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Analysis confirms suitable flake size for lithium-ion batteries Initial petrographic analysis has indicated graphite from Kingsland Minerals’ (ASX:KNG) Leliyn graphite project is attractive and potentially suitable for use in lithium-ion batteries. The graphite flakes underwent a micronising process before being further processed into spherical graphite. Flake sizes of less than 150 microns are preferred as larger flakes require greater size reduction which incurs a higher cost. At this stage, Leliyn looks to have flake sizes that are well favourable for battery anode material. Samples were collected at seven to eight-metre intervals down the core holes for petrographic analysis. This involves making a thin section of the core, allowing light to pass through the rock....

Australian Rare Earths expands landholding in Queensland Australian Rare Earths (ASX:AR3) has significantly increased its landholding in the Kennedy Province in North Queensland. Applications have been lodged for another 800km2 of exploration tenure which hosts the Forty Mile Scrub, Sandy Tate and Oaky Valley prospects. An emerging new clay-hosted rare earth mineral province, the Kennedy Province is host to intrusive and extrusive, predominantly felsic magmatism. Through airborne geophysics surveys, the Forty Mile Scrub, Sandy Tate and Oaky Valley prospects have identified areas displaying weathering profiles over the prospective geology of the extrusive and intrusive rocks of the kennedy igneous association. The kennedy igneous association comprises the most widespread...

Liebherr R 9300 makes Australian debut The Liebherr R 9300 has made its Australian debut at the Karlawinda gold project in the Pilbara region of WA. Global contractor and long-term customer MACA is excited to welcome this machine to its expanding Liebherr excavator fleet. MACA has added the new R 9300 250t class excavator to its fleet at Karlawinda. This excavator — which joins three Liebherr R 9200 excavators at the project — expands MACA’s extensive Liebherr fleet which totals over 20 excavators. The R 9300 was chosen not only for its capacity to assist in meeting the production targets of its client, but also for the...

Rio Tinto appoints Jérôme Pécresse as aluminium chief executive Jérôme Pécresse has been appointed aluminium chief executive of Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), effective October 23, 2023. With over 30 years of business experience in global companies spanning the mining and energy sectors, up until recently, Mr Pécresse was president and chief executive of General Electric (GE) Renewable Energy. He joined GE in 2015 after the company completed its acquisition of Alstom’s energy activities. At Alstom, he also led the company’s renewable energy business. Before joining Alstom, Mr Pécresse spent 13 years in the mining and metals industry at Paris-based industrial minerals producer Imerys as chief operating officer and other various roles. Mr Pécresse...

Carmichael mine traineeship program to empower First Nations communities Bravus Mining and Resources has joined with key contractor partner DRA Global to accelerate the development, training and employment of First Nations peoples in central Queensland. DRA’s First Nations Traineeship Program will recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to critical mining roles that support the operations of the 10mtpa Carmichael mine near Clermont, Queensland. DRA provides operations and maintenance services at the Carmichael coal handling and preparation lant facility (CHPP) where the high-quality thermal coal mined from the Galilee Basin mine is crushed, washed and prepared for transport...

Deloitte selected for AMTECH feasibility study Deloitte has been selected as the tender to deliver a detailed feasibility study and business case for a possible advanced manufacturing and technology hub (AMTECH) in the South-West region of WA. This appointment represents the next step in a bid to create a world-class hub in the Bunbury-Geographe area that would unlock opportunities for industry in the South-West. Building on the considerable work undertaken so far, Deloitte will investigate the preferred model, location, structure and services for an AMTECH. A detailed project plan, economic benefit analysis and financial viability plan will be carried out, along with market demand, engineering design and feasibility studies. WA regional...

Minbos Resources begins P4 concept study Minbos Resources (ASX:MNB) has begun a concept study to produce P4, also known as yellow phosphorous, as part of its emerging new energy materials business. To complete the study, Minbos has engaged a Tier 1 global engineering, construction and project management company. This company will undertake a 10-week concept level engineering study for a greenfield P4 production facility in Angola, targeting 20ktpa. P4 is an essential critical mineral in the battery materials supply chain as it is needed to produce lithium hexaflurophosphate, the electrolyte used in lithium-ion batteries. It’s also a critical mineral in the agriculture sector as it’s needed to produce phosphonates for weed...

Inca Minerals to acquire Bramall Hills from Northwest Iron Inca Minerals (ASX:ICG) has signed a tenement sale and purchase agreement with Northwest Iron for the Bramall Hills tenement. Bramall Hills covers a total area of 300km2, comprises of 105 blocks and is highly prospective for lithium with previous historical exploration only ever focusing on uranium, gold and base metals. The application was lodged in March 2023 and is currently pending approval from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS). Once the DMIRS has granted approval, Northwest Iron will transfer its rights, title and interest in Bramall Hills to Inca. As consideration for the tenement, Inca will issue...

First Graphene receives $2m grant First Graphene’s (ASX: FGR) collaborative project with Halocell Energy and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has received a Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P) grant worth $2.02 million. The grant was awarded under round 14 of the Australian Government’s CRC-P collaborative research funding stream and will support the project over three years. The project aims to commercialise ultra-low-cost, flexible perovskite solar cell fabrication using Halocell’s roll-to-roll (R2R) production process at its Wagga Wagga plant. Halocell Energy chief executive Paul Moonie commented on the partnership. “Working with QUT and First Graphene for this project is an exemplar of our real-world approach,” he said. “QUT as the university...

Thiess awarded $240m contract in Indonesia Thiess has been awarded a $240m nickel mining contract with PT Halmahera Sukses Mineral in Central Halmahera, Indonesia. Under the 3.5-year contract, Thiess will deliver full mining operations including mine development, haul road construction, hauling and ore loading. Thiess executive chair and chief executive Michael Wright said the company is excited to have received the contract. “We are excited by this new contract award, which underscores Thiess’ expertise and strong track record in the Indonesian mining industry,” he said. “It reaffirms our commitment to providing safe, sustainable and innovative solutions to our clients while contributing to the growth of Indonesia’s nickel industry,...

Classic Minerals begins disclosing ESG metrics Classic Minerals (ASX:CLZ) has begun disclosing environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics. The company has commenced ESG reporting by making disclosures against the World Economic Forum (WEF) Stakeholder Capitalism framework. The WEF framework is a set of common metrics for sustainable value creation captured in 21 core ESG disclosures. Classic sees these metrics as the most appropriate ESG disclosure framework to start its ESG reporting journey. The framework uses a variety of existing frameworks and was intentionally built as a stepping-stone to begin building capacity and capability in ESG reporting. It allows Classic to report on core ESG matters including governance, anti-corruption practices,...