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Australian Mining Review

Future Battery Minerals initiates metallurgical test work at Kangaroo Hills lithium project

Future Battery Minerals initiates metallurgical test work at Kangaroo Hills lithium project 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...

Australian Mining Review

Movement in the Resources Community Investment Initiative

Movement in the Resources Community Investment Initiative 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...

BHP - Australian Mining Review

BHP’s strategy for value growth in a decarbonising world

BHP's strategy for value growth in a decarbonising world 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...

The second tranche of grants under the Critical Minerals Development Program provides funding to early to mid-stage critical minerals projects towards financing and production.

Australian critical minerals projects given another $50m

Australian critical minerals projects given another $50m 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...

Epiroc purchases Schramm Australia.

Epiroc purchases RC drilling manufacturer Schramm Australia

Epiroc purchases RC drilling manufacturer Schramm Australia 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...

Australian Mining Review

Encounter Resources expands South32 farm-in tenure for Jessica Copper project

Encounter Resources expands South32 farm-in tenure for Jessica Copper project 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...

Monadelphous to acquire BMC in Victoria

Monadelphous to acquire BMC in Victoria

Monadelphous to acquire BMC in Victoria 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...

International Graphite secures prime Collie site

International graphite secures Collie site for battery anode material manufacturing plant

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...

Preparation for first blast at Auric Mining's Jeffreys Find in WA.

Auric commences mining at Jeffreys Find in WA

Auric commences mining at Jeffreys Find in WA 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...

Australian Mining Review

Northern Territory progresses towards carbon capture and storage hub, enabling low-emission industries

Northern Territory progresses towards carbon capture and storage hub, enabling low-emission industries Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is drawing closer to reality in the Northern Territory (NT) as the government collaborates with industry leaders to establish a common-user hub at Middle Arm. This initiative aims to utilise emissions from current and future natural gas processing operations to support the development of low emissions industries that utilise carbon dioxide (CO2) and clean hydrogen as feedstocks. A recent report by Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, underscores the potential of CO2 utilisation to drive low-emission manufacturing in the NT. The report explores various CO2 utilisation prospects that can enable low-emission manufacturing and boost the Territory's economy. It expands on CSIRO's earlier CO2 Utilisation...

Australian Mining Review

Quantum computing and Australian mining: developments from CSIRO

Quantum computing and Australian mining: developments from CSIRO Quantum computing is a groundbreaking field of science that holds the potential to revolutionise various industries and reshape our world. As Australia positions itself as a global leader in quantum technologies, the country's scientific research organisation, CSIRO, is at the forefront of developing quantum applications for the mining sector. By leveraging advanced technologies like Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) and embracing the concept of zero-entry mines powered by digitalisation and automation, Australia is driving significant advancements in the mining industry. Recent developments from CSIRO in quantum computing promise to have a transformative impact on Australian mining. The power of squids in mineral exploration CSIRO's LandTEM, a portable exploration tool, utilises SQUIDs to...