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US Government secures stake in South32-backed critical minerals JV The US Department of War (DOW) will take an equity stake in Trilogy Metals to advance exploration and development in the Ambler mining district in Alaska. Under the terms, South32 has agreed to sell more than 8.2 million shares in Trilogy Metals to the DOW for about $26.9m (US$17.8m). South32 will reinvest the estimated $26.9m into Ambler metals to support exploration and development. South32 chief executive Graham Kerr comments on the decision. “We see great value in the US Government’s intention to develop the Ambler mining district,” he said. “It is our aim to unlock the...

Lynas to supply rare earth magnets to US Noveon Magnetics and Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a scalable and domestic US supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets. Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate to develop a rare earth value chain in the US from the supply of separated rare earth oxides to the manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets to serve key US defence and commercial customers. The scope of the...

Metso accelerates flotation innovation Metso has opened a new separation laboratory and pilot area at its research centre in Pori, Finland, bringing expanded research and development services for its customers.  The latest development at the research centre is the new coarse particle flotation (CPF) cell, which introduces a novel deep-froth pneumatic design that eliminates the need for fluidised beds, set for launch in 2026 following industrial-scale testing.  Metso Plus flotation technologies, such as the Concorde Cell and FloatForce+, were validated at Pori before their launch and both are now referenced globally across a range of commodities....

Peabody and Anglo American enter arbitration Anglo American has launched arbitration proceedings against Peabody Energy over the failed $5.7b sale of its Queensland steelmaking coal mines. Peabody pulled out of the sale by invoking a material adverse change (MAC) in August following a fire at Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine. Anglo American believed the event did not constitute a MAC under the definitive agreements due to the lack of damage to the mine or equipment and the clear progress being made within a rigorous and structured regulatory process towards restarting the mine. The buyer says it remains confident that a MAC occurred,...

Federal Government to bail out Mount Isa The Federal and Queensland Governments will provide a $600m support package to maintain operations at the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery. The agreement will allow the smelter — which provides half of Australia’s copper smelting capacity — and the refinery to continue operations until the end of 2028. Australia has only two operational copper smelters — Mount Isa and BHP’s at Olympic Dam — but they face huge competition from China. China has invested heavily in copper smelting and now has 44 smelters, with the surge in Chinese production creating an unprecedented decline...

BHP’s Jimblebar expansion closes in on environmental approval  The WA Environmental Protection Agency (WA EPA) has given its endorsement and recommendations for BHP’s (ASX: BHP) proposed Jimblebar Hub expansion.  The Jimblebar Hub combined proposal covers plans to develop mining deposits both above and below the water table surrounding the Pilbara mine.   To facilitate this, BHP plans to build new overburden storage areas, a new beneficiation plant, an overland conveyor, roads and pipelines.  EPA chair Darren Walsh says the independent authority’s report included recommended conditions to mitigate impacts to conservation-significant flora and fauna and to ensure the protection...

Bellevue’s record-breaking quarter Bellevue Gold (ASX: BGL) has delivered strong Q1 FY26 results, surpassing gold production and development expectations across its gold project in WA.  The company achieved a record production volume of 296kt processed at 3.2 g/t gold, following 259kt of ore mined at 3.2 g/t gold, with grades expected to rise throughout FY26 as the mining sequence progressively moves to higher-grade stoping areas in the Deacon, Viago and Deacon North mining areas.   Development rates for the quarter averaged 322m per jumbo operator per month, well ahead of the FY26 guidance of 270m per month.  Following the successful completion of planned plant upgrades during the...

MinRes appoints new executive Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has appointed Sarah Standish as joint company secretary effective immediately. Ms Standish has 20 years of experience in leading legal, governance, risk and compliance functions at ASX-listed and international companies involved in the mining and energy sectors. Additionally, she previously served as general counsel and company secretary at St Barbara (ASX: SBM), general counsel at Imdex (ASX: IMD) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Derek Oelofse and Ms...

Australia’s rapid uptake of solar panels is creating a looming waste problem University of South Australia researchers have identified ways to overcome barriers to safely and profitably increase the life of solar panels and decrease the overall footprint of solar energy. Australia leads the world in per-capita rooftop solar installations, the systems of which typically have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years but in practice are removed or replaced much sooner. Australia’s quick uptake of solar panels is creating an emerging waste problem with most solar photovoltaic (PV) panels being directed to landfill...

Rio Tinto to develop $1.1b Pilbara mine Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Mitsui and Nippon Steel will invest $1.1b (US$733m) to develop new iron ore deposits in the West Angelas hub in WA. The deposits will maintain the hub’s total annual production capacity of 35mt under the West Angelas sustaining project — which has received all necessary State and Federal Government approvals. About 600 jobs will be created during construction. Once operational, the project will help maintain a workforce of about 950 full time equivalent roles at the West Angelas hub. Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Matthew Holcz comments...

Karlawinda delivers record gold production Capricorn Metals (ASX: CMM) has announced its Karlawinda gold project, in the Pilbara region of WA, is on track for it FY26 guidance in a preliminary update on Q1 FY26 production.  The project delivered another strong quarter of operations, producing 32, 318oz of gold, on track to achieve 115,000-125,000oz at an all in sustaining cost (AISC) of $1,530-$1,630 per oz, in line with expectations outline in the FY26 mine plan.  Gold production for the quarter reflected the ongoing mining productivity improvement that drove the consistent quarterly increases in output throughout FY25.   The mining fleet achieved...