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BHP Xplor announces second accelerator program BHP (ASX:BHP) has announced its second group of six companies to join the BHP Xplor accelerator program. The accelerator program is designed to support early-stage mineral exploration companies in finding the critical resources needed to support the energy transition. It aims to support development across technical, business and operational aspects of the participating companies. Furthermore, BHP Xplor provides BHP the opportunity to access some of the world’s most exciting exploration prospects, enhancing the pipeline of new opportunities which may shape the company’s future asset portfolio. Each of the six companies will receive a grant of up to $760,803 (US$500k) plus access to a network of internal and external...

Liontown Resources’ $760m debt funding facility scrapped Liontown Resources’ (ASX:LTR) $760m debt funding facility for Kathleen Valley has been terminated due to the recent material decline in spodumene prices. As a result, discussions have begun for a revised, smaller facility and Liontown has been advised by lenders that they remain highly supportive of Kathleen Valley. Due to the recent decline in spodumene prices, significant reductions have been made in short and medium-term lithium price forecasts. As a result, Liontown has begun a review of the planned expansion and associated ramp-up of Kathleen Valley to preserve capital and reduce near-term funding requirements. The review includes examining options...

Gold mineralisation extended at Mt Martin Gold mineralisation has been extended at Lefroy Exploration’s (ASX:LEX) Mt Martin gold mine in WA. As part of the company’s maiden resource expansion drilling program, 29 reverse circulation (RC) holes were drilled to evaluate multiple extensions at depth and shallow gold-bearing shear structures. Holes on the west side of the open pit targeted the northwest plunging ore shoots which are a feature of high-grade mineralisation at Mt Martin. Best results include 35m @ 1.78g/t gold from 209m including 10m @4.32g/t gold from 222m, and 3m @3.74g/t gold from 128m. These results are encouraging and confirm the mineralised structure have significant down-dip continuity...

Lithium and pathfinder anomalies confirmed at Akira Voltaic Strategic Resources (ASX:VSR) has confirmed multiple lithium and pathfinder anomalies at the Akira prospect within the Ti Tree project in WA. A 7.5km strike area of the prospective Leake Spring Metamorphic schist covering the Akria and Morpheus prospects was tested, with results from the latter pending. Samples were collected on a north-northeast oriented lines at spacing of 100m by 80m and 200m by 80m. The samples will be progressively received and reported on over the coming weeks with assays from the Morpheus prospect expected in three to four weeks. Chief executive Michael Walshe says the company is encouraged by the assays....

Wabtec’s Trip Optimizer surpasses 1.6 billion kilometres Wabtec’s smart cruise control software for trains, Trip Optimizer, used by the likes of Roy Hill and Pacific National here in Australia, has surpassed a significant milestone, operating trains for more than 1.6b km (1b miles). This is equivalent to more than 40,000 trips around Earth, with 12,000 locomotives using the system worldwide, resulting in 7.7mt in emissions reductions collectively. Wabtec Digital Intelligence president Nalin Jain says the “billion-mile accomplishment is a tribute to our customers and our team of innovators”. “Trip Optimizer has become an integral locomotive operating system and an industry standard for railroads to efficiently manage the...

Perenti secures $420m in contract extensions Perenti’s (ASX:PRN) underground mining businesses have been awarded contract extensions valued at $420m. The extensions include: A 12-month $125m contract extension to continue underground development and production at the Gold Fields Agnew underground gold mine. A 12-month $180m contract extension at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi underground gold mine in Ghana. A two-year $115m contract extension of existing underground development and production work at Roxgold’s Yaramoko underground mine in Burkina Faso. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is pleased with the extensions. “We pride ourselves on enduring relationships, so we are especially pleased to be continuing our relationship with these long-term clients,” he said. “Our...

National mine waste conference targets best practice Mining professionals and researchers from across Australia will converge in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6-7 February, to discuss the future of mine waste management. The Australian Mine Waste Symposium, organised by the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s (SMI) WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre (BRC) and the Geological Survey of Queensland, aims to produce an industry-wide roadmap to achieving best practice. BRC’s Mine Waste Transformation through Characterisation (MIWATCH) research group leader Associate Professor Anita Parbhakar-Fox says there is widespread interest in addressing the challenges associated with mine waste. “The complex environmental, social and economic challenges posed by mine...

New PPE waste management initiative With the surge in use of personal protective equipment (PPE) since COVID-19, a recycling program has been launched by Australian PPE producer Industree Group and global recycling company TerraCycle to reduce PPE waste at worksites nation-wide. The Epicycle initiatve features recycling boxes that are custom-designed for collecting used safety glasses, safety gloves and disposable respirators before they reach landfill. TerraCycle ANZ general manager Jean Bailliard says PPE has traditionally been considered a hard-to-recycle waste stream because it consists of different kinds of complex, composite materials including hard and soft plastics, leather, and fabrics. “For this reason, we are proud to join...

Cosmo Metals to acquire Kanowna gold project Cosmo Metals (ASX:CMO) has signed a term sheet to acquire La Zarza Minerals — the holder of the Kanowna gold project (KGP) in WA. The KGP lies 1km west of Northern Star Resources’ Kanowna Belle gold operations which has produced more than 5.4moz of gold since 1993 and has a current production rate of 150kozpa. It comprises of 12 prospecting licences and is situated in the Eastern Goldfields of WA, one of the world’s most prolifically well-endowed gold producing regions. The KGP includes drill ready targets at Don Álvaro, Laguna Verde and WKL with multiple additional surface and shallow air core anomalies that...

Mount Isa Mines celebrates 100 years of operation One of Australia’s most iconic mining operations — Mount Isa Mines — has celebrated its 100th birthday. Formed on January 16th, 1924, the discovery of Mount Isa Mines came almost a year after prospector John Campbell Miles discovered mineralised outcrops near the Leichhardt River that contained high grades of lead-silver. Since then, the operation has grown to be a major contributor of copper, zinc and lead to global suppliers. These minerals are used in everyday items such as phones, laptops, electric cars and renewable energy technologies. Several significant mining industry innovations were pioneered at Mount Isa Mines, including the ISASMELT smelting technology,...

West Coast Poly Embraces Latest Tech To Deliver Complete Tank Solutions Australia’s manufacturing sector has been challenged since the 1970s with rising energy costs, skills shortages and an ever-developing capability of off-shore competition. However, some businesses have leveraged in-house capabilities and innovative manufacturing processes to stay ahead of the game, while facilitating continued growth along the way. One of those businesses is WA owned and based company West Coast Poly. Founded in 1999, West Coast Poly has set the standard as one of the largest manufacturers of rotomoulded polyethylene tanks in Western Australia. The progressive Perth based roto-moulding specialist is renowned for producing quality, durable polyethylene storage tanks for the industrial, mining, rural and residential markets. Not only has it...