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Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) has received formal positive final investment decision (FID) to proceed with stage one development of the Kanmantoo underground copper mine in South Australia. Ove its initial four-year schedule, stage one is expected to deliver 43.5kt of copper in concentrate. Stage one will focus on two of the nine known mineral lodes at Hillgrove that were either drilled or mined as part of the open pit. These lodes remain open at depth and along strike with drilling underway to expand mine life and annual copper production. The project is fully funded through a $38m placement and share purchase plan and is without debt. In anticipation of a positive investment decision, underground development began in May with initial cuts…

Emerging silica sands developer and explorer Diatreme Resources (ASX:DRX) has received Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) referral decision for its Northern silica project. Via a referral with the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the EPBC Act has determined the project a “controlled action”. The Northern silica project constitutes a controlled action for the following matters: world heritage properties, national heritage places, listed migratory species, Great Barrier Reef marine park and listed threatened species and communities. This follows the lodgement made in May 2023 with the Queensland Government agreeing that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is appropriate for the Northern silica project. With these processes now confirmed, Diatreme will be advancing further site…

WA lithium company Global Lithium Resources (ASX:GL1) has executed a land access agreement for exploration and prospecting with Kakarra Part B for the Manna lithium project. Kakarra Part B is the native title claim group for the land underlying Manna which is situated 100 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie.  This agreement underlines the framework for Global Lithium to undertake Aboriginal heritage surveys to support ongoing exploration and pre-development work at Manna. It is in-line with the requirements of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (WA) which takes effect from July 1, 2023. GL1 managing director Ron Mitchell said the company is looking forward to building a partnership with the Kakarra people. “It is a pleasure to be building a relationship with…

The Western Australian Treasury Corporation (WATC) has successfully launched the State’s first green bond – raising $1.9b for eligible government projects that deliver environmental outcomes. The bond was heavily oversubscribed with more than $6b in bids received from over 60 investors. WA’s ‘use of proceeds bond’ supports eligible projects delivering positive environment outcomes such as the state’s investment to decarbonise the electricity grid. This includes batteries, wind farms, rebates, standalone power systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the issue of the green bond is a key milestone for the state. “The successful issue of the state’s inaugural green bond is a key milestone in the evolution of our borrowing program,” she said. ‘’It reflects the…

MACA has been awarded a five-year extension to its open pit mining contract at the Gruyere gold mine. Located around 1200 kilometres north-east of Perth in WA’s north-eastern Goldfields region, the Gruyere gold mine is held in joint venture between Gold Fields and Gold Road Resources (ASX:GOR). Currently, the mine has a mine life of more than 10 years and last year Gruyere delivered record annual gold production of 314,647oz. Gold Fields executive vice president Stuart Mathews is pleased MACA will continue its services. “Gold Fields Australia is pleased that a tier one business partner like MACA will continue supporting our Gruyere JV gold mine ensuring a continuity of service and the relationships we have built through all aspects of…

Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu has increased its holding in Delta Lithium (ASX:DLI) to 15% following a $46.4m investment. Increasing its shareholding from 2.76% to 15% from an initial $5m investment, Idemitsu is continuing its strategy of diversifying its portfolio and investing in high-growth markets (mining news).   Idemitsu chief executive Steve Kovac said the second investment is an exciting move for the company. “Idemitsu’s second major investment in Delta Lithium is another exciting move as we double down on our strategic investments in critical minerals as the world turns to a more advanced renewable future,” he said. ‘’As global demand for critical minerals and rare earths grow, we continue to target investment opportunities with a focus on energy-related minerals including…

WA Kaolin (ASX:WAK) has strengthened its cash position by $5m after signing a term sheet for the sale of its Kwinana property for $7m. The sale was made to Coogee Chemicals and consisted of everything on the property, excluding the plant and equipment which remain WA Kaolin’s custody. As part of the sale, WA Kaolin secured excellent leaseback terms with Coogee Chemicals, allowing the company to use the Kwinana property for the next three years. This provides WA Kaolin with stability and continuity for its continuing operations at the site which will continue to focus on the research and development of new product offerings. In exchange for providing Coogee Chemicals access to park vehicles, tanks and equipment on a section…

IperionX (ASX:IPX) has agreed to supply titanium metal components to automobile manufacturer, Ford Motor Company.   Under the scope of work (SoW), IperionX will supply its 100% recycled low-carbon titanium metal for future Ford Performance production vehicles. Ford Performance is the racing and high-performance division of Ford and is well-known for its performance cars such as the F150 Raptor, Shelby GT500, Mustang Mach 1 and Bronco Raptor. Ford is aiming to become the only manufacturer competing in Formula 1, Le Mans 24 Hours with Mustang GT3, WRC and the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally 1, Baja 1000 with Ranger Raptor and Bronco, and NASCAR and Supercars with Mustang. Automotive parts made with titanium have superior strength-to-weight rations, outstanding durability and…

Australia’s largest rail freight company Aurizon (ASX:AZJ) is on track to build the first zero-emissions capable freight locomotive constructed in Australia. Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has been contracted to undertake this innovative project that will transform a 4000-class diesel locomotive into a full battery operation. The locomotive will be powered by batteries which will capture re-generative energy when the trains travel downhill or brake. The locomotive will have 4.5MWh of battery capacity ­– equivalent to 90 Tesla Model 3’s – and it burns 16L/h in idle and up to 590L/h at full throttle. For hauls of up to 400km, the locomotives will be fitted with batteries while hauls for up to 850km will be fitted with batteries and an…

The world’s biggest steelmaker, China Baowu, and the world’s largest iron ore producer, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore multiple new industry-leading projects. The projects include the research, build and demonstration of a pilot-scale electric melter at one of Baowu’s steel mills in China. This will enable the production of low-carbon steel making using direct reduced iron produced from low and medium grade ores. Other projects include optimising pelletisation technology for Australian ores as a feedstock for low-carbon shaft furnace-based direct reduction and expanding the development of China Baowu’s HyCROF technology which largely mitigates CO2 emissions from the blast furnace process. Both companies will also jointly study opportunities for producing low-carbon iron in WA.…

BRAVUS mining and resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe has made a toast to the regional Queensland city of Townsville amongst a slew of some of the country’s most important mining companies at the 2023 mining and resources forum in Townsville in early June. Townsville Enterprise presented its 2023 Mining and Resources Forum on June 6, bringing together speakers from across the mining industry to discuss and celebrate the state’s unofficial northern capital and its contribution to mining and renewables. The event, which was sponsored by local news outlet The Townsville Bulletin alongside The Ville Resort-Casino, Bravus Mining and Resources, Glencore, Goldtower, Helix Legal, MMG, Orica, The Port of Townsville, PowerLink and Wulguru Technical Services, spruiked the benefits the city…