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Work of application submitted for Victoria’s newest rare earth project 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...

Toolkwip Pumps Pty Ltd expands operations with new branch in Queensland 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...

MinRes awards $24m Onslow Iron contract to Djeleanna 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...

Respect in Mining program launches 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...

KSB leads the way in hard-wearing and robust slurry pump solutions Mine operators are always looking for a global partner that can supply specialised and custom-engineered heavy slurry transport equipment and systems that reduce downtime, lower total cost of ownership and increase efficiency. In 1871, Johannes Klein invented a unique boiler feed apparatus and, together with investors Friedrich Schanzlin and Jakob Becker, set up Frankenthaler Maschinen- & Armaturen-Fabrik Klein, Schanzlin und Becker (KSB). For over 150 years, KSB has innovated in the fields of pumps for an increasing range of industries and applications. KSB now owns and operates 27 manufacturing sites and has subsidiaries and representatives in over 100 countries...

Walkers Hammers and Total Rockbreaking Solutions have signed a distribution agreement with Steelwrist Steelwrist has appointed Walkers Hammers in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania and Total Rockbreaking Solutions in Western Australia as its new authorised dealers for sales and support of Steelwrist products. Walkers Hammers and Total Rockbreaking Solutions provide solutions to Mining and Construction contractors and also all of the major Excavator manufacturers across many different applications including Civil, Demolition and Recycling. With extensive experience in the local markets and with a customer base and contacts across the machine dealer network, these partnerships promise to deliver knowledgeable and reliable service and exceptional products to the regions. Initially, the focus will be on the introduction of Steelwrist Automatic Oil products...

Princely graduation of Glencore pathways program Nine participants of Glencore’s 2023 New South Wales Indigenous Pathways Program (IEPP) have graduated and secured full-time work in the Hunter region, NSW, with ambassador and former NRL premiership winning half Scott Prince praising their stellar efforts. The 26-week program, run yearly, provides work readiness and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians who live on, or have connection to, the areas in which Glencore Coal operates in the region. Glencore Indigenous programs coordinator Carrie Bendeich says the graduates have gained essential job skills and developed a strong foundation for their future careers in the industry. “This program is designed...

Evolution Mining awards plant expansion works contract for Mungari Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) has awarded a contract to GR Engineering Services (ASX:GNG) for plant expansion works at the Mungari project in WA. Work is expected to total $155m and falls within the budget and schedule of Evolution’s commitment to invest $250m to increase Mungari’s processing capacity from 2mtpa to 4.2mtpa. Evolution managing director and chief executive Lawrie Conway says the contract award is a major milestone for the company.   “It secures the critical processing plant infrastructure within our budgeted costs, locking in over 60% of the project costs, and secures a delivery time within the approved project schedule,” he said. “Completion of...

Albemarle-Caterpillar partnership charges up battery value chain Albemarle Corporation has signed agreements with Caterpillar Inc to collaborate on solutions to support the full circular battery value chain and sustainable mining operations. The collaboration aims to support Albemarle’s efforts to establish Kings Mountain, North Carolina in the US, as the first-ever zero-emissions lithium mine site in North America, utilising next-generation, battery-powered mining equipment. In return, Albemarle’s North American-produced lithium will be made available for use in Caterpillar battery production, with...

Queensland Government invests up to $30m in sapphire glass production The Queensland Government is set to invest up to $30m to Alpha Sapphire, a subsidiary of Alpha HPA (ASX:A4N) for the production of sapphire glass. The investment, which is through the $100m Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund (managed by the Queensland Investment Corporation), will accelerate the delivery of two purpose-built furnaces used to ‘grow’ sapphire glass at Alpha HPA in Gladstone, Queensland. These units, Phases A and B, will allow Alpha HPA to produce more than 4tpa of sapphire glass from high purity alumina (HPA). Due to its durability, sapphire glass is ideal for use in micro-LEDs...

Liontown Resources executes $1b underground mining contract with Byrnecut Australia Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) has executed a $1b contract with Byrnecut Australia for underground mining services at the Kathleen Valley lithium project. In August 2023, a letter of award was issued and the execution of the contract between both companies is the final milestone in the highly competitive and technically comprehensive tender process. Preparatory works are underway at Kathleen Valley ahead of Byrnecut’s mobilisation in the coming weeks, with the development of multiple declines from the Mt Mann box cut estimated to commence on schedule in November 2023. The $1b contract will last four years and comprises operating costs,...