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The contribution made by the Australian minerals industry to the Federal, state and territory governments from company tax and royalty payments in FY22 jumped 50% from the previous financial year before, reaching a record $63b. This is an increase of $21b from the previous year’s $43b, with the total contribution in FY22 equivalent to paying for the entire Medicare scheme or the Childcare subsidy for two years, according to the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA). MCA chief executive Tania Constable says Australia does well when Australian minerals do well. “Minerals have helped propel our economy forward, boosted economic opportunity and freedom, and enabled the governments to invest in the things that really matter: families, communities and vital services like hospitals,…

Future Battery Minerals Ltd (ASX: FBM) has appointed Minsol Engineering Pty Ltd as the lead metallurgical and engineering consultant for the Kangaroo Hills Lithium Project (KHLP) in WA. Minsol will oversee the early-stage metallurgical test work on the recently drilled spodumene-bearing diamond core to assess its recovery potential through conventional methods such as dense media separation (DMS) and froth flotation. The decision to commence metallurgical test work follows the discovery of a spodumene-bearing pegmatite at the KHLP in March 2023. The test work aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mineralised pegmatite’s characteristics and processing requirements. Minsol, led by principal and process manager Robert Simmons, brings extensive experience in metallurgical test work and lithium project development. Their expertise will…

The WA Premier’s Office announced the appointment of Reg Howard-Smith as the inaugural chair of the Resources Community Investment Initiative RCII Advisory Committee. “I welcome Reg Howard-Smith’s appointment as the inaugural chair of the RCCI Advisory Committee – his extensive experience in both the resources industry and working with government will help to ensure this initiative is a success,” said WA Premier Mark McGowan, commenting on the appointment. The RCII, which aims to facilitate investment from the resources industry in iconic infrastructure projects and community initiatives across WA, has already received commitments from foundation partners. Premier McGowan says significant commitments have been made by the mining majors. “The foundation partners have already committed a total of $750m, which is made…

BHP‘s (ASX: BHP) chief executive officer Mike Henry delivered a speech at the Bank of America 2023 Global Metals, Mining & Steel Conference, discussing the company’s strategies to drive value growth for shareholders. BHP to drive growth for shareholders Mr Henry emphasised BHP’s focus on operational excellence, portfolio optimisation and commitment to social value. He touched upon various aspects, including safety, macroeconomic drivers, long-term growth opportunities, specific growth initiatives, recent acquisitions, reliability, operational excellence and capital projects. Addressing the audience, Mr Henry expressed his gratitude for the conference and acknowledged the tragic fatalities that occurred at Olympic Dam and Port Hedland. “As far as we have come in recent years, we’ve now had two colleagues who haven’t made it home…

The Federal Government has approved nearly $50m in grants to proceed critical minerals projects, including those belonging to Australian Energy Storage Solutions, IGO, International Graphite, Magnium Australia, Australian Strategic Materials and Queensland Pacific Metals. Federal Resources and Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King says the projects will speed up and help Australia and its export partners lower emissions and meet net-zero commitments by 2050, along with diversifying supply chains and build domestic downstream processing. “The successful projects will create jobs and opportunities across regional Australia and help Australia realise its ambitions to be a clean-energy superpower,” she said. “The 13 projects to receive funding under the Critical Minerals Development Program grants include plans to produce key inputs to lithium-ion batteries for…

Epiroc has agreed to purchase the key assets of Schramm Australia, a leading Perth-based mining equipment manufacturer, particularly reverse circulation (RC) drilling products. Schramm Australia has been in voluntary administration since February 2023, with assets including intellectual property, two production facilities near Perth, WA, and two service centres located in Queensland and South Australia. Epiroc president and chief executive Helena Hedblom says Schramm Australia’s approximately 80 employees will be offered employment at Epiroc. “The Schramm products and brand are well known as a global leader in reverse circulation technology,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming the strong team at Schramm Australia to the Epiroc Group.” FTI Consulting voluntary administrator Hayden White says this is a great outcome for Schramm’s…

Encounter Resources Limited (ASX: ENRL) is pleased to announce the significant expansion of the farm-in tenure for the Jessica copper project in the Northern Territory (NT). The expansion comes ahead of the commencement of maiden diamond drilling scheduled for next month. The project is being explored under a farm-in agreement with South32 (ASX: S32), a partnership that aims to unlock the copper potential in the region. Reprocessing of seismic lines has provided further clarity on potential drill targets, and Encounter Resources plans to initiate maiden diamond drilling, covering a distance of 3,500m, in June or July 2023. In addition to the original Jessica tenure, a target generation process has highlighted promising copper prospects adjacent to the project, leading to an…

Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX: MND) has entered into an agreement to acquire BMC, a Victorian-based mechanical and electrical services business, as part of the large engineering company’s strategic move into the east coast energy generation, transmission and storage market. BMC provides specialist high voltage and instrumentation installation, calibration and maintenance services across the power, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, oil and gas and renewables sectors. It services major industry and key utilities throughout Australia, employs about 180 personnel and generates about $60m in revenue per year. This acquisition will support Monadelphous’ efforts to continue supporting Australia’s transition to clean energy, particularly as a maintenance services provider to the growing offshore oil and gas decommissioning sector on the east coast of…

International Graphite Limited (ASX: IG6) has announced that it has selected the preferred site for its proposed Collie Graphite Battery Anode Material (BAM) Facility in WA. The company has signed an exclusive non-binding memorandum of understanding for an option agreement to negotiate a lease over approximately 20ha of privately owned land in the Coolangatta industrial precinct, located 5km north-east of the Collie town centre. The lease period is set for 20 years with a further 20-year extension available, and the option may be exercised within a two-year period. The commercial lease details will be finalised during the option period. This decision follows the release of the company’s scoping study for the Collie Graphite BAM Facility last month. IG6 managing director…

Auric Mining (ASX: AWJ) has commenced open pit mining at its Jeffreys Find project, with first gold pour expected in early July this year. WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has approved the full mining proposal for the project, located about 45km northeast of Norseman in WA and about 750km from Perth. Drill and blast of the first 5m bench has been completed, with contractor BML Ventures expected to be fully mobilised for all mining activities and operational by the end of this week. Between 100,000-150,000t of ore will be hauled to the Greenfields Mill at Coolgardie, WA, from late May where it will be toll-treated. Auric managing director Mark English says this is excellent progress and…