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Substantial REE anomalies discovered at Nolans east Substantial rare earth element (REE) anomalies have been defined at Bubalus Resources’ (ASX:BUS) Nolans east project in the Northern Territory. Recent sampling has defined seven large-scale rare earth element anomalies at surface across the target area, extending previously identified ones as well as identifying new ones. The anomalies are based on assay results from 1687 samples, with 267 returning more than 500 parts per million total rare earth oxides (TREO). Sampling was carried out at spacing of 400m by 100m and 200m by 100m, with 50m by 50m spacing completed over anomalies within the original sampling area. The anomaly initially sampled by...

Agrimin continues with process test work at Mackay Additional process test work with leading equipment vendors is ongoing at Agrimin’s (ASX:AMN) Mackay potash project in WA. Process test work Agrimin’s integrated owner’s team, supported by Turner & Townsend JukesTodd as project management consultant, is progressing several front end engineering design (FEED) work streams. The outcomes of the FEED study will provide a greater degree of accuracy for operating and capital costs, as well as minimise the risk of material changes during the execution phase of the project. An extensive technical review during the current FEED phase, together with the reported experienced of other potash projects in...

Monadelphous secures $200m construction contract with Albemarle Engineering company Monadelphous (ASX:MND) has secured a $200m construction contract with Albemarle to expand the Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant in the south west region of WA. The contract includes front-end pyromet structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation works associated with two new lithium processing trains (trains three and four). This contract follows the successful delivery of construction packages on trains one and two, plus the recently awarded long-term maintenance and sustaining capital projects contracts at Albemarle’s Kemerton operations. Monadelphous managing director Zoran Bebic said the award of this contract represents the first in a new wave of major construction projects to come to market. “We...

Fenix Resources acquires Mount Gibson Iron’s Mid-West assets Fenix Resources (ASX:FEX) has acquired Mount Gibson Iron’s (ASX:MGX) Mid-West iron ore, port and rail assets.   The assets Fenix has acquired include the Shine iron ore mine, two on-wharf bulk material storage sheds at Geraldton Port, two rail sidings at Ruvidini and Perenjori and mining assets and obligations at the Extension Hill iron ore mine. The purchase consisted of $10m in cash, 60m fully paid ordinary Fenix shares and 25m options. Following the completion of the transaction, Mount Gibson holds around 8.6% of Fenix’s issued ordinary shares. The acquisition of Mount Gibson’s assets provides Fenix the opportunity to reduce the cost of...

Fortescue Metals ships first delivery of high-grade magnetite from Iron Bridge Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) has shipped its first delivery of high-grade magnetite to Vietnam from its newly built Iron Bridge operations in WA. Fortescue chief executive Fiona Hick was joined by Nyamal Traditional Custodians and representatives from Fortescue’s Iron Bridge joint venture partner Formosa in Port Hedland as the first shipment was loaded. Ms Hick said today was a special day for Fortescue. “Today is a truly special day for Fortescue. Last week we celebrated 20 years since Fortescue was founded, and today, we celebrate our first shipment of high-grade magnetite product from our most complex and innovative...

Rio Tinto enters $1b joint venture to manufacture and market recycled aluminium products Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has entered a joint venture with Giampaolo Group to manufacture and market recycled aluminium products. One of North America’s largest fully integrated metal management businesses, Giampaolo Group focuses on harvesting waste within the metal ecosystem by operating within the manufacturing, recycling and IT asset disposition space. Giampaolo chief executive Chris Galifi said the company is excited to partner with Rio Tinto. “I am delighted to partner with Rio Tinto, a leader in the global aluminium industry,” he said. “We have steadily invested within the recycling supply chain and have...

Antipa Minerals outlines Paterson and Wilki FY24 exploration programs Antipa Minerals (ASX:AZY) has outlined the planned FY24 exploration programs for the Paterson and Wilki farm-in projects. Managing director Roger Mason is excited for work to be underway. “We are excited to have multiple drill rigs turning across all four of Antipa’s Paterson Province projects during the second half of this calendar year, with our partners Rio Tinto, IGO and Newcrest aiming to complete a total of approximately 13,000m of drilling as part of the three combined $8.6m FY24 exploration programs,” he said. “All drilling programs, are heavily focused on growth, testing a range of compelling targets offering the...

South32 sets three annual production records in FY23 South32 (ASX:S32) has reported strong growth in aluminium, copper and manganese production, setting three annual production records in FY23. Aluminium production increased 14% to 1133kt in FY23 as the Hillside aluminium smelter achieved record production and South32 benefitted from its investments in low-carbon aluminium capacity at Mazal aluminium and Brazil aluminium. Group copper equivalent production increased 9% in the June 2023 quarter, bolstered by a return to stable operations following adverse weather and other temporary impacts in the prior quarter. South32’s Australian and South African manganese operations achieved annual production records, delivering a 4% increase in manganese production in FY23 to 5653kwmt. Further, base metals...

The Australian Government opens the Resources Methane Abatement Fund The Australian Government has opened the Resources Methane Abatement Fund to fund research into reducing methane emissions across the resources sector. Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the fund would provide around $8.5m in grants to universities and research institutions to develop projects that will cut methane emissions from the country’s coal and gas industries.    “The Australian government is committed to lowering emissions and playing a lead role in helping the world to decarbonise and fight climate change,” she said. “Fugitive emissions from coal and gas projects are responsible for around 29% of Australia’s methane emissions. “The Albanese...

Rio Tinto increases production from Pilbara operations Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has seen a 3% increase in production from its Pilbara operations for the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same time last year. Pilbara operations produced 81.3Mt in the quarter as the Gudai-Darri mine achieved sustained nameplate capacity during the period. Shipments totalled 79.1mt, 1% lower than Q2 2022, reflecting the impact of planned major maintenance at the Dampier port and a train derailment. With operational improvements across the system and implementation of the safe production system, full-year shipments are expected to be in the upper half of the 320-335mt range. With a focus on continuously improving...

BHP achieves annual production records across operations Mining conglomerate BHP (ASX:BHP) has achieved annual production records at Western Australia iron ore (WAIO), Spence and Olympic Dam for the 2023 financial year. For the year, WAIO produced 285Mt of iron ore, the Spence mine in Chile produced 240,000t of copper and Olympic Dam produced 212,000t of copper and 186,000oz of refined gold. As a result, full-year production guidance was achieved for copper, iron ore, metallurgical coal and energy coal, while nickel achieved revised guidance and finished in line within the lower end of the original guidance. Chief executive Mike Henry credited the strong year to the company’s fourth quarter. “BHP finished the year...