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Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) has substantially increased the mineral resource at its Pilgangoora operation in WA by 36%. The updated mineral resource now contains 4.75Mt of lithium oxide at 1.15% lithium oxide, reinforcing Pilgangoora’s position as one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium operations. This has enhanced the overall resource confidence of Pilgangoora with 82% of the mineral resource now classified as measured and indicated.   Managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson commented on the increase. “The upgraded mineral resource is consistent with our strategy to grow our operating base and therefore maximise value by achieving the full potential from our world class operation,” he said. “We have added 109Mt of additional mineral resource at a direct exploration cost of…

Aluminium producer Alcoa has reaffirmed its commitment to modernise the approvals framework for its bauxite mining in WA. The state’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has opened a public comment period on whether it should conduct an environmental impact assessment into parts of Alcoa’s current and next rolling five-year plans for its mines in southwest WA. These plans were referred to the EPA for assessment by a third party in February. Following public consultation, the EPA will decide whether to conduct an assessment into parts of these mine plans. There is no set timeframe for the EPA’s determination. Alcoa Australia president Matt Reed said the public comment period is an important step in the EPA process and gaining clarity on the…

Meandu coal mine owner and Central Queensland hydrogen (CQ- H2) project consortium partner, Stanwell Corporation, has teamed up with CQUniversity (CQU) and ACCIONA Energía to develop online learning programs for Queensland secondary school students focused on the State’s hydrogen and renewable energy sectors. The new free courses, under the umbrella name Fuelling a hydrogen future: STEM Skills for Secondary Learning, have been developed in partnership with the Queensland Government for Years 7-12 and aim to build industry-school connections. Queensland Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer says the Queensland Government is investing in the younger generation through the expansion of its Gateway to Industry Skills Program (GISP), which will now include hydrogen. “Hydrogen GISP captures more than 2000 students across…

In the 2022-2023 financial year, mining contributed a record $455b in export revenue, highlighting the importance of the industry to the nation’s economy, government revenue and regional jobs. Released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), this figure represents 66% of all export revenue for the nation and is 10.5% higher that 2021-2022, which was a previous record year. This figure showed that thermal and metallurgical coal export revenue totalled $128b, iron ore $125b, gold $27.4b, aluminium $14.9b and copper $12.5b. A strong growth was seen in technology metals such as nickel, 51%, zinc, 30%, copper, 17% and coal, 11%. A 5% increase was also seen in gold export. Australia can’t afford to miss the opportunity to attract a share…

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookey and NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos consulted with coal mining industry representatives last Friday, as NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe also held a separate meeting with coal station operators, to consider options past the end date of the State’s temporary coal cap. The cap will expire on 1 July 2024 and considerations currently on the table include the modernisation of the coal royalty system to ensure it remains fit for purpose. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says “these consultations are critical to ensuring we strike the right balance for the people of New South Wales and key industry stakeholders”. “It is important to meet representatives of the coal mining industry and hear their views on the…

Mineral Resources has invested $26.6m in UK-based Binding Solutions (BSL), a technology company that significantly reduces energy use and emissions in the productions of iron ore pellets. Binding Solutions will use the investment to progress the design and construction of a demonstration plant capable of producing around 50t per hour of cold-bonded iron ore pellets. Using minimal heat and limited energy, BSL’s process produces high-quality pellets or briquette (compressed block of coal dust) products for the iron ore and steel industry. This technology reduces energy use and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95% and 93%, respectively, compared to traditional processes. It also virtually eliminates sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Mineral Resources’ managing director Chris Ellison said this technology…

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has released detailed information on 14 of its global tailings facilities and their progress towards conformance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). These tailings facilities are those rated very high or extreme under GISTM classifications, based on the highest potential consequences in the extremely unlikely event of a failure. Rio Tinto chief technology officer Mark Davies commented on the release of information. “Since the tragic failure of the tailings facility at Brumadinho in Brazil in 2019, the entire industry has been working to improve the way we manage tailings facilities,” he said. “Responsible tailings management is critical to ensure the safety of our people and communities and to protect the environment. We have made…

Toll milling and processing of the first parcel of gold ore from Auric Mining’s (ASX:AWJ) Jeffreys Find gold mine is expected to be completed on August 7. The initial parcel of 36,000t of ore is being processed at the Greenfields Mill at Coolgardie. All gold doré from the first milling campaign will soon be at the Perth Mint where final refining will be undertaken. The number of ounces of gold from the maiden milling campaign will be known shortly and released to the market. Managing director Mark English is pleased with the process made. “We are highly satisfied to have put more tonnes through the mill than we anticipated; the first parcel was approximately 36,000t,” he said. “The project is…

AquaBlue Seafoods is one of Australia’s most modern and technically advanced aquaculture operations on the east coast, created by Neil Meyrick and Terry Brissett to bring dams, ponds and lakes back to life. Now expanding into end-of-life mine cycles, the Australian Mining Review spoke with Neil about the history behind the company and how stocking former minesite dams is environmentally friendly. AMR: Can you share the story behind how AquaBlue Seafoods started? NM: I was working in Sydney at the time and a friend of mine, Terry Brissett, mentioned that he’d like to grow fish. It struck a chord with me as something beneficial for the environment and ease the pressure on our natural resources. Restocking was mentioned in our…

Newmont Corporation has received clearance from Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Independent Consumer & Competition Commission (ICCC) to proceed with the proposed acquisition of Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM). In consultation with Newcrest, Newmont has also determined that no premerger notification under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act will be required in the United States for the transaction to move forward. Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer commented on the ICCC outcome. “We appreciate the ICCC in Papua New Guinea carefully reviewing and clearing our proposed acquisition of Newcrest,” he said. “We remain committed to building strong, mutually beneficial and long lasting relationships with PNG’s government and local communities. “As part of this commitment, Newmont plans to establish PNG as a standalone fifth region in…

ASM Korea Co, a subsidiary of Australian Strategic Materials (ASX:ASM), has signed a five-year binding sales and tolling framework agreement with USA Rare Earth for the supply of neodymium iron boron alloy. The agreement enhances ASM’s growing customer portfolio and strengthens its strategic supply relationships with the US magnet production industry, via its Korean Metals Plant. The Korean Metals Plant will supply neodymium iron boron alloy to support USA Rare Earth’s production ramp-up of high-performance rare earth magnets. USA Rare Earth is poised to become the leading domestic supplier of rare earth magnets and heavy rare earth elements required for the electric vehicle, green energy, consumer electronics and defence industries. It owns a magnet production facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma and…