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WA opens new exploration funding round The WA Government has opened applications for Round 32 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), which continues to support innovative exploration across the state. By co-funding exploration drilling, geophysics and energy analysis, the EIS aims to help companies take on high-risk, high-reward projects in underexplored and remote regions. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the WA Government is driving mineral exploration across WA to secure the state’s future as a global leader in mining — particularly in the critical minerals essential to the clean energy transition. "By working closely with industry and regional communities, we're accelerating...

Alkane and Mandalay merge Alkane Resources (ASX: ALK) and Canada’s Mandalay Resources have finalised their merger, creating a dual-listed gold and antimony producer with operations in Australia and Sweden. The company’s three cash-generating assets are located in premier mining jurisdictions and are each supported by robust organic growth opportunities, according to Alkane. The combined company is an established 160,000oz gold equivalent producer, with plans to rise to over 180,000oz gold equivalent in 2026. Alkane managing director Nic Earner says this merger represents a significant step forward for both companies. “By combining our complementary portfolios,...

Alcoa to boost Australia’s gallium supply Alcoa (ASX: AAI) has confirmed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) to explore the feasibility of a gallium project in WA. The project will be co-located at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries. Subject to further commercial agreements and regulatory approvals, Alcoa and JAGA are targeting a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2025 with production targeted for 2026. Gallium is recognised as a critical mineral by Australia and the US. Japan has also identified the mineral as one of the 35 minerals important...

$135m for Nyrstar critical metals Nyrstar has secured transitionary funding from the Federal, South Australia and Tasmania Governments for its critical metals processing operations in both states. The funding will enable the company to maintain its ongoing operations while progressing engineering planning to allow assessments of a significant rebuild of its Australian smelters and fast track feasibility studies into critical metals production. The company’s focus will initially be directed towards accelerating an antimony pilot plant in Port Pirie, South Australia before shifting to critical metals studies to...

Macmahon secures $144m in new contracts Decmil, a subsidiary of Macmahon Holdings (ASX: MAH), has secured new civil contract awards with HanRoy, Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Glencore. HanRoy has awarded Decmil a $104m contract for HanRoy’s Marble Bar Road Upgrade Project in WA. The contract for sections 5 and 2B covers about 46km of road construction upgrade works to Main Roads WA standards on Marble Bar Road. Works are expected to commence in August 2025 for an eight-month period. Decmil managing director and chief executive Michael Finnegan comments on the award. “We are very pleased to have been awarded additional works at the...

NSW Resources Regulator’s new compliance priorities The NSW Resources Regulator has published its compliance priorities for July to December 2025. These priorities are aimed at achieving ongoing safety and sustainability of the mining industry in NSW. NSW Resources Regulator executive director Jamie Tripodi says these priorities are evidence-based and respond to incidents and emerging risks. “The compliance priorities for the Regulator will continue to have a strong focus on safety and environmental risks, which is critical for all mine workers and their communities,” she said. The NSW Regulator’s safety compliance priorities will focus on four key concerns across mining and quarry industries:...

From cancer treatment to minerals recovery Australian researchers have applied cancer therapeutic techniques to recovery of critical and rare earth minerals with a new peptide-targeting mineral recovery method. The researchers, based at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (COEMinerals), achieved more than 98% silver purity and more than 95% recovery using the innovative recovery method. Led by the University of Adelaide’s Chemical Engineering School researcher Professor Chun-Xia Zhao, the centre has applied learnings from multiple scientific disciplines to mimic how a cancer-targeting drug finds...

WA to cut mining license rates The WA Government has passed laws to revise the tax status of miscellaneous licenses to ensure they do not attract local government rates. While land held under miscellaneous licences has long been understood to not be rateable under the Local Government Act 1995, the Supreme Court of WA has recently ruled local governments can levy rates on land held under these licences. This ruling has the potential to incur millions of dollars in additional costs for mining and exploration companies throughout the state. As a result, the WA Government is moving to...

BlueScope leading Whyalla steelworks consortium BlueScope (ASX: BSL) will lead an international consortium with global steelmakers to participate in the sale process of Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia. Under a collaboration agreement, BlueScope will work with Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation, India’s JSW Steel and South Korea’s POSCO. Collectively the companies boast a steelmaking capacity of more than 130mt and have a $115b value in market capitalisation. BlueScope will leverage its extensive knowledge of the Australian steel industry as the consortium reviews potential options, opportunities and capital requirements. The consortium has identified Whyalla as a prospective location for future production of green iron in Australia,...

The Role of Dredge Pumps in Australia’s Mining Industry Australia’s mining exports is one of many industries relying heavily on the stability of coastal infrastructure such as ports, terminals and transport corridors that connect mines to global markets. As coastal erosion, sedimentation and extreme weather events increase, maintaining these assets has become a strategic priority. Central to this effort are high performance dredge pumps, which support reclamation and dredging works that protect and preserve essential infrastructure. KSB’s GIW® range of dredge pumps is widely used in applications where durability, reliability and high throughput are critical. These pumps are built to handle abrasive slurries in harsh environments, making them well suited to coastal protection, tailings transport and desedimentation activities linked to...

UWA students make waves in clean energy transition Students at The University of Western Australia (UWA) are using the Swan River to advance renewables technology and drive the state’s transition to clean energy. Since 2016, RiverLab, a partnership between UWA and Woodside, has connected engineering students, world-leading researchers and industry partners to tackle emerging challenges in offshore engineering. Students have the opportunity to design and test prototypes quickly and cost-effectively in Perth’s Swan River Estuary. Last year, students gained hands-on skills in wave energy technology as a commercially viable clean energy solution. As part of the project, UWA Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) and physics student Megan McDougall examined how to improve...