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Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has reported a successful Q4 FY25 for its flagship Atlas mineral sands project in WA. During Q4, the project generated positive cashflow of $5m and produced 45,900dmt of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) from 674,000t of ore processed with shipments totalling 35,359dmt — exceeding forecasts of 30,000-35,000dmt. The company recorded revenue of $22.2m, averaging $624/t, with operating costs totalling $17.1m, averaging $396/t. Image Resources chief executive Patrick Mutz says achieving positive operating cash flow in Atlas’ first quarter of operations gives the team renewed confidence for a strong second half of the year. “Our development team is now focussing on our pipeline of potential development projects to expand our mine development options,” he said. The company maintained…

IGO (ASX: IGO) has fully impaired its 49% stake in the Kwinana lithium hydroxide refinery in WA, citing ongoing operational issues.  Q4 FY25 lithium hydroxide production of 2126t represented 35% of nameplate capacity for the refinery.   The plant operated at reduced capacity due to equipment failure in Q3, limiting production to May, a further equipment failure in June and other downtime.  IGO managing director Ivan Vella says the refinery operated well below nameplate capacity in the quarter and did not achieve guided production tonnes for the year.  “Despite the strong commitment from the team at site to address operational problems and ongoing issues, IGO has low confidence in the ability of this asset to achieve meaningful, sustained improvement,” he said.  “We continue to…

The Fraser Institute has released its 2024 Annual Survey of Mining Companies, with all Australian jurisdictions suffering declines in investment attractiveness and policy perception compared to 2023.  The overall Investment Attractiveness Index is determined by combining the Best Practices Mineral Potential Index — which rates regions based on their geological attractiveness — and the Policy Perception Index, which measures the effects of government policy on attitudes toward exploration investment.  The survey was circulated electronically to approximately 2289 individuals between August 7, 2024, to December 15, 2024, receiving a total of 350 responses and allowing for the ranking of 82 jurisdictions around the world.  Factors such as regulatory duplication and concerns over disputed land claims lowered investment attractiveness across most Australian jurisdictions,…

Bowen Coking Coal (ASX: BCB) has announced it is closing its Burton mine complex and entering voluntary administration following unsuccessful capital raise attempts. The decision was made following the rejection of the company’s most recent submission to the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) for the short-term deferral of royalties and the inability to secure fresh capital or negotiate alternative commercial arrangements with creditors. Bowen’s move reflects the challenging environment the Queensland coal industry is facing with higher costs, lower global coal prices and increased royalty rates introduced in 2022. The company’s flagship Burton mine complex, located near Moranbah, encompasses multiple coal mining operations, including the Ellensfield South and Plumtree North projects, that serve a central coal handling and preparation plant. Queensland…

Kalamazoo Resources (ASX: KZR) has fast-tracked a scoping study at its 1.44moz Ashburton gold project in WA. Following the conclusion of an option agreement held by De Grey Mining, acquired by Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST), Kalamazoo now wholly owns the Ashburton project and has commenced a scoping study for the optimal developmental pathway at the Mt Olympus deposit. Kalamazoo is leveraging the substantial technical work completed at the site, by De Grey and Northern Star, to accelerate the completion of the study targeted for Q4 CY25. Recent re-optimisation studies conducted at the deposit utilising the conservative gold price of $4,500/oz indicates an increase in estimated mineable material to 772,000oz at 2.53g/t of gold. Recent re-optimisation studies conducted at the…

Construction has commenced on the $400m expansion of Warradarge wind farm near Eneabba, continuing WA’s clean energy transition. The expansions will create more than 120 jobs and includes the construction of 30 additional wind turbines, taking the farm’s capacity to 283MW — a 103MW increase. Warradarge has been operating 51 turbines, with a tip height of 152m and blades 67m long, and producing reliable, renewable energy since 2020. The expanded wind farm will generate significant energy for the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), powering 164,000 households each year — making it the largest wind farm in WA. WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says the expansion represents a significant increase and contribution to renewable power generation across the state.…

Capricorn Metals (ASX: CMM) has received regulatory approval for the development of the Karlawinda expansion project in the Pilbara region of WA. The approval allows Capricorn to undertake all expanded mining activities at the Bibra, Southern Corridor and Berwick open pits, construction and development of a new tailing storage facility, construction works of the expanded processing plant and other infrastructure development. The expansion project was developed in late 2024, and construction is expected to be completed by Q4 FY26. The project will include the installation of a new parallel three-stage crushing and ball mill circuit to increase the total processing capacity from 4mtpa to 6.5mtpa. During Q4 FY25, the company advanced development activities at the project, including extension of the mining…

PLS’ (ASX: PLS) FY25 guidance was achieved or exceeded across all metrics alongside a 28% revenue increase in Q4. Q4 saw a production volume of 221.3kt, reflecting the increased output from the optimised Pilgan Plant following completion of the P1000 expansion in Q3. Spodumene concentrate production was 221.3kt in Q4, a 77% increase compared to the prior quarter, due to higher plant availability and the capability provided by the P1000 expansion. Lithium recovery of 71.6% in Q4  was higher than the prior quarter, with the period unhindered by plant commissioning and weather impacts. The Q4 recovery was in line with expectations, factoring in a higher proportion of contact ore (a blend of ore and host rock from the ore contact…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) met FY25 production guidance across its iron ore and lithium operations amidst significant leadership transition. FY25 production volumes were 280mt, up 11mt year on year, and at the lower end of the guidance range (280 – 300mt). During the quarter, the MinRes board appointed Malcolm Bundey as an independent non-executive director. Mr Bundey assumed the position of chair on July 1, with an immediate focus on continued board renewal, strengthening governance, Onslow Iron and balance sheet repair. This follows the announcement in late 2024 that Chris Ellison would step down from his role as managing director. Mining services Q4 production volumes were a record 83mt, up 21mt quarter on quarter, driven by the ramp-up of Onslow…

The Northern Territory Government is advancing major projects by opening permitting access to high-quality extractive resources at Gunn Point. Following revision of the Reserved Land status of the NT Portion 4476 (RL34137) parcel of land, the large area has been made available for new development permits. This will allow local civil and construction industries to access the materials they need to deliver critical infrastructure across the greater Darwin area, reducing costs, securing supply chains and pushing economic growth. Northern territory Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley says the decision eliminates red tape and superfluous processes to deliver a practical outcome. “We’ve removed outdated restrictions that were holding back progress and opened the door to investment and jobs,” he said. “This…

International Graphite (ASX: IG6) is set to develop an expandable graphite facility (EGF) in Europe as an equal part joint venture with Arctic Graphite. The company has noted Germany as its preferred location for the EGF which has proposed production rates of 3,000t/y and a capital cost estimate of $8.8m. Graphite Investment Partners (GIP), a major shareholder of Arctic, has committed to arranging at least 50% of the EGF capital cost estimate in non-dilutive funding and has issued a non-binding letter of interest to arrange up to $10m in funding. Produced by treating flake graphite with intercalating agents, expandable graphite is used in construction materials as a flame retardant, insulation in electronics and in batteries and green steel electrodes. International…