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Summit Nanotech has announced a major milestone in water efficiency for lithium extraction, reinforcing its position as a global leader in sustainable direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. Independent validation confirmed that Summit’s process uses about 30% less freshwater than evaporation ponds and 50% less than commercial DLE benchmarks, while maintaining high lithium recovery and product quality. Summit Nanotech’s process has delivered consistent performance across commercially viable lithium brine assets in the US, Argentina and Chile including, lithium recovery and impurity rejection within the 96-99% range. This significant advancement in freshwater usage is enabled by Summit’s proprietary flow sequencing method, which requires benchmark low make-up water compared with evaporation ponds and all other DLEs, including the most advanced ion exchange (IX)…

Queensland’s resources safety and health regulator has issued an industry-wide safety alert after a worker was trapped between two vehicles in an incident at a Central Queensland coal mine. While reversing, a tilt tray truck came very close to a pick and carry crane, trapping a worker, who was loading rigging gear at the front of the crane, between the two vehicles. Though no one was seriously injured, this incident has raised serious safety concerns. In 2024, a worker at BMA’s Saraji South coal mine in Queensland suffered fatal crush injuries after being pinned between two vehicles. Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) coal mines chief inspector Jacques le Roux says the incident could have been fatal. “While reversing, a…

Tivan and Sumitomo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project in the Northern Territory. The companies will collaborate on exploration, development planning, funding, construction, marketing and distribution and operation of the Molyhil project. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson comments on the agreement. “With our firmwide capabilities rapidly expanding, and with our strong relationships with local stakeholders, Tivan is ideally positioned to develop a high-value critical minerals precinct in central Australia in the years ahead,” he said. “In taking this step Tivan is also mindful of the increasing involvement of governments in the global critical minerals complex. “The Board of Tivan remains committed to advancing our mission of building a strategically important company and to further…

BRAVUS and the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are ready to kick goals in 2026 under a new Platinum Partnership that includes the company’s mining, rail, port and renewables businesses. BRAVUS head of reputation Kate Campbell says the new sponsorship deal will take the powerhouse tie-up between the mine, rail, port and renewables business and the North’s favourite sporting team to its 10-year anniversary in 2028. “We are excited that our BRAVUS brand will feature on the Cowboys’ NRL jersey sleeve from next year so the 2000-plus employees from our local port, mine, rail and renewables businesses can share in the fun of being part of the Cowboys family,” she said. “Our people work and live in Cowboys’ territory — the…

Sandvik is expanding its industry-leading battery-electric underground drill offering to include a battery-powered cable bolter, the first of its kind. Designed for cement grouted cable-bolt installation in underground mines and tunnels, the Sandvik DS422iE is a rock reinforcement drill rig which uses lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery power instead of a diesel engine and offers zero emissions tramming, drilling, bolting and grouting. The LFP battery chemistry provides maximum safety underground while delivering the highest level of productivity and utilisation of the equipment. Due to its revolutionary electric driveline system, the highly automated cable bolter consumes no fuel and generates less heat and noise than conventional drivelines. The result is safer, healthier and more productive cable bolting in underground operations. Sandvik DS422iE…

Metso has introduced its new power transmission (MPT) engineered to meet the rigorous demands of today’s modern mineral processing operations. Featuring the H-Series and R-Series gearbox platforms specifically engineered for horizontal and vertical grinding mills, respectively, the solutions are designed to offer exceptional reliability, serviceability and OEM value in aftermarket applications. The in-house-designed power transmission solutions are engineered to integrate seamlessly with Metso grinding mills for superior performance and simplified maintenance. These benefits translate into increased operational optimisation, extended wear life, minimised downtime and enduring value that supports long-term business success. A genuine Metso solution Initially launched in the aftermarket, the new power transmission lineup expands Metso’s portfolio and capabilities for various grinding applications. With more than 8,000 Metso grinding mills…

Queensland Government-owned Stanwell Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to position the Stanwell power station as a hub for battery innovation. Under the MoU, Stanwell and Quinbrook will pilot one of the world’s first 8-hour duration battery systems at the Stanwell coal-fired power station site near Rockhampton. Unlike conventional large batteries, which offer up to 4-hour duration, the EnerQB battery is designed specifically for 8-hour operation, offering transformative potential for firming renewable energy and supporting industrial growth. Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki says batteries for firming and storage will play a key role, alongside coal and renewables, in Queensland’s future energy mix. “In an increasingly variable energy system, storage capacity is required to…

The Queensland Industrial Court has ruled in favour of the state’s resources regulator to limit operations at Queensland open cut mines during severe lightning storms. Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has issued a safety alert following the outcome, which confirmed it was not safe for mine workers to operate heavy mobile equipment (HME) such as bulldozers and dump trucks, during nearby lightning storms. The court cases arose after RSHQ coal mines chief inspector Jacques le Roux first issued a directive in October 2023 to stop a major mine from operating when a lightning strike was nearby. Mr le Roux says the findings reaffirmed the regulator’s approach to putting the safety of workers first. “Lightning strikes at mines and quarries in Central…

The Federal Government is investing $25m in Melbourne-based company Relectrify to fast-track the roll-out of its world-first battery energy storage system, the AC1. This breakthrough battery technology has the potential to transform energy storage – supporting the transition to a more flexible, low emissions grid as, unlike conventional batteries, the AC1 can generate grid-ready AC power directly from battery cells, without the need for an inverter. This dramatically decreases costs, reduces battery degradation and helps deliver more reliable, affordable energy as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to back Australian made innovation to increase battery efficiency. Federal Industry and Innovation minister Tim Ayres says Australian ingenuity is driving the clean-energy industries of the future. “By supporting companies like Relectrify, we’re…

Two Curtin University researchers have been recognised among Australia’s top emerging science leaders, named joint WA winners of the 2025 Young Tall Poppy Science Awards. Geologist Dr Denis Fougerouse and geospatial scientist Dr Yongze Song, are the two winners of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS)’ prestigious award, celebrated for their respective research driving Australia’s clean energy and smart infrastructure futures. Dr Denis Fougerouse is a geologist pioneering research in nanogeoscience and a key member of Curtin’s Geoscience Atom Probe facility. Dr Fougerouse is helping secure Australia’s role in the global transition to clean energy by improving how we find and extract critical minerals, the essential elements powering renewable technologies like batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. Despite…