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Sandvik Mining has been contracted to supply 17 loaders and two trucks to Rio Tinto’s (ASX: Rio) Oyu Tolgoi copper-mine in the South Gobi Desert. The underground equipment supply includes eight Toro LH410 loaders, seven Toro LH515i loaders, two Toro LH517i loaders and two Toro TH551i trucks. Deliveries are expected to begin in October 2025 and continue through to late next year. Underground operations at the site, jointly owned by Rio (66%) and the Mongolia Government (34%), began in early 2023 and have continued to ramp up. Open pit mining began at Oyu Tolgoi in 2011 and the copper concentrator, the largest industrial complex ever built in Mongolia, began processing mined ore into copper concentrate in 2013. The project is…

NRW Civil & Mining, a subsidiary of NRW Holdings (ASX: NWH), has been awarded a contract for works at Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Brockman Syncline 1 mine in the Pilbara region of WA. Under the contract NRW will be responsible for the construction of earthworks, roadworks and drainage associated with the primary crusher, overland conveyor and non-process infrastructure at the site located within the Brockman mine hub. NRW will also be responsible for the construction of haul roads, access roads and concrete structures. The scope of the works includes drill and blast as well as supply and construction of the mechanically stabilised earth run-of-mine wall, two precast concrete overpass tunnels and in-situ concrete foundations for the primary crusher. The project…

First gold was poured on schedule at the Murchison gold project, as ramp-up in gold production continues to progress smoothly with commissioning complete. Meeka Metals (ASX: MEK) managing director Tim Davidson comments on the achievement. “It is an impressive achievement by the team to deliver first gold on time and within 12 months of breaking ground at the Murchison,” he said. “We are now focused on ramping up gold production toward our targeted 80kozpa with the arrival of the third dig fleet and expanded open pit mining plan underway and first ore from underground at Andy Well in the September 2025 quarter.” Ore stocks continue to build in front of the processing plant as open pit mining ramps up following…

BHP has signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers. The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a marine fuel. The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from WA to Northeast Asia. When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these vessels will be capable of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% and up to 95% on a per voyage basis compared to a conventionally fuelled voyage. The five-year time charter contracts are expected to contribute towards a reduction in…

The WA Government has announced the cohort for the Minerals Institute of WA (MRIWA) 2025 PhD scholarships and student placement schemes. The schemes strengthen the resources sector by driving innovation in sustainable mineral production and fostering research and industry advancement, reinforcing WA’s position as a global industry leader. The scholarships have been awarded to three students that are tackling critical challenges faced by the minerals industry. Kenneth Akiti has been awarded the prestigious Odwyn Jones PhD Scholarship for his research into responsible management of retired mining vehicle batteries, addressing environmental and economic challenges. Yasamin Hamidian received the MRIWA PhD Scholarship for Women for her innovative work on developing a gas-assisted ion-selective membrane for lithium-ion extraction from tailings. Farid Ullah was…

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has pledged $600,000 over three years to support program development at Hedland Senior High School, located in Port Hedland, WA. The funding will enable Hedland Senior High School to deliver a suite of education and engagement programs aimed at empowering local youth to strengthen regional capability and deepen First Nations engagement. A wide range of initiatives will benefit from the funding, including science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programs for students, improvements to the school’s technology hub and culturally respectful initiatives that celebrate Indigenous identity and connection to Country. Fortescue approvals, community and environment director Warren Fish says the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent and building strong communities. “We’re proud to work…

The Federal Industry, Science and Resources Department has reported growing resources and energy export volumes in the most recent Australian Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ). Gold is set to become Australia’s third largest resources export earner, as the commodity fetches record prices, behind iron ore and liquid natural gas next year, with earnings forecast to reach $56b, according to the REQ. Exploration expenditure for iron ore — Australia’s largest export earner — continues to rise. Amid continued fallout over global trade tensions and conflicts — the REQ reported — Australia will see export numbers retreat from historical highs as commodity prices are influenced. Published by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the REQ forecasts export earning to decline from…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIR) announced yesterday that it has completed the sale of its Yilgarn Hub iron ore assets, located in WA, to Yilgarn Iron Investments (YII). Under the sale terms, YII has acquired all tenements and other land interest across the hub, associated approvals and licenses, entitlements and fixed assets including Koolyanobbing, Windarling, Carina and Parker Range. YII has also assumed all current environmental, closure and rehabilitation liabilities across the Yilgarn Hub. Following a feasibility study on the region’s future released June last year, MinRes announced exports would cease from the end of 2024. More than 780 employees were redeployed to other MinRes projects as operations at Yilgarn were ramped down. As part of the company’s agreement with the…

Applications are now open for the Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund – Grants Program to help regional communities in WA and Victoria improve preparedness for bushfire and address the challenges of a changing climate. Part of the $1.3m Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund, these annual competitive grants offer between $5000 and $20,000 to not-for-profit community and grassroots organisations supporting the communities where Alcoa (ASX: AAI) operates including Kwinana, Peel and the Upper South West in WA and the Shire of Glenelg in Victoria. Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller says the grants aim to assist communities, fire managers and other interest groups to find opportunities and remedy gaps they might have in their ability to prepare for and respond to bushfire events. “We…

In the demanding world of mining, equipment faces relentless challenges: abrasive materials, corrosive environments, and constant mechanical stress. Ensuring the longevity and reliability of mining machinery is paramount. Enter Rhino Linings, a trusted name in protective coatings that offers unparalleled defence for mining plant and equipment. Unmatched Protection Against Harsh Conditions Mining operations expose equipment to extreme wear and tear. Rhino Linings’ spray-applied polyurethane and polyurea coatings form a seamless, durable barrier that resists abrasion, impact, and corrosion. These coatings adhere to various substrates, including steel, concrete, and fiberglass, ensuring comprehensive protection across diverse equipment types. Versatile Applications Across Mining Equipment Rhino Linings’ protective solutions are not limited to a single application. They have been effectively utilised on: Haul Trucks…

Brightstar (ASX: BTR) has delivered a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Menzies and Laverton gold projects in WA, outlining up to $461m in pre-tax cash flow. The initial production target spans 6.4mt at 1.81g/t of gold for 338,528oz over a five-year mine life, underpinned by the declaration of 4mt at 1.63g/t of gold for 210,500oz of open pit ore reserves. Main activities considered in the DFS include open pit mining operations at the Lady Shenton deposit in Menzies and the Lord Byron and Corkwell Tree deposits at Laverton. Also included is the upgrade of the company’s Laverton Gold Plant to a nameplate throughput of 1mtpa capacity. Outlined in the DFS is a defined, low-risk route to production that generates…