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DigiTech’s exponential growth has seen the number of modules on offer — which focus on robotics, automation and coding — grow from one to eight, with each one aligned to the Australian curriculum.

Resources sector locks in commitment to DigiTech

An industry-developed STEM program in WA has received an $815,000 funding commitment from some of the state’s leading resources companies. BHP (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Woodside Energy, Chevron and CITIC Pacific Mining have collectively pledged the money to ensure the continued growth of the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) school-based Digital Technologies Program (DigiTech). First launched in 2020 at a handful of Pilbara schools, the DigiTech program now reaches more than 6000 students from pre-primary to Year 10 across 165 schools that span the length and breadth of WA. Many of those schools are among the most remote in WA, with DigiTech only expanding into metropolitan Perth in 2025. The renewed commitment will deliver classroom-ready digital technologies…

(Image source: Alcoa Australia) Fourth-year Alcoa apprentice mechanical fitter Heidi Blurton says the ongoing learning has been amazing.

Calling for new apprentices in WA

Alcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) is calling for applications from aspiring mechanical fitters, heavy diesel fitters, boilermaker/welders and electrical instrumentation technicians to commence apprenticeships in 2026. The four-year apprenticeship programs, commencing in January next year, are on offer across Alcoa’s Huntly and Willowdale bauxite mines and the Pinjarra and Wagerup alumina refineries in the Peel and upper South West regions of WA. With 23 roles on offer, the positions offer competitive remuneration and benefits, and successful applicants who complete their apprenticeships will be awarded nationally recognised trade certificates. A big benefit is that apprentices are able to live at home and travel to and from site for each shift. With Alcoa’s strong commitment to local employment and support for the communities…

Fortescue recognised as a global leader in ‘Real Zero’

Fortescue recognised as a global leader in ‘Real Zero’

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has been named a global leader in its commitment to Real Zero in a newly released report by Climate Integrity and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney. The report recognises Fortescue, alongside IKEA and Lendlease, for pioneering industry-leading climate strategies that phase out fossil fuels without reliance on carbon offsets. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto comments on the recognition. “This recognition is a testament to the work we’re doing to prove that heavy industry can cut fossil fuels — not someday, but right now,” he said. “Fortescue, Lendlease and IKEA are showing that business can turn the tap off on fossil fuels as fast — or even faster — than the…

(Image source: Metso) Metso has a significant service center footprint in Australia, including Karratha in WA, which is Metso’s largest service center globally.

Metso and BHP ink iron ore contract

Metso has signed a three-year agreement for the supply of metallic liners for chute solutions to BHP (ASX: BHP) to support WA Iron Ore (WAIO) operations. Under the contract, Metso will supply WAIO with a suite of liner solutions, including the company’s industry-leading XAlloy™ metallic as well as cast wear liners, amongst others. Metso’s lining solutions are renowned for their ability to minimise downtime and thereby maximise throughput and productivity. Metso chute and conveyor solutions director Tobias Krull comments on the agreement. “We are strongly focused on delivering better overall efficiency and productivity for our customer operations,” he said. “With our extensive offering in chute liner designs, backed by decades of experience and innovation, we can deliver greater uptime,…

Rio commits $5m to Aboriginal health care

Rio commits $5m to Aboriginal health care

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has partnered with Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) to provide vital community-led health services for First Nations people across the Pilbara in WA. The funding will be provided to PAHA to advance its objective of improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, families and communities across the region. The first project supported by the partnership is the new dialysis unit at Tom Price, with funds helping to provide transport, accommodation and wrap around support for patients. Construction of the Tom price Dialysis Unit has been funded by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care and is expected to open in the second half of 2026. PAHA chief executive Ashley Councillor says the partnership…

Australia’s green metals future

Australia’s green metals future

CSIRO is leading an initiative to advance Australian green metals production by strengthening industry-research collaboration. The Green Metals Innovation Network (GMIN) is a $10m initiative funded by the Federal Government and will be supported by a partnership between CSIRO and the Heavy Industry Low-carbon transition Copper Research Centre (HILT CRC). GMIN will bring together research, government and industry to accelerate the development of domestic green metals industry for Australia’s iron, steel, alumina and aluminium sectors. The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda that seeks to leverage the country’s renewable energy and mineral resources to position the nation as a global leader in the supply of value-added materials for the net-zero economy. Current annual exports…

$2.4b boost for Hope Downs 2

$2.4b boost for Hope Downs 2

Hancock Prospecting and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will invest $1.2b each to develop the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in the Pilbara region of WA.

The Copper Advantage: Powering the Future

The Copper Advantage: Powering the Future

As the world transitions to cleaner energy systems and greener economies, few materials are more essential than copper. Its unmatched conductivity, durability and recyclability make it a foundational resource for everything from EVs and wind turbines to data centres and digital infrastructure. But while global demand for copper continues to climb, accessing and processing the metal efficiently, sustainably and at scale is becoming more complex. Ageing deposits, environmental expectations and the urgency of decarbonisation all place pressure on the industry to innovate — and fast. That’s where Copper to the World 2025 steps in. Returning to Adelaide from 26–27 August, this year’s event, hosted by Austmine on behalf of the South Australian Government, will explore how the copper industry is…

Securing Mount Isa’s future

Securing Mount Isa’s future

The Queensland Government held a meeting last week to discuss options for a viable pathway forward for the Mount Isa smelter. Glencore has previously declared its Mount Isa copper smelter as unviable and is undergoing talks with the Federal and Queensland Government to discuss the future of operations and protect the future of the region. The potential closure of the smelter has incited concerns surrounding the downstream effects on Australia’s copper value chain and the economies of the regional communities that rely on its mining and processing operations. Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says the Queensland Government is engaging to deliver a solution that meets the expectations of all stakeholders. “Today’s discussions were frank and focussed, with…

Bravus celebrates award nomination

Bravus celebrates award nomination

Bravus Mining and Resources has been recognised by the Queensland Resource Council’s 2025 Indigenous Awards for its partnership with Biodiversity Australia. The partnership began in 2018 through the Carmichael Rail Network with Biodiversity Australia providing environmental consultancy and on-ground services in ecology, vegetation management and fauna management. With the support of Bravus, the First Nations owned business was able to establish a permanent office in Townsville in north Queensland, that delivers services across mining and heavy industry, defence, tourism and education sectors. Bravus chief operating officer Mick Crow says Biodiversity Australia being named as a finalist in the awards speaks to the quality of the environmental work the company has delivered for the Carmichael mine and its supporting infrastructure in…

(Image source: Alcoa Australia) Second-year honours student Jorja Hinson-Tolchard is undertaking a degree in mechanical engineering.

Alcoa scholarships support women in STEM

Two engineering students from Curtin University have received a significant boost to help with their studies, thanks to the Alcoa (ASX: AAI) Bev Corless Women in Engineering Scholarship program. The scholarships have been announced in recognition of International Women in Engineering Day on June 23, 2025. Ayesha Wasim and Jorja Hinson-Tolchard will each receive $20,000 in funding to assist with their engineering studies over the next two years, while also gaining the opportunity to complete work experience at Alcoa’s bauxite mines and alumina refineries south of Perth, WA. Ms Wasim says from an early age, she has been fascinated by the ways in which technology can solve real-world problems. “This curiosity has evolved into a deep interest in control systems…