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WA Government gives approval for Collie graphite micronising qualification plant Works approval has been received from the WA Government to install new graphite micronising equipment at International Graphite’s (ASX:IG6) research and development facility in Collie. The equipment is currently in transit from North America and is expected to arrive at Fremantle Port in September 2023. This custom-built qualification-scale plant is a significant advancement on International Graphite’s pilot processing plant which was commissioned in September 2022. The new qualification plant is designed to process graphite concentrates to produce a commercial graphite product for quality and performance evaluation by potential customers. Capable of producing 100tpa to 200tpa of micronised graphite,...

WA Government allocates $3m for battery materials laboratory in Bentley A new research and development laboratory facility has opened in Bentley, marking another milestone being met in WA’s path to becoming a global battery materials manufacturing hub. Through its Investment Attraction Fund, the WA State Government has allocated $3m to local company AustVolt, which is working towards developing and producing battery precursor cathode active material (pCAM). pCAM is a vital component for manufacturing lithium battery cells which have a range of uses including in electric vehicles. This new Bentley facility will allow AustVolt to produce samples of its pCAM product, which can be used in battery manufacturing trials within the electric vehicle industry....

Lefroy confirms high-grade 15kt resource at Goodyear Lefroy Exploration Limited (ASX: LEX) has today announced that independent global consultancy, CSA Global, completed a review of the mineral resource estimate (MRE) in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) for its Goodyear nickel deposit in WA. Goodyear now reports as 392,000t @ 3.78% Ni for 14,780t of contained nickel sulphide at a 1% nickel cut- off grade. The review confirms the original mineral resource, reported in 2008 by Australian Mines Limited, in accordance with the JORC Code 2004 Edition. Lefroy managing...

Tech it to the next level: IMDEX major partner in robotics testing centre IMDEX (ASX: IMD) has become the first major industry partner of the new 51ha Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) in Neerabup, 40km north of the Perth CBD in WA. Signing on for an initial two-years to build and maintain a common user drill pad as part of the 22ha mine test and development site called “Dirt Lab”, IMDEX aims to accelerate testing and demonstration of technology including its award-winning BLAST DOGTM at a site close to its Balcatta headquarters. IMDEX BLAST DOGTM is a commodity...

BHP Xplor begins search for 2024 cohort BHP Xplor, a six-month cohort-based accelerator program, has begun a global search for its 2024 cohort. After successfully completing its inaugural year in 2023, BHP Xplor is now on the hunt for early-stage explorers and startups focussed on finding new resources of critical minerals needed for the world’s future. BHP Xplor is designed to provide selected participants with the opportunity to accelerate their exploration concepts and potential to establish a long-term partnership with BHP. It offers participants funding, mentorship and coaching as well as connection into BHP’s network of suppliers and service providers. BHP Xplor vice president Sonia Scarselli said the company is thrilled to begin...

Primobius joint venture receives purchase order from Mercedes Primobius GmbH, a joint venture between Neometals (ASX:NMT) and SMS Group GmbH, has received a purchase order for supply of a 10tpd Spoke with Mercedes. The purchase order was awarded as part of a cooperation arrangement with Mercedes, with Primobius responsible for the engineering, equipment supply and installation for a fully integrated, closed loop Mercedes lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling plant. The Mercedes LIB recycling plant marks the automotive giants’ entry into the field of LIB recycling and it ‘aims to cut resource consumption and establish closed-loop recycling of battery raw materials as (Mercedes) moves towards going electric only’.  This plant is expected to have...

Albermarle awards major contract to Compass Group, recruitment drive underway Albermarle has awarded a contract worth nearly $71m to Compass Group Remote Hospitality Services to operate and maintain the Paris Grove workforce accommodation precinct in Australind, near Bunbury, WA. The $140m Paris Grove village is now under construction and will provide accommodation during rosters for up to 800 people working on the $2b expansion of Albemarle’s nearby Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing plant. The contract with Compass Group spans three years with extension provisions and its ESS Support Services Worldwide arm will be responsible for the contract. Around 70 people will be employed by Compass Group on a rolling roster with...

RareX completes enhanced scoping study for Cummins Range RareX (ASX:REE) has completed an enhanced scoping study which delivered positive outcomes from a three-stage project development strategy for its Cummins Range project. The enhanced scoping study built on the learnings and recommendations from the September 2022 scoping study which positioned Cummins Range as Australia’s largest undeveloped rare earths project. The study outlined a fundable, low-CAPEX, stage one direct shipping ore (DSO) phosphate project as the springboard for a longer-term, high-value, low-risk staged rare earths operation. Stage one is simple, fundable and deliverable with significantly lower risk that other development pathways and establishes an operating...

AI helping researchers hear the call of the Black-throated Finch Bravus Mining and Resources has partnered with Queensland scientists to use cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to improve remote monitoring of the Black-throated Finch at the Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland. Researchers from E2M created an automated recogniser to capture the birds’ calls, which will support best practice monitoring of the species and open the door for better surveillance of other rare birds. In a new scientific article published in the international journal Ecological Informatics, the researchers detailed the use of machine learning to make major advances in the technology used to analyse bioacoustics data. Bravus chief operating officer...

BHP records 37% drop in profit despite “strong” financials Despite recording “strong” financial results, the ASX’s largest tock BHP (ASX:BHP) tabled underlying attributable profit of US$13.4b (A$20.9b) for FY23, down 37% from FY22. Revenue was down 17% from FY22 to US$53.8b (A$83.9b) while attributable profit — total operations decreased 58% to US$12.9b (A$20.1b). BHP credits these decreases due to lower prices across iron ore, metallurgical coal and copper. Chief executive Mike Henry commented on the company’s performance. “Our financial results for the year were strong, underpinned by reliable production together with capital and cost discipline as we managed lower commodity prices and inflationary...

Alcoa combats hose failures, invests to reduce leaks and spills Alcoa has nearly halved the amount of spills from its fuel, hydraulic fluid and other hydrocarbons over the past four years at its bauxite operations in the Peel region of WA. And the company says it is on track to cut spills by up to 60% by the end of 2023. The results at Alcoa’s Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines are due to measures including adopting a rigorous preventative maintenance schedule that far exceeds manufacturer recommendations, better training for personnel and introducing more regular inspections of mobile equipment. With a focus on maintaining its...