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AREEA calls for regulatory red-tape cutting A new forecast has warned of future growth risks in Australia’s mining and energy workforce, underpinned by weakening project pipelines and global competition for investment. Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030, released today by the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA), shows 96 major projects are expected to commence production between late 2025 and 2030 — valued at $129.5b. These projects are forecast to create demand for 22,279 new operating phase jobs, lifting the national resources and energy workforce by just 7.1% by 2030 — the...

Wyloo and Hastings finalise rare earths JV Wyloo Gascoyne and Hasting Technology Metals will begin work on the Yangibana rare earths and niobium project in WA under their unincorporated joint venture (UJV). Andrew Forrest's private mining vehicle, Wyloo, now holds a 60% participating interest and has been appointed manager and operator of the UJV with Hastings retaining a 40% participating interest. The UJV covers all assets associated with the project, including Stage 1 being the Yangibana mine and beneficiation plant and Stage 2 being the hydrometallurgical plant. The formation of the UJV formalises the partnership between Hastings and...

MinRes acquires struggling miner linked to Chris Ellison’s brother Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has executed a binding asset and share sale agreement with the administrators of Resource Development Group (RDG). Under the agreement, MinRes will acquire RDG assets, including the Lucky Bay garnet mine, following creditor approval of MinRes’ proposed deed of company arrangement (DOCA) on September 1. MinRes has reassured investors that managing director Chris Ellison was not involved in deliberations to acquire the group formerly headed by his brother, Andrew Ellison. MinRes chair Malcolm Bundey comments on the decision. “The board and I sought to ensure that MinRes shareholders could realise some value from their...

Fleet Space’s off-world exploration target Fleet Space Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ExLabs to deploy its off-world exploration technologies to survey the asteroid Apophis. The technologies will be used as part of ExLabs’ ApophisExL mission, planned for launch in 2028, representing a step toward advancing the science of off-world exploration and planetary defence while building essential capabilities for the development of a sustainable space resources economy. Apophis, a near-Earth asteroid with an...

Sandvik fleet to drive efficiency in Zimbabwe Sandvik has been contracted by Zimplats, Zimbabwe’s largest platinum group metals producer, to supply 28 pieces of underground equipment for its Ngezi mines. The order, to be booked in the Q3 CY25, includes 12 Toro LH209L loaders, six Sandvik DD211L development jumbos, five Sandvik DS211L-V bolters, three Toro TH545i trucks and two Sandvik TH430L trucks with deliveries scheduled between the Q3 CY25 and Q2 CY26. The agreement also covers parts and services kits to support long-term equipment performance. Located in the Hartley Geological Complex on...

BHP Xplor applications open BHP (ASX: BHP) has officially opened applications for the 2026 cohort for its accelerator program aimed at transforming the discovery of critical minerals — BHP Xplor. Launched in 2024, the program is designed to accelerate participants' exploration opportunities while fostering long-term connections with BHP. Ambitious teams and individuals dedicated to uncovering new sources of critical minerals essential for a sustainable future are invited to apply for the 2026 intake. Participants benefit from up to $750,000 in equity-free funding, expert mentorship and...

First pour at Ahafo North Newmont (ASX: NEM) has achieved first gold pour at its Ahafo North project in Ghana, marking a critical milestone towards commercial production. The successful pour confirms both the project’s sound technical design and the disciplined project execution method, positioning Ahafo North as a key asset in the company’s long-term growth strategy, according to Newmont. This achievement follows the completion of key development phases, including ore stockpiling that began in late 2024 and the commissioning of critical infrastructure, such as processing circuits, mining support facilities and...

FMG launches zero-emissions roadmap Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has launched the third iteration of its climate transition plan at the Global Renewables Summit in New York as part of Climate Week NYC. The event was organised by Climate Group and Fortescue, with support from the Global Renewables Alliance, and was attended by heads of state, government leaders, business executives and financiers discussing ways to accelerate the deployment of zero-emissions technologies and unlock the full potential of the renewable energy transition. Fortescue’s updated plane...

Australia’s largest battery park approved Pacific Green, a global battery energy storage company, has secured a planning permit for the development of a grid-scale battery energy park in Portland, Victoria. Once constructed, it will become Australia’s largest battery energy park — providing up to 1GW of firming capacity — and will significantly boost energy storage capacity, securing the state’s energy stability and transition to net-zero emissions. Strategically positioned within an industrial zone, the energy park is near the Portland aluminium smelter and the Portland water treatment plant, enabling the asset to provide energy security to strategic...

Modernising Australia’s largest tin mine Bluestone Mines Tasmanian Joint Venture (BMTJV) has selected ABB to deliver a significant modernisation of the main production hoist at the Renison tin mine. The ABB upgrade will replace a legacy hoist system that was installed at the Tasmanian west coast mine in the 1990s. With the mine currently operating at greater depths, hoist modernisation has become essential to maintaining reliability, maximising productivity and extending the life expectancy of critical machinery. The design of...

Vault Minerals’ three year production growth Vault Minerals (ASX: VAU) has released its three year outlook, targeting FY26 production of 332,000-360,000oz at $2650 to $2850/oz. Higher consolidated gold production is forecast for FY27 and FY28, mainly due to increased plant capacity at the Leonora operations and the production continuation at Sugar Zone in FY28. For Vault Minerals’ Leonora mine, gold production for FY26 is expected to be consistent with FY25, producing 185,000-200,000oz. Over the outlook period, mill throughput is predicted to increase from 5.3mtpa in FY25 to 7.5mtpa in FY28 following completion of the Stage...