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BHP and POSCO partner up on ‘near zero emissions’ tech BHP (ASX: BHP) and POSCO have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) advancing POSCO’s hydrogen reduction ironmaking technology (HyREX). The technology eliminates the sintering and coking processes used in conventional integrated steelworks operations. It consists of a hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) production process using fluidised bed reactors (FBR) and an electric smelting furnace (ESF) process for melting the reduced iron. Trials are planned to be undertaken utilising BHP’s Pilbara iron ore at POSCO’s HyREX demonstration plant in Pohang, South Korea — which,...

Onslow Iron backs strong Q1 results for MinRes Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) is on track to reach its full-year guidance driven by the ramp-up of Onslow Iron to its nameplate capacity and a lithium market rebound in Q1 FY26. Total quarterly iron ore production across the company’s Onslow Iron and Pilbara Hub operations reached 10.9mt with record shipments of 11.4mt, 8.6mt of which were shipped from Onslow Iron — a 50% quarter-on-quarter increase. Costs at MinRes’ Wodinga and Mt Marion lithium projects were lower than expected with the weighted average realised price achieved rising 31% quarter-on-quarter to about $1280/t . Total...

CME calls for power relief, uranium mining and speedier approvals  The WA CME has warned that WA and Australia’s investment fundamentals have become increasingly uncompetitive in its FY27 pre budget submission (PBS).  Restoring the state's standing as an internationally competitive resources jurisdiction is the key theme of the PBS, which identifies timely and efficient approvals processes, project-ready strategic industrial areas and delivery of low emission, reliable and globally cost-competitive energy systems as priority areas for the WA Government.  The mining industry has afforded WA significant economic benefits. In FY24, WA households enjoyed disposable income per capita 9% higher than the national average,...

Anglo American raises iron ore guidance  Anglo American saw steady performance across copper, iron ore and manganese ore in Q3 CY25 as the company continues with its portfolio simplification.  The company says it is well positioned to meet 2025 guidance, with the miner maintaining production and unit cost guidance with the exception of the Minas-Rio iron ore project in Brazil.  In Q3, Minas-Rio benefited from strong operational performance and a successful pipeline inspection, allowing Anglo American to increase guidance from 22-24mt to 23-25mt.  Iron ore production for Q3 dropped 9% from Q3 CY24 primarily driven by anticipated lower production from Minas-Rio due to the...

Transgrid securing NSW energy future Major construction works have commenced on the HumeLink in NSW — one of Australia’s biggest electricity transmission infrastructure projects.  The delivery of this project will reinforce NSW’s southern electricity grid and enable the integration of more renewable generation into the National Electricity Market (NEM), forming the backbone of the power transmission network from South Australia through to northern Queensland. The link will connect at Wagga Wagga with EnergyConnect and form the energy infrastructure needed to help bring cheaper, cleaner renewable energy online from solar and wind generators in south-west NSW.  It...

MinRes boosts Indigenous participation with new joint venture Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has commenced a new joint venture, Yardi Mining Services, to place Traditional Owners of the Onslow Iron project at the centre of sustainable economic participation.  The partnership with wholly owned subsidiary CSI Mining Services (CSI) and Robe River Services (RRS), which represents the Robe River Kuruma (RRK) community in WA, creates pathways for RRK members to gain skills across a diverse range of mining services — from operating heavy machinery such as excavators...

Metso Life Cycle Services model for minerals processing Metso is introducing a groundbreaking Life Cycle Services (LCS) framework to reflect the shift toward outcome-based partnerships and performance-driven business models, while addressing customers’ different levels of support requirements.    Metso has offered LCS for more than 15 years and the new LCS model includes solutions for parts, equipment and process island scopes as well as three partnership levels focusing on stability, optimisation or growth.  Metso integrated service solutions senior vice president Miika Tirkkonen says customers aim to improve efficiency and profitability, although their needs vary greatly.   “Metso is...

Lynas to establish new rare earths facility   Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) is establishing a $180m separation facility in Malaysia to secure a reliable source of heavy rare earth (HRE) oxides outside of China.  The new facility will have the capacity to separate up to 5000tpa of HRE feedstock which will come from the miner’s high-grade Mt Weld rare earths deposit in addition to other sources to be developed.  The phased construction of the facility will see priority projects delivered first. First production of samarium from Mt Weld feedstock is planned for April 2026.  Processing capacity will be progressively added...

Rineheart nearly doubles Arafura stake  Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has committed $125m to Arafura Rare Earths (ASX: ARU) as part of a recent $425m capital raise, bumping Rinehart's holding to about 15.7%.  The capital raise brings Arafura closer to the full funding of $2.3b required for the development of its Nolans rare earths project, located 135km north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Nolans is set to be Australia’s first integrated rare earths mine and processing facility.  The Nolans raise follows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to the US last week where he signed a $13b Australia-US investment framework for rare earths and critical minerals with...

850 jobs on the line as Yandi scales back BHP (ASX: BHP) will be winding down operations at its Yandi iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of WA as the ore body nears depletion. The company has begun informing its workforce, about 650 direct employees and 200 contractors, that operations will be scaled back over the next year before ceasing altogether. BHP first proposed scaling down operations at Yandi in 2017 but strong demand for iron ore led to multiple life-of-mine extensions. The Western Mineworkers' Alliance (WMWA), representing more than 100 members at Yandi, says the announcement comes as...

Liontown working its way out of the red  Liontown (ASX: LTR) is nearing a break-even point as the miner ramps up its underground production and with the open pit nearing completion at its Kathleen Valley operations.   The underground operations achieved a 1mtpa run-rate in September, six months after first stoping. 225kt of underground ore was mined in Q1 FY26, marking a 105% increase from Q4 FY25.   Liontown also saw a 77% increase in open pit ore mined for the quarter with a total of 292kt mined at a weighted average grade of 1.3% lithium oxide.  Liontown managing director and chief...