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ZESTY gets $44.9m boost Calix has secured funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to advance its zero emissions steel technology (ZESTY) green iron demonstration plant. The demonstration plant will have a targeted capacity to produce 30,000tpa of hydrogen direct reduced iron (H2-DRI) or hot briquetted iron (HBI). ZESTY uses a combination of electric heating and hydrogen reduction, aiming to provide lowest cost pathways to green iron and steel by: Enabling flexible operations compatible with variable renewable energy sources Enabling theoretical minimum hydrogen use of 54kg/t of iron...

WA’s energy future boosted by metals hub Murdoch University has launched a new extractive metallurgy hub in Rockingham as part of WA’s transition to sustainable metals production. The new facility is a flagship for research, education and industry collaboration, focusing on the extraction, processing and recycling of critical minerals essential to battery technologies and green steel production. WA is already a world-leading producer of lithium, responsible for more than half of global production, according to Murdoch University, and holds globally significant stores of vanadium — two metals essential to battery production. The university’s...

Newmont on track with Q2 results  Newmont is on track to meet 2025 guidance after producing about 1.5moz of gold and generating an all-time record quarterly free cash flow of $2.5b (US$1.7b).  Attributable gold production decreased 4% to 1478koz from the prior quarter as expected, driven by the closing of non-core asset sales.  Newmont says this was partially offset by increased production at Yanacocha, in Peru, from improved injection leaching; Peñasquito, in Mexico, from higher gold grades; Nevada Gold Mines, in the US, and Boddington, in WA, from higher tonnes processed following planned maintenance.  Newmont saw an increase of $571/oz (US$376) in average realized gold price to $5044/oz (US$3,320) per...

Northern Star ready for FY26 Northern Star had a strong finish to FY25, with the miner safely delivering its revised guidance, which included new milestones of 1.63moz gold sold and net mine cash flow of $1,189m.   As the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operation enters its final build year, Northern Star expects FY26 gold sold to be in the range of 1,700-1,850koz.   KCGM is forecast to deliver 550-600koz, with underground mined volumes at 3mtpa, while open pit mining productivity is forecast to increase throughout the year as mining in Golden Pike North returns to one mining horizon by H2 FY26. ...

FMG banks record shipments, backs down on green hydrogen Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has documented record annual iron ore shipments for FY25, totalling 198.4mt, 55.2mt of which was shipped during the June quarter. The company also mined 64.2mt and processed 54.4mt, a respective 16% and 14% increase from the previous quarter. Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto says the company’s performance for the year has been exceptional and is credited to the relentless focus of its teams on safety, efficiency and operational excellence. “We met all aspects of our market guidance and cemented our position as the industry’s lowest cost producer, with our annual...

New funding backs Whyalla workers The Federal and South Australia Governments have allocated a further $275m in funding to continue operation of the Whyalla Steelworks as it transitions to new ownership. The funding will facilitate continued safe operations, pay wages and suppliers and undertake critical works to strengthen the steelworks positions as a viable long-term asset for a new owner. Whyalla Steelworks is one of the state’s most strategically important employers and a key part of Australia’s manufacturing capability. The additional funding follows the formal...

Onslow Iron leading hybrid energy A combination of gas and renewables is powering clean energy solutions at Mineral Resources (ASX: MIR) Onslow Iron project, in the west Pilbara region of WA. MinRes’ Ken’s Bore mine site, located 200km southwest of Onslow, is fully powered by a hybrid gas and solar system that supplies energy to key site infrastructure and facilities including crushers, loaders, reclaimers and the company’s Mungala Resort. At the centre of the project is the Ken’s Bore power station, boasting an installed capacity...

Pilbara Ports breaks records Pilbara Ports has achieved record throughput for the sixth consecutive year with 775.7mt of exports and imports moving through its ports in FY25. This throughput equates to around $153b worth of commodities across the ports of Ashburton, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island, highlighting the essential role Pilbara Ports plays in the global supply chain and the Australian economy. The Port of Port Hedland contributed 577.7mt to the total, a 1% increase to last financial years performance, securing its position as one of the most important ports in the country....

Rio to advance Chilean lithium Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has signed a binding agreement with Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI) to form a joint venture lithium project in the Atacama region of Chile. The company was selected as the Salares Altoandinos project’s preferred partner after a competitive negotiation phase with BYD Chile SpA, Eramet Chile SA and POSCO Australia. With the agreement, Rio Tinto has agreed to acquire a controlling 51% stake in the project and will provide up to $425m, in both cash and non-cash contributions, to advance the project. The...

Australia reinforces ties with China In July, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travelled to Beijing for a weeklong diplomatic trip to attend discussions with China president Xi Jinping. The visit was an opportunity to continue advancing Australia’s security and economic interests. Management of this relationship is crucial for Australia’s future prosperity and for the security of the nation and the region. The centrepiece of the visit were meetings with China’s most senior leaders in Beijing. Prime Minister Albanese held his fourth meeting with President Xi Jinping, met Premier Li Qiang for their third annual...

Liontown celebrates NAIDOC week   From July 6-13, Liontown (ASX: LTR) celebrated NAIDOC week at its Kathleen Valley site in WA with cultural awareness training, knowledge sharing and activities. Liontown has built strong relationships with the Tjiwarl community as the company’s Kathleen Valley operations are situated on Tjiwarl land in a culturally and environmentally significant region. At the company’s office in Perth, Senior Tjiwarl Traditional Owner Kado Muir spoke about the cultural significance of Country and the importance of knowledge sharing for future generations. Liontown...