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BHP cuts 750 Queensland coal jobs BHP (ASX: BHP) and Mitsubishi, as BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA), will suspend operations at the jointly owned Saraji South coal mine with the operation being place in care and maintenance in November 2025. The companies attributed the closure to consistently weak metallurgical coal prices and the impact of the Queensland Government’s coal royalties — a scheme introduced in 2022 when coal prices were significantly higher. BMA president Adam Lancey says the Queensland coal industry is approaching a crisis point. “As joint owners of BMA, BHP and Mitsubishi do not want to see operations paused or...

Federal Government report a climate change ‘wake-up call’ This week, the Federal Government released its first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA), which will be used to develop Australia’s 2035 emissions reduction target — expected this week. Australia’s first independent NCRA, created by the Australian Climate Service, compiles data and analysis from world-leading experts and scientists from the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Geoscience Australia. Alongside the comprehensive assessment, the Federal Government released a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) — a vision for a...

EPCA advancing mining electrification Electric Power Conversions Australia (EPCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ABB to deploy full battery electric retrofit solutions for mining trucks. ABB is a Switzerland-based leading global technology company and together the companies will deliver retrofit solutions for conventionally powered trucks for mid-sized haul trucks with capacities of 100-150t. This collaboration represents a significant milestone for EPCA as it scales its retrofit technology beyond demonstration and into broader deployment. It reflects the alignment between EPCA’s hands-on expertise in mining truck electrification and ABB’s...

Ivanhoe delays ASX IPO Ivanhoe Atlantic has pushed back its mid-year initial public offering (IPO) target and is now aiming to launch its IPO in Australia before the end of 2025. Privately-owned US-based Ivanhoe is looking to develop the Kon Kweni high-grade iron-ore deposit in Guinea, West Africa, to provide a supply of high-grade iron ore that can be readily processed in Middle East into low emissions steel that can feed a US supply chain. At the WA Mining Club August luncheon, Ivanhoe...

Australia unlikely to embrace deep-sea mining The US is advancing its deep-sea mining interests, but Federal Resource Minister Madeleine King urged Australia to remain focused on its above ground critical minerals resources. In May US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to open US and international waters to deep-sea mining, which targets polymetallic nodules — a rich source of cobalt, nickel and manganese. To address the critical minerals supply-demand gap mining companies, including Canadian based deep-sea miner The Metals Company, are embracing the alternative source. The Metals Company...

BHP greenlights $1.4b Port Hedland investment BHP (ASX: BHP) is advancing its port debottlenecking project 2 (PDP2) as part of major strategic investment in Port Hedland’s infrastructure to support surrounding operations.   The investment will enhance operational resilience and efficiency with the installation of a sixth car dumper (CD6) as well as additional conveyors and supporting infrastructure to support WA Iron Ore’s (WAIO) production target of 305mtpa.  Port Hedland is one of the largest iron ore loading ports in the world and the largest in Australia, making it critical to mining operations not just in WA but globally. The ports are linked to...

MinRes introduces reusable crib kits Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has eliminated thousands of single-use meal containers from its operations by rolling out more than 5,000 reusable crib kits to its workforce.  In line with the WA Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, the initiative aims to change habits around crib meals — packed meals prepared by FIFO workers before the start of their shift.  By introducing reusable crib kits, MinRes is addressing the problem of disposable containers, which generate significant amount of waste, at its source.    Based on employee feedback, MinRes developed an eight-piece reusable kit designed for both practicality and durability. To ensure effective uptake, supporting infrastructure was installed across sites to enable the hygienic washing...

Colours of our Country celebrates 20 years  The Colours of our Country exhibition, exhibited by Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) to showcases the work of Aboriginal artists from across the Pilbara, returns to Perth on September 15-26.  This year’s exhibition features 124 artworks by 43 artists, with each piece reflecting a deep connection to country, culture and community.   The Perth exhibition comes after Colours of our Country reached new audiences after it travelled to London for the first time in July and was showcased...

Mitsui acquires stakes in emerging BHP iron ore deposit Mitsui and Itochu will acquire an indirect 7% and 8% interest respectively in BHP’s (ASX: BHP) 100%-owned Ministers North iron ore deposit. Following the fulfillment of the condition’s precedent, the shareholding interest of Ministers North between Mitsui, BHP and Itochu will become 7%, 85% and 8% respectively, aligned with the interest of the existing WA iron ore business owned by the three companies. Ministers North is located in the Pilbara region of WA, where Mitsui has been engaged in iron ore projects since the 1960s. It is close to iron ore mines...

Queensland leads the charge with Australia’s first vanadium battery supply chain The Queensland Government is establishing Australia’s first vanadium battery supply chain, delivering a fresh start for North Queensland. The government is investing $10m in Vecco Group’s mine and commercial-scale electrolyte facility. Using vanadium sourced from Julia Creek, the Townsville facility will anchor a pit-to-port product manufacturing chain, supplying vanadium flow batteries for global energy storage markets. The end-to-end vanadium battery supply chain will help reinforce Queensland’s leadership in critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. Queensland Finance, Trade, Employment...

Anglo American merges with Teck Resources Anglo American and Teck Resources have entered an agreement to join forces in a proposed merger of equals to form a new company — Anglo-Teck. Anglo Teck is set to become one of the top five copper producers in the world, with combined production from its mines in Chile, Peru and Canada to be about 1.2mt, predicted to reach 1.35mt by 2027. By bringing together the strengths of both companies, Anglo Teck will leverage proven capabilities in technical and operational excellence, sustainability, product marketing and project execution to deliver value-accretive growth....