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RAMELIUS Resources Limited (ASX:RMS) is on track to exceed its June quarter and annual production guidance. The gold producer is expected to exceed 80,000oz of production in the June quarter, up from the previous guidance of 65,000-70,000oz. A total of 74,371oz of gold production was reached on 21 June 2020. There are two weekly gold pours remaining for the rest of FY2020. The company also upgraded its FY2020 production guidance to 225,000-230,000oz, up from the previous guidance of 210,000-220,000oz. Ramelius managing director Mark Zeptner credits the excellent performance from the WA operations, particularly Mt Magnet. “We are obviously delighted by the operational performance in achieving records in both quarterly and annual gold production, particularly against the backdrop of COVID-19 and…

IN a boost to the territory’s economy and jobs, Nathan River Resources has been granted further approval to develop the next stage of its Nathan River Project in the Roper Gulf region. Nathan River Resources, owned by British Marine Group (Britmar), took over the former Western Desert Resources Roper Bar iron ore mine in 2017 after the previous owner went into liquidation. The mine, an established open-cut iron ore mine located 55km southeast of Ngukurr, had been in care and maintenance since April 2015. In February 2018, Nathan River Resources was approved to reopen the mine and ship existing stockpiled minerals and process low-grade ore at the site. With this latest approval now granted, Nathan River Resources estimates about 1mt…

ALCOA Australia is looking to expand operations in WA’s southwest in a recent application to the WA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The company has applied to the EPA to increase production at its Pinjarra Alumina Refinery and increase the rate of bauxite mining at the existing Huntly Mine. In the proposal, Alcoa is looking to increase alumina production at the refinery by 5pc to 5.25mtpa. It is also seeking to increase the rate of mining within the Huntly mine to supply 2.5mtpa of bauxite for export. The proposal also includes the transition of the Huntly mine into the Myara North and Holyoake regions. The EPA states a maximum 6,700ha of native vegetation will require clearing for the Huntly Mine expansion…

S&P GLOBAL Market Intelligence latest report on lithium and cobalt paints a revealing picture for the rare earths’ market. Though the fall-out from COVID-19 has seen total sales and growth of EV’s slow in China, S&P are predicting an increase in sales in Europe due to stricter vehicle emissions standards pushing drivers toward electric vehicles. European and Chinese government policies favour of EV’s driving down battery costs. European car-makers including Volkswagen and BMW have made investments in the EV market which should bear fruit over the course of 2020 as EU transitions toward carbon neutrality. The EV sales should lead to an increase in the Lithium Carbonate price which has so far decline 9.5% this year, averaging US$8,121 p/t in…

A RESEARCH project by Painted Dog has revealed that contributions from mining in WA are much more significant than eastern states residents realise, with many attributing NSW and Victoria with a far higher percentage of the national export figures than they actually are. The West Australian reported that WA contributes 36.5% or $171.4b of the $470b worth of exports, compare to NSW and Queensland in second place with a much smaller 20% contribution while Victoria lagged behind with 12%. This contrasted with the perception by 75% of those surveyed who lived in NSW and half of those who live in Vic, who wrongly assumed that their own state was the top contributor. Premier Mark McGowan oft cited phrase that WA…

ONE of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is by washing our hands often with soap and water, or if that is not an option, by using hand sanitiser. And because right now everyone is being extra vigilant about keeping our hands squeaky-clean, hand sanitiser is in short supply. To help, Rio Tinto teams around the world are doing everything from donating it to making their own. Here are three reasons why: When it makes its own, it leaves more for others. Six of Rio’s sites in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States have already made around 7000 litres. By making its own, the company can make sure it has enough to keep its employees’…

VENTURE Minerals has made a significant gold discovery at its Kulin Project in WA. This emerging province boasts a proven pedigree, hosting several major gold deposits such as Boddington (30moz), Edna May (2.2moz), Katanning (1.2moz) and Tampia (0.7moz). Venture initially carried out surface sampling and mapping programs at Kulin to target nickel and platinum group element mineralisation. But follow-up soil sampling uncovered a cluster of six high-grade  gold in soil anomalies, comparable to the soil geochemical footprint of the 0.7moz Tampia Gold Deposit. Managing Director Andrew Radonjic said Venture was also encouraged by the historic gold exploration work done by BHP which had already recognised Kulin as a gold target as it did for Tampia which, following Ramelius’ takeover, is…

EXCEPTIONAL women in leadership positions have today been recognised in the NSW Women in Mining Awards 2020. The yearly awards, run by the NSW Minerals Council, recognises and celebrates the contributions and achievements of women and gender diversity champions in the NSW mining industry. NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said the awards are a wonderful opportunity to highlight the outstanding women in the mining industry. “ are a shining light for women and girls interested in joining this important industry,” she said. NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said the awards showcase some of the highly skilled women who are helping to keep the world-class mining industry in NSW operating during the…

COPPER has bounced back from the effects of COVID-19, rising to US$5700/t, the highest it’s been in three months. The high level has been due to robust demand from China, the world’s top consumer of copper. It’s a welcome spike for the base metal, which dropped to  $4300 in March. Copper production is expected to climb by 3.1pc between 2020 and 2029 as global output increases by more than 6mt. BHP is currently awaiting approval from the South Australian Government for a copper production increase from 200,000 to 350,000tpa at its Olympic Dam mine. South Australia is the country’s main copper explorer, with national exploration budgets for the commodity reaching $272m last year.