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Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has convened two roundtable discussions with the country’s resources sector to discuss the Federal Government’s productivity agenda. A common theme across both roundtables was the need for government to invest in common user infrastructure and reforms to the approvals process, according to Minister King. Minister King says Australia’s resources sector has worked hard over decades to carve out a leading role as a globally significant producer of the minerals and metals that the world needs. “The resources sector has for decades invested in innovation and productivity enhancement, which has helped to cement Australia’s position as a global resources powerhouse,” she said. “The resources sector is among the most productive sectors of the national economy and…

FY25 was a mixed bag for BHP, as the company’s iron ore and copper arms posted record-breaking production while potash aspirations slowed. The miner has increased its estimated capital expenditure by at least $2b for the Jansen stage 1 potash project (JS1) in Canada, which had an original capex of $8.75b (US$5.7b). BHP attributes the increased price tag to inflationary and real cost escalation pressures, design development and scope changes and lower productivity outcomes over the construction period. After surpassing this half-way mark in July 2024, BHP expected to see first production in 2026, becoming a major global producer of potash by the end of the decade. Now 68% complete, BHP estimates capex for JS1 to be in the range…

Glencore’s George Fisher mine in Queensland continues to pioneer the use of underground automation with its growing automated Sandvik fleet. In 2024, Glencore commissioned three automated Toro TH663i trucks at the site following the successful integration of an automated loader fleet in 2020. The automated loaders and trucks now operate around the clock on separate levels of the mine, successfully improving safety and efficiency at the site. Glencore automation specialist Raukawa Danklof says productivity has also seen major benefits. “Our operations were already efficient but following the automation of the Sandvik trucks we have further enhanced productivity and operational efficiency,” he said. “I would say automation and the increased uptime that it provides are a big part of the reason…

CSIRO has launched the National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC) to support Australia’s move to net zero. The new research infrastructure will accelerate and de-risk the complex energy transition as an independent, collaborative research centre delivering data-driven insights. NEAC will combine real-world anonymised data from households and businesses with state-of-the-art energy systems modelling, analysis and visualisation tools. This will equip decision makers with a powerful toolkit to steer the nationwide energy transition with greater clarity and coordination. CSIRO energy director Dr Dietmar Tourbier says the new national infrastructure will help to accelerate and de-risk the energy transition. “Transforming the energy system will impact every sector of the economy and every part of society,” he said. “A transition of this scale and…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has appointed Simon Trott as the company’s chief executive effective from August 25 2025. The appointment follows the resignation of the company’s current chief executive Jakob Stausholm earlier this year. Currently Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive, Mr Trott has a track record of exceptional delivery over 25 years in various roles across a wide range of commodities and geographics. Through his current role with the company, Mr Trott has improved operational performance (underpinned by safety and financial discipline), reset partnerships with key stakeholders and secured the future growth of the business with new mine developments. In his previous role as chief commercial officer, Mr Trott established the company’s commercial operations, unlocking efficiency and deepening strategic…

The World Gold Council has released its Gold Mid-Year Outlook, as the metal continues its record-setting pace, rising 26% in US dollar terms in H1 CY25. A combination of a weaker US dollar, rangebound rates and a highly uncertain geoeconomic environment has driven this strong investment demand. The paper examines the base, bull and bear cases for gold in H2 CY25. The World Gold Council forecasts that under current consensus expectations for continued normalisation gold could remain rangebound in H2, closing roughly 0%–5% higher than current levels, still equivalent to a 25%–30% annual return Should economic and/or financial conditions deteriorate further, under the bull case, exacerbating stagflationary pressures and geoeconomic tensions, increased safe-haven demand could push gold 10%-15% higher. Under a bear case, widespread and sustained conflict resolution could see possible 12%-17% pullback…

PLS (ASX: PLS) has partnered with WA-based innovation company Switch to develop and trial a hybrid diesel-electric truck. Over the past year, both companies have worked together to develop a hybrid solution for PLS’ 150t class of haul trucks that meets operational requirements. The resulting custom hybrid haul truck blends the reliability of diesel with the efficiency of electric vehicles. The haul truck is designed to reduce emissions, improve fuel performance and build internal capability at PLS as it continues its broader energy transition. Full battery-electric haul trucks remain a long-term goal across the resources industry. With current infrastructure, technology and developing supply chains, hybrid vehicles offer a pathway towards meaningful progress today. The current trials are focused on a…

BHP (ASX: BHP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with battery electrification pioneers FinDreams Battery (FDB) and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). Recognising the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, BHP is working closely with both companies to explore the application of existing and emerging technologies. BHP and FDB will investigate powertrain battery solutions for heavy mining equipment with adjacent flash-charging infrastructure.  The companies will also explore BYD commercial vehicles and light vehicles for use across BHP’s operations. BHP and CATL will also explore battery development for mining equipment and charging infrastructure as well as energy storage solutions and battery recycling options for BHP’s sites. BHP Group procurement officer Rashpal Bhatti…

Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has successfully completed three planned shipments of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) in the June quarter from its WA-based Atlas mineral sands project. The shipments from the project, located 170km north of Perth, totalled 35kt and had a total booked revenue of around $22m. Atlas is now operating at nameplate capacity, a significant milestone for the project. Operations at the project commenced in early April this year with the June quarter marking the first quarter of production at Atlas. This follows rapid and successful project commissioning in February and March this year. Image Resources chief executive and managing director Patrick Mutz says HMC sales for the June quarter remained in line with forecast sales despite early operational…

Sandvik Mining and Glencore International AG have expanded an existing partnership to complement operational safety and efficiency and optimise performance across Glencore’s underground mixed fleet. Under the expanded partnership, Sandvik can deliver its fully OEM-agnostic Newtrax Collision Avoidance Safety technology and the Newtrax Mining Data Platform (MDP) to complement operational safety and efficiency and continue to optimise performance across Glencore’s underground mixed fleet. Implementation of these solutions on Sandvik and third-party equipment is currently underway at Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its Raglan nickel mine in Canada. The Newtrax product offers a scalable, OEM-agnostic safety and data solution designed to meet the evolving needs of modern underground mining operations. The system supports…

Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: ASM) has sold 2kg of terbium metal and 2 kg of dysprosium metal to Magnequench as the company establishes a resilient and dependable supply chain outside of China. These heavy rare earth metals were produced at ASM’s Korean Metals Plant, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing development of its heavy rare earth capabilities, and shipped to Neo Performance Materials’ permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Estonia. In addition to this inaugural heavy rare earth metals sale, ASM has also completed the sale of 10t of neodymium-praseodymium metal to Neo for use in their permanent magnet manufacturing facilities. This follows the successful delivery of 19t of neodymium-praseodymium metal previously supplied, further demonstrating the growing strength of…