Latest News

Gold outlook: downhill or second wind? The World Gold Council has released its Gold Mid-Year Outlook, as the metal continues its record-setting pace, rising 26% in US dollar terms in H1 CY25. A combination of a weaker US dollar, rangebound rates and a highly uncertain geoeconomic environment has driven this strong investment demand. The paper examines the base, bull and bear cases for gold in H2 CY25. The World Gold Council forecasts that under current consensus expectations for continued normalisation gold could remain rangebound in H2, closing roughly 0%–5% higher than current levels, still equivalent to a 25%–30% annual return Should economic and/or financial conditions deteriorate further, under the bull case, exacerbating...

PLS launches hybrid truck trial with Switch PLS (ASX: PLS) has partnered with WA-based innovation company Switch to develop and trial a hybrid diesel-electric truck. Over the past year, both companies have worked together to develop a hybrid solution for PLS’ 150t class of haul trucks that meets operational requirements. The resulting custom hybrid haul truck blends the reliability of diesel with the efficiency of electric vehicles. The haul truck is designed to reduce emissions, improve fuel performance and build internal capability at PLS as it continues its broader energy transition. Full battery-electric haul trucks remain a long-term goal across the resources industry. With...

BHP explores battery electrification BHP (ASX: BHP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with battery electrification pioneers FinDreams Battery (FDB) and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). Recognising the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, BHP is working closely with both companies to explore the application of existing and emerging technologies. BHP and FDB will investigate powertrain battery solutions for heavy mining equipment with adjacent flash-charging infrastructure.  The companies will also explore BYD commercial vehicles and light vehicles for use across BHP’s operations....

Atlas’ successful start Image Resources (ASX: IMA) has successfully completed three planned shipments of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) in the June quarter from its WA-based Atlas mineral sands project. The shipments from the project, located 170km north of Perth, totalled 35kt and had a total booked revenue of around $22m. Atlas is now operating at nameplate capacity, a significant milestone for the project. Operations at the project commenced in early April this year with the June quarter marking the first quarter of production at Atlas. This follows rapid and successful project commissioning in February and March this...

Sandvik and Glencore roll out collision-avoidance technology Sandvik Mining and Glencore International AG have expanded an existing partnership to complement operational safety and efficiency and optimise performance across Glencore’s underground mixed fleet. Under the expanded partnership, Sandvik can deliver its fully OEM-agnostic Newtrax Collision Avoidance Safety technology and the Newtrax Mining Data Platform (MDP) to complement operational safety and efficiency and continue to optimise performance across Glencore’s underground mixed fleet. Implementation of these solutions on Sandvik and third-party equipment is currently underway at Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company operations in...

First sale of heavy rare earths for ASM Australian Strategic Materials (ASX: ASM) has sold 2kg of terbium metal and 2 kg of dysprosium metal to Magnequench as the company establishes a resilient and dependable supply chain outside of China. These heavy rare earth metals were produced at ASM’s Korean Metals Plant, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing development of its heavy rare earth capabilities, and shipped to Neo Performance Materials’ permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Estonia. In addition to this inaugural heavy rare earth metals sale, ASM has also completed the sale of 10t of neodymium-praseodymium metal to...

WA rolls out new Industry Reference Group A new Industry Reference Group (IRG) will provide advice to government on the development of the Western Trade Coast (WTC) as Perth's premier strategic industrial area continues to grow. The group will inform the delivery of common-user infrastructure in the region and consider industry needs in government policy and decision-making. The Western Trade Coast — which covers the Kwinana Industrial Area, Rockingham Industry Zone, Latitude 32 General Industrial Area and Australian Marine Complex —contributes $15b to the WA economy each year and supports...

Miners warn supreme court decision could cost industry millions The Shire of Mount Magnet in WA has won an appeal giving it the right to charge rates on occupied crown land. The decision has flipped a 40-year-old understanding that Local Governments are unable to levy rates on Miscellaneous Licences. Some industry stakeholders worry that the decision by the WA Supreme Court to uphold the appeal in the Shire of Mount Magnet v Atlantic Vanadium 2025 could open the door to a massive financial hit on WA’s resources sector. According to the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) the decision paves the way for councils to lift rates in an area they were previously unable to. “If implemented across WA,...

Bravus cushions Queensland from the ground up Clermont’s littlest locals are playing on safer ground thanks to a helping hand from Bravus Mining and Resources’ Community Grant Program. Bravus Mining and Resources ESG, transformation and reputation head Kate Campbell says the business is delighted to support Clermont Kindergarten and Day Care Centre to buy 22 enormous soft fall mats to increase the use and improve the safety of the kindy’s outdoor play area. “Our Carmichael mine sits just 160km north of Clermont, so the people in the community are...

Australia’s first underground lithium mine Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has officially opened its Kathleen Valley lithium project 680km north-east of Perth, WA. The project is a globally significant, long-life operation and Australia’s first underground lithium mine that is expected to generate jobs and bolster local development. Liontown has already signed offtake agreements with some of the world’s leading electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturers including Tesla, Ford, LG Energy Solution and Beijing Sinomine. With these contracts, the company has secured demand for the project’s initial production and positioned itself as an emerging force in the global lithium supply chain. Boosted by a $15m interest-free loan from the...

Draft rehabilitation plan for Hazelwood mine Community members will have a say on the rehabilitation of the former Hazelwood Mine and help shape the Latrobe Valley landscape in Victoria for decades to come. Engie has prepared a draft Declared Mine Rehabilitation Plan (DMRP) for the site, which is now open for public consultation. Engie says the final rehabilitation plans for the site have evolved over several decades and are primarily centred around creation of a full lake in the mine void. A full lake and associated...