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Mineral Resources makes $26.6m investment in Binding Solutions 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...

Rio Tinto releases information of tailings facilities in alignment with GISTM requirements 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...

Milling and processing of first gold ore parcel nearing completion 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...

In the Spotlight - AquaBlue Seafoods managing director Neil Meyrick   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...

Newmont receives Papua New Guinea ICCC clearance for Newcrest acquisition 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...

Australian Strategic Materials signs five-year sales framework agreement with USA Rare Earth 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...

Toyota Australia-BHP partnership drives decarbonisation through electrification of light vehicles Toyota Australia and BHP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing safety and decarbonisation measures within BHP's Australian operations. The two industry-leading brands will work together across safety, engineering and product development teams, focusing...

EQ Resources achieves monthly concentrate production record at Mt Carbine EQ Resources (ASX:EQR) has achieved a new monthly concentrate production record at its Mt Carbine tungsten mine in Far North Queensland. Mt Carbine produced 110t of 50% tungsten concentrate, nearly twice the June monthly production, driven by processing of first primary ore from the Andy white open pit. EQ Resources is pleased that the head-grade of the initial open pit production and grade control drilling met expectations announced in mid-July in the ‘Confirmation of Initial Ore Reserve Section at Mt Carbine’ release. Understanding the mining of the ore body with successive blasts is leading to increased efficiency and handling...

Rugby Run solar farm: from try lines to solar lines Bravus’ renewables powerhouse Rugby Run continues to be among Australia’s top performing solar farms, as the facility approaches its fourth year of operations. The central Queensland renewables project once again achieved a podium finish as the third-highest performing photovoltaic asset in the country in June. Rugby Run is located near Moranbah in central Queensland and features 247,000 solar panels that generate 185,000MWh of power each year. Bravus business manager for renewables Derek Chapman says the company is proud of the latest solid performance from Bravus’ flagship solar investment in Australia. “Rugby Run is located in one of the...

Pilbara Minerals and Calix make final investment decision for mid-stream demonstration plant Lithium producer Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and environmental technology company Calix (ASX:CXL) have made a final investment decision to construct and operate a mid-stream demonstration plant at the Pilgangoora project.   The project aims to demonstrate the potential to reduce carbon emissions intensity for the hard-rock lithium supply chain via the creation of a high-purity lithium-rich chemical salt using electric calcination that could be powered by renewable energy. Life cycle assessment studies commissioned by Pilbara Minerals have calculated that when using 100% renewable electricity for electric calcination, the carbon emissions intensity of spodumene calcination can be reduced by more...

New data shows the number of apprentices and trainees in the Australian mining industry increased 19% in 2022, according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The figures, released yesterday, confirmed 7,689 apprentices and trainees joined the mining workforce in 2022, which included a 14% increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a 26% jump for women compared to 2021. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable says apprenticeships and traineeships are an important pathway into the minerals industry, with high demand for qualified tradespeople in highly paid and secure jobs. “The mining industry has for decades invested in collaborative partnerships such as developing tailored work readiness, apprenticeship and traineeship, cadetship and recruitment pathways,” she...