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Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will begin early works and conduct final engineering studies to increase production capacity at its Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland, aiming for first output in 2029. The project — named Kangwinan at the request of Traditional Owners, the Wik Waya people — will involve building a new mine and expanding the existing port to almost double bauxite production from Rio Tinto’s Weipa Southern operations, where Amrun is located. Production from the Kangwinan project would replace output from the Andoom mine in Cape York and the Gove mine in the Northern Territory, which are both expected to close toward the end of the current decade. Rio Tinto pacific operations aluminium managing director Armando Torres comments on the…

Australia’s only commercial ferroalloy smelter, located in Tasmania, has moved into care and maintenance due to ongoing global iron ore supply issues and market fluctuations. The Liberty Bell Bay smelter is considered one of the largest ferroalloy produces globally, operating since, producing ferro manganese and silicomanganese, two alloys commonly used in steel production. The plant has an annual liquid steel capacity of over 6mt. Tasmania Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz says that the state government has been and will continue to maintain very close contact with liberty Bell Bay and the broader GFC Alliance group to work through the situation. “We will respond accordingly with our focus on ensuring the well-being of the workers, suppliers, contractors and community…

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) contractor JSW Drilling has looked to the mountains of Europe to develop exploration drilling operations in the Northern Jarrah Forest of WA that will have the lowest possible environmental impact. Drawing inspiration from specialised Slovakian-made forestry equipment, JSW have developed innovative drilling rigs for low-impact forest drilling. The company refined then customised a cab chassis specifically for Alcoa’s minimalist impact needs. The cab and custom-made drill control station are equipped with protective features designed in accordance with Australian forestry standards and Alcoa’s operational requirements, ensuring enhanced safety and risk mitigation in forested environments. The chassis has the unique ability to both oscillate and articulate, meaning the machines can rotate and turn tightly to navigate around trees. They…

WA Premier Roger Cook is travelling to Indonesia and Singapore with the aim of reaffirming the state’s important role in supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation of the ASEAN region. While in Indonesia, WA Premier Cook will participate in strategic engagements with the East Java Provincial Government, Indonesia Australia Business Council East Java Chapter and the Australian Consul-General in Surabaya. The WA Premier will spend two days in Surabaya before flying to Singapore. In Singapore, the Premier will participate in a roundtable discussion with government, businesses and investors to discuss energy transition and decarbonisation and related opportunities. WA Premier Cook says Indonesia and Singapore are crucial trading partners for WA – which is why he is prioritising this region for…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Corporación Nacional Del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) have signed binding agreements to form a joint venture to develop and operate a high-grade lithium project in the Salar de Maricunga in Chile. The agreement is the next step in a broader strategic partnership to strengthen both Rio Tinto’s and Chile’s positions as leading suppliers of materials for the global energy transition. Salar de Maricunga is a large lithium-containing resource base in the Atacama region with the potential for scalable, long-life and low-cost production. Its brine has one of the highest average grades of lithium content in the world. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will acquire a 49.99% interest in Salar de Maricunga SpA, through which Codelco…

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) has commercially produced separated heavy rare earths following its successful production of dysprosium oxide at its Malaysia plant. This makes the company the only global producer of the products outside of China. Dysprosium is critical to the production of high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Production of the strategic mineral has been affected by China’s recent export restrictions. Lynas, based in Perth, WA, confirmed the successful production of its first batch of the mineral on Friday. The company currently sources the ore for its refineries from its Mt Weld mine, a rare earth deposit estimated to contain more than 2mt in reserves, located near Kalgoorlie in WA. Lynas chief executive and managing…

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has marked a new milestone at its Onslow iron project, in the west Pilbara region of WA, with more than 10mt of iron ore shipped out of the Port of Ashburton. The project is expected to increase production to more than 35mt annually over its 30-year life span. After achieving first ore on ship ahead of schedule in May last year, development across all aspects of the pit to ship supply chain has continued to increase. At the Port of Ashburton, the project’s marine and port infrastructure continues to be a crucial part of the supply chain. Innovative 20,000t shallow transhippers are being used to ferry the ore to larger ocean-going vessels anchored 40km offshore. MinRes…

Three BMA-funded scholars celebrated their successes at the CQ University graduation ceremony in Mackay, Queensland. Bachelor of Nursing graduate Michelle Erikson and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) graduate Julieanne Bergmann joined hundreds of fellow graduates who received their official certification with the help of their BMA scholarships. Michelle is a mum of four children with no extended family support in Mackay. She relied on both her husband and the CQUniCares BMA Community Scholarship funding to help get her through her studies. “The scholarship was extremely beneficial for myself and my family as it helped financially with the costs involved, mainly of unpaid placements hours,” Michelle said. BMA has been in partnership with CQ University since 2013, delivering a mix of…

Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining subsidiary, Barminco, has signed a new contract to continue underground mining operations at the Agnew gold mine for Gold Fields. Agnew is near Leinster, WA and includes multiple underground operations. As part of the renewal, development and production undertaken by Barminco has been agreed for another 3-years plus a 1-year extension option. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is pleased to be extending its relationship with Gold Fields at the Agnew gold mine. “Gold Fields is one of our most longstanding and valued clients, with history of more than 30 years working alongside the various Perenti businesses,” he said. “Our Australian operations are important for Barminco to deliver enduring value…

Rio Tinto is investing $1.8b (US$1.2b) to modernise its Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant in Quebec, Canada, marking the miner’s largest single investment in its hydroelectric assets since the 1950s. The power plant modernisation is essential to secure the future of low-carbon aluminium production in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, supporting the jobs of employees across the region. This allows Rio Tinto to protect its assets for the long term, ensure a more efficient, safe and reliable power supply of renewable energy to smelters, casting houses and other facilities and maintain safe operations for its employees and the community. The project will run until 2032, with an estimation of more than 300 people working on the site at its peak. It includes replacing eight turbine-alternator…

Macmahon Holdings’ (ASX: MAH) wholly owned subsidiary, Decmil, has been awarded two new contracts from Eva Copper Mine and Arrow Energy. Decmil will deliver the new operations permanent village at the Eva Copper Mine in Queensland, adding about $70m to Macmahon’s secured orderbook. The project involves the design and construction of a 454-person accommodation village, including accommodation units, central facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, internal roads, drainage, bulk earthworks, services installation and associated infrastructure. Works are set to commence in mid-2025, with completion expected in 2026. In WA, Decmil will also design and construct the Girrawheen satellite warehouse and operations facility for Arrow Energy, adding about $10m to Macmahon’s secured orderbook. The scope of work for Decmil involves the…