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Newmont receives Papua New Guinea ICCC clearance for Newcrest acquisition Newmont Corporation has received clearance from Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Independent Consumer & Competition Commission (ICCC) to proceed with the proposed acquisition of Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM). In consultation with Newcrest, Newmont has also determined that no premerger notification under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act will be required in the United States for the transaction to move forward. Newmont president and chief executive Tom Palmer commented on the ICCC outcome. “We appreciate the ICCC in Papua New Guinea carefully reviewing and clearing our proposed acquisition of Newcrest,” he said. “We remain committed to building strong, mutually beneficial and long lasting relationships with PNG’s government and...

Australian Strategic Materials signs five-year sales framework agreement with USA Rare Earth ASM Korea Co, a subsidiary of Australian Strategic Materials (ASX:ASM), has signed a five-year binding sales and tolling framework agreement with USA Rare Earth for the supply of neodymium iron boron alloy. The agreement enhances ASM’s growing customer portfolio and strengthens its strategic supply relationships with the US magnet production industry, via its Korean Metals Plant. The Korean Metals Plant will supply neodymium iron boron alloy to support USA Rare Earth’s production ramp-up of high-performance rare earth magnets. USA Rare Earth is poised to become the leading domestic supplier of rare earth magnets and heavy rare earth elements...

Toyota Australia-BHP partnership drives decarbonisation through electrification of light vehicles Toyota Australia and BHP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing safety and decarbonisation measures within BHP's Australian operations. The two industry-leading brands will work together across safety, engineering and product development teams, focusing...

EQ Resources achieves monthly concentrate production record at Mt Carbine EQ Resources (ASX:EQR) has achieved a new monthly concentrate production record at its Mt Carbine tungsten mine in Far North Queensland. Mt Carbine produced 110t of 50% tungsten concentrate, nearly twice the June monthly production, driven by processing of first primary ore from the Andy white open pit. EQ Resources is pleased that the head-grade of the initial open pit production and grade control drilling met expectations announced in mid-July in the ‘Confirmation of Initial Ore Reserve Section at Mt Carbine’ release. Understanding the mining of the ore body with successive blasts is leading to increased efficiency and handling...

Rugby Run solar farm: from try lines to solar lines Bravus’ renewables powerhouse Rugby Run continues to be among Australia’s top performing solar farms, as the facility approaches its fourth year of operations. The central Queensland renewables project once again achieved a podium finish as the third-highest performing photovoltaic asset in the country in June. Rugby Run is located near Moranbah in central Queensland and features 247,000 solar panels that generate 185,000MWh of power each year. Bravus business manager for renewables Derek Chapman says the company is proud of the latest solid performance from Bravus’ flagship solar investment in Australia. “Rugby Run is located in one of the...

Pilbara Minerals and Calix make final investment decision for mid-stream demonstration plant Lithium producer Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and environmental technology company Calix (ASX:CXL) have made a final investment decision to construct and operate a mid-stream demonstration plant at the Pilgangoora project.   The project aims to demonstrate the potential to reduce carbon emissions intensity for the hard-rock lithium supply chain via the creation of a high-purity lithium-rich chemical salt using electric calcination that could be powered by renewable energy. Life cycle assessment studies commissioned by Pilbara Minerals have calculated that when using 100% renewable electricity for electric calcination, the carbon emissions intensity of spodumene calcination can be reduced by more...

New data shows the number of apprentices and trainees in the Australian mining industry increased 19% in 2022, according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The figures, released yesterday, confirmed 7,689 apprentices and trainees joined the mining workforce in 2022, which included a 14% increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a 26% jump for women compared to 2021. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable says apprenticeships and traineeships are an important pathway into the minerals industry, with high demand for qualified tradespeople in highly paid and secure jobs. “The mining industry has for decades invested in collaborative partnerships such as developing tailored work readiness, apprenticeship and traineeship, cadetship and recruitment pathways,” she...

Australian Rare Earths applies for exploration licences south of Koppamurra Australian Rare Earths (ASX:AR3) has submitted applications for four exploration licences which are believed to host an extension of key geological setting at its Koppamurra rare earths project. If granted, the exploration licences will increase prospective tenure south of Koppamurra by 2700km2 to more than 6700km2. Based on a review of historic drilling and the shallow nature of the mapped Gambier limestone in the region, these application areas are considered an extension of the Koppamurra rare earth mineral province. The Gambier limestone is thought to play a critical role in the mineralisation process at Koppamurra and is deemed highly prospective for...

Broons sells impact roller division to Conplant It is the end of an era for Australian compaction equipment manufacturer Broons Group, 40 years after launching its "square" roller, as the company sells its impact roller division to Sydney-based Conplant. Broons Group director Stuart Bowes says it is time to hand over the impact roller business to “a new partner who is keen to invest in this unique technology and develop it even further”. Mr Bowes says Broons, which has been operating for 50 years, will focus on and grow the other parts of the business. “We continue to see enormous demand for our towed compaction equipment range right...

Carmichael mine delivers first 10mt of coal A huge milestone for the Carmichael mine near Clermont in Central Queensland with its first 10mt of high-quality thermal coal mined and railed for export. This includes shipments sent during testing and commissioning of the mine’s export infrastructure, as well as the tonnes railed to the port for export during the first year of mining operations. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the 10mt railed milestone is an achievement shared by the tens of thousands of people. “This is a terrific milestone for our team, our contracting partners, and supporters of our business,” he said. “It also shows clear delivery on the commitments we’ve made, particularly to people in...

Rio Tinto to acquire Chilean assets, commits $150m to Centre for Future Materials Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) is set to purchase PanAmerican Silver’s 57.74% stake in Agua de la Falda S.A., a company with exploration tenements in Chile’s Atacama region. The company has also entered a joint venture with Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) to explore and potentially develop Agua de la Falda’s assets. Rio will acquire PanAmerican’s 57.74% stake in Agua for $45m and the grant of new smelter returns royalties. Rio will also acquire 100% of nearby concessions known as the Meridian Property for $550k and the grant of new smelter returns royalties. Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile holds...