its joint venture partners Environmental Copper Recovery (ECR) received approval for the next phase of in-ground work on the in-situ recovery. Thor Energy (ASX:THR) also holds a 30% equity in ECL. This phase of work — Site Environmental Lixiviant Test (SELT) — will be a push/pull trial and will involve mixing a biodegradable solution with groundwater for placement within the orebody. The solution will reside in situ for a period of time while being sampled and monitored and then will be extracted and the site rehabilitated. The test will provide a wide range of data on a number of key areas, including…

Engineering company Monadelphous (ASX:MND) has been awarded a $100m multidisciplinary construction contract with Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR). The contract is for the construction of the wet plant at the Kathleen Valley lithium project in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The contract scope includes the installation of 1200t of structural steel, 20,000m of piping, 600 mechanical equipment items, 200 platework items, the SAG mill, magnetics circuit, flotation circuit, tails treatment, tantalum recovery circuit and concentrate dewatering. Combining the structural, mechanical, piping (SMP) and electrical and instrumentation (E&I) work enables vertical integration of mechanical and electrical construction of the wet plant and underpins confidence to deliver first production mid next year. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano commented on the contract.…

James Bay Minerals (ASX:JBY) began trading on the ASX today following a highly successful $6m initial public offering (IPO). The Perth-based lithium explorer has secured an extensive and highly strategic ground position in the heart of the La Grande Greenstone Belt in Quebec, Canada. Following several world-class lithium-pegmatite discoveries, this belt has risen to prominence in recent times. James Bay Minerals has plans in place to begin exploration immediately with exploration programs scheduled to begin in parallel with expanding its in-country exploration and administration teams. Work includes lidar surveys, aerial imagery acquisition, geochemical and geophysical surveys, field mapping and rock chip and channel sampling.   Pending results from the 2023 field program, initial drill programs are set to begin in…

Ionic Rare Earths (ASX:IXR) has partnered with Ford Technologies, Less Common Metals (LCM) and British Geological Survey (BGS) to create a UK rare earth supply chain. Ionic Technologies International, Ionic’s UK-based subsidiary, will develop a UK supply chain for recycled magnet rare earths to magnets and will complete a feasibility study and supply chain analysis for a UK magnet recycling facility. The UK Government will support the partnership via a $1.95m (£1m) project with Ionic Technologies announced as the major beneficiary and lead collaborator. The UK Government is also supporting an additional $1.95m (£1m) project funding a feasibility study into the construction and the supply of the recycling plant. The funding is part of the UK Government’s circular critical materials…

The NSW Government has begun consultations as it develops a new critical minerals and high-tech metals strategy. This strategy is a crucial document that provides the framework for the critical minerals and high-tech metals mining industry. It will provide certainty and direction for the industry as it continues to grow and will include a sharper focus on domestic manufacturing, skills and training opportunities. Discussions on the new strategy will outline new opportunities to: NSW has an abundance of critical minerals and high-tech metals, including 17 of the 26 nationally identified critical minerals. Copper, silver and scandium are abundant in NSW and are crucial components in the products that will ensure the state realises its goal of net zero emissions by…

BHP (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) have joined forces to create the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) program. Initiated by BHP, the program offers rapid emergency medical response through the large, remote and frequently inaccessible Pilbara region. Provided by Heliwest, the twin-engine BK117 aircraft is staffed by two helicopter pilots and a senior BHP paramedic. It features night vision capabilities, a weather radar and is capable of flying under almost all-weather conditions. Currently, BHP has seven staff members trained and endorsed to operate on the aircraft. The aircraft is tasked with around 110 missions annually. BHP WA iron ore head of health, safety and environment Justin Williams said the partnership will play a critical role in providing quick and lifesaving…

WA’s energy minister Bill Johnston has met with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia to talk renewable energy. Earlier in the week, Mr Johnston led a WA delegation to host talks around opportunities for cooperation and the challenges facing WA and Indonesia as the countries transition towards net zero, including energy distribution to remote communities and carbon capture and storage. Discussions focused on identifying new sources of energy and the actions required for the transition. Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of coal, however, they have significant potential to generate renewable energy through geothermal, hydropower, solar and other sources. The delegation also consisted of Horizon Power with representatives from there and the Chamber of…