Latest News

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...

Regis Resources approves two underground mines Regis Resources (ASX: RRL) has approved two underground mines — Garden Well Main and Rosemont Stage 3 — to support its underground growth strategy. With the inclusion of Garden Well Main and Rosemont Stage 3, Regis will operate at least three independent underground mining areas within the Duketon gold project in WA. Located around 750m north of the current Garden Well South underground mine, Garden Well Main will open a new mining domain directly below the base of the current Garden Well open pit. The mining inventory at Garden Well Main comprises of 36% indicated mineral...

High quality MREC produced from Yin monazite concentrate High-quality mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) has been produced from monazite concentrate at Dreadnought Resources' (ASX: DRE) Yin project, part of the Mangaroon project in WA. The concentrate was produced by metallurgical group ANSTO using a conventional low-temperature acid bake / leach process. The testwork was carried out on a 2kg monazite concentrate sample that was taken from combined diamond core samples from three holes drilled at Yin. The produced MREC was made up of 30.6% total rare earth oxides containing 8.3% neodymium oxide and 2.2% praseodymium oxide. It...

Surefire Resources files provisional patent for vanadium recovery process Through its wholly owned subsidiary Suretec Solutions, Surefire Resources (ASX: SRN) has filed an Australian provisional patent application to protect its proprietary vanadium recovery process. Perth-based patent attorney WRAYS was appointed to review the process and undertake a search on the subject matter of the invention. Following this, WRAYS have confirmed to application has been lodged with IP Australia. Surefire’s metallurgical application reduces the need for standard heat pre-treatment processes currently used in the vanadium extraction industry. In May 2023, Surefire appointed METS Engineering to assess the potential for recovery of a high purity...