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Coal’s opportunity to power energy transition

Coal’s opportunity to power energy transition

Abandoned coal mines could host more than 52GW of solar in Queensland and more than 14GW in NSW according to a Global Energy Monitor (GEM) study. The study assessed decommissioned and soon to be closed surface coal mines across the globe and their potential to be given a second life as a solar farm, identifying the global capacity to host more than 300GW of solar. Four major coal producers were identified as having the greatest opportunity for coal to solar transitions, including Indonesia, the US and India with Australia at the forefront. Australia has 35 sites covering 1474km2 that have either been closed since 2020 or are expected to close by 2030, potentially supporting 74GW of solar production. These figures…

Yancoal funds hospital equipment upgrade

Yancoal funds hospital equipment upgrade

Yancoal Australia (ASX: YAL) has donated $37,000 to Singleton District Hospital in NSW to provide patients with new fall prevention hospital beds. The joint donation, from Yancoal’s Mount Thorley Warkworth and Ashton Coal mines located in the Hunter Valley region, enabled the purchase of three new beds for general ward use at the hospital. The new beds offer flexibility for a wide range of patient circumstances, are ergonomic for the healthcare providers, offer increased safety and enable patients to rest in comfort while rehabilitating. Yancoal Mount Thorley Warkworth general manager Cris Shadbolt says the team is proud to help improve equipment at the hospital. “Hospitals play a vital role in our community,” he said. “It is imperative they have high-quality…

New Acland’s multi-million-dollar machine

New Acland’s multi-million-dollar machine

New Hope Group (ASX: NHG) has commissioned a new $6.6m Caterpillar 993 loader at its New Acland Coal mine in southeast Queensland. The 135t loader’s durable design makes it perfectly equipped to handle the rugged terrain and harsh conditions faced on site. New Acland Coal general manager Dave O’Dwyer says Hastings Deering Toowoomba sourced and built the earthmoving machine. “The Caterpillar 993 loader weighs more than 135t is 16.5m long and has a bucket capacity of 17.5m2, which is equivalent to the size of a car,” he said. The arrival of the loader coincides with another milestone for the company, the 300th full-time employee starting work at the site. Unlike majority of mining operations across Australia, the site does not…

According to the Federal Government, the expansion could add an estimated $909m to the Pilbara’s gross regional product.

Federal Government backs Butcherbird

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will invest up to $50m for Element 25’s (ASX: E25) Butcherbird manganese project in the Pilbara region of WA. This will support Element 25’s plans to expand Butcherbird’s production capacity to 1.1mtpa of manganese oxide concentrate. Butcherbird’s expansion will enable it to supply manganese concentrate feedstock for Element 25’s planned battery grade, high purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) processing facility which it plans to build in Louisiana, US, as well as securing concentrate sales to other customers. NAIF’s support for the expansion follows Element 25’s awarding of a Grant Agreement for $268m (US$166m) from the US Department of Energy (DoE) under the Battery Materials Processing Grant Program to support construction of its planned HPMSM…

(Image source: Alcoa Australia) Presenters and panellists at the 2025 Alcoa Environmental Research Symposium.

Alcoa spotlights environmental research

Alcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) hosted more than 120 delegates from 33 organisations across the country at its Environmental Research Symposium last week. Attendees heard about 19 innovative research projects presented by Alcoa, collaborative partners and others from across industry, government and academia. Hosted by Alcoa’s Forest Research Centre and supported by Murdoch’s Harry Butler Institute, the event included insights across fauna, flora, rehabilitation practices, water, and the importance of embracing Traditional Owner knowledge and practices to develop a legitimate two-way science approach to forest management. In addition to insights into fauna behaviour, attendees witnessed presentations covering the secrets of seed dormancy in multiple species of native flowering plants, pathways of surface water flow in rehabilitation, and how decades of research…

A proposed Space Resources Fund could deliver far greater long-term returns than royalties from asteroid mining, says UNSW-led research.

Looking to the stars for new resources

Most investors build their portfolios through traditional, but a new investment horizon has emerged that extends beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The space economy represents a potential opportunity for forward-thinking investors willing to explore unconventional markets, but questions remain about how best to participate in this sector. The space industry continues its rapid expansion, with estimates suggesting it could grow from about $765b (US$500b) in 2022, to a multi-trillion dollar industry by 2040. While current growth focuses on communications, Earth observation and navigation, experts forecast significant expansion into cislunar (between the Earth and the moon) space. Tinka Resources chairman and UNSW engineering PhD student Ben McKeown, who has led a number of co-authored research papers on the topic, comments on the outlook.…

Roadmap launched for WA maritime decarbonisation

Roadmap launched for WA maritime decarbonisation

Pilbara Ports has released its Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub strategic roadmap in a move to decarbonise international shipping. The hub would enable the use of alternative marine fuels, such as ammonia and support the resource and maritime sectors energy transition in line with the WA Government’s 2050 emissions targets. The region is uniquely positioned to become a global clean fuel hub due to its high shipping volumes, proximity to emerging ammonia producers and short transit distances to major Asian markets. During FY24, Pilbara Ports facilitated more than 7,700 vessel visits, primarily on the Pilbara-China iron ore route. WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says innovative thinking has positioned the Pilbara’s mining industry as global leaders. “Now the region can…

NeoSmelt bolstered by $19.8m

NeoSmelt bolstered by $19.8m

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed funding to support NeoSmelt joint venture’s planned pilot plant in Kwinana, WA. The funding will progress a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the project which aims to prove Pilbara iron ore can be used to produce lower-carbon iron using a direct reduced iron-electric smelting furnace (DRI-ESF) pathway. If successful, this technology has the potential to unlock longer term alternatives to the traditional blast furnace steelmaking route and help ensure the longevity of Australia’s iron ore industry. All five joint venture participants, BlueScope, BHP (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Woodside Energy and Mitsui Iron Development, hold equal equity stakes in the joint venture. BlueScope Australia chief executive Tania Archibald says the funding marks…

Sandvik wins major order in Mexico

Sandvik wins major order in Mexico

La Cantera Desarrollos Mineros, one of the country’s leading underground contractors, is commissioning 64 pieces of underground mining equipment from Sandvik Mining. The order includes 23 Toro® LH410 loaders, 19 Sandvik DD311 single-boom development jumbos, 16 Sandvik DS311 rock bolters, three Toro® LH307 loaders, two Toro® LH514 loaders and one Sandvik DD321 twin-boom development jumbo. As well as equipment supply, the order also includes technical support and training provided by Sandvik technicians. Sandvik Mining president Mats Eriksson says the longstanding partnership shares both company’s dedication to technological advancement. “This new equipment order underscores our mutual commitment to safety, reliability and innovation,” he said. La Cantera Desarrollos Mineros specialises in mining development, offering complete mine operation, infrastructure design, analysis, exploration and…

Caterpillar takes home gold

Caterpillar takes home gold

Caterpillar has received a Gold Award at the Eventex Awards for its 5,200m2 MINExpo 2024 booth design that transported delegates to a real-world mine site. Inspired by Caterpillar’s Tinaja Hills demonstration and learning centre in Arizona, US, the exhibit gave attendees of the world’s largest mining trade show an immersive on-site experience. Among 1,239 entries from 59 countries, Caterpillar’s booth — designed, developed and executed in collaboration with creative agencies Spiro and Converse Marketing — stood apart with its compelling visual storytelling and immersive experience. All components of the booth were carefully constructed to bring the brand’s innovation, technology and heritage to life. Caterpillar resource industries aftermarket services and marketing vice president Veronica Newhouse says the company is proud of…

Ecocene

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Ecocene’s Ecological Intelligence Platform Uses AI to Transform Mine Site Rehabilitation

Ecocene’s Ecoda Platform Combines AI-Powered Analytics, Remote Sensing and Expert Validation to Deliver Stronger and More Sustainable Environmental Outcomes Ecocene, a leading Australian nature tech company, is transforming how mining and energy companies handle environmental data. By harnessing artificial intelligence, Ecocene empowers industry leaders to gather, interpret and apply complex ecological information – driving stronger environmental outcomes and improved project performance. Ecocene partners with some of the world’s largest mining and energy companies, including BHP, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Santos, Woodside and Chevron, who all recognise the importance of accurate, actionable environmental data. “We have continuously improved our Ecoda technology platform over the past decade to collate and interpret data, and we are delighted to share our increasingly sophisticated capabilities,”…