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New government leadership to drive WA priorities The Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson has been appointed as WA Agent General for the UK and Europe region. As the first female CME chief executive in its 122-year history, Ms Tomkinson holds extensive leadership experience across WA’s public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Appointed by the Governor of WA, the Agent General represents WA’s investment attraction and trade promotion efforts by assisting investors and businesses wanting to engage with WA’s industries, including the mining and renewable...

Australian graphite gets a boost CSIRO is supporting the growth of Australia’s battery industry with the launch of a new $400,000 research and development (R&D) grant program to help small-to-medium (SMEs) in mining and manufacturing. The grants will enhance the quality, efficiency and sustainability of graphite — a critical mineral essential to battery production — by funding SMEs working on related projects. Australia holds significant reserves of graphite, but its presence in global battery supply chains remains minimal. The program aims to develop innovative technologies and processes that will position Australian companies as global leaders in graphite...

WA decarbonises iron ore exports NH3 Clean Energy (ASX: NH3) has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Pilbara Ports and Oceania Marine Energy for the establishment of low-emissions ammonia bunkering operations at the Port of Dampier. The operations, aimed to be completed by 2030, will service iron ore carriers and support the energy transition across the Pilbara-Asia maritime corridor. The JDA follows the International Maritime Organisation’s announcement of its net zero framework that sets mandatory emissions limits and a global pricing mechanism for...

Government backs Tanami The Northern Territory Government is showcasing resource development opportunities at the Tanami gold mine, delivering jobs, investment and royalties for locals. The site, acquired by Newmont (ASX: NEM) in 2002, is located 550km northwest of Alice Springs and currently employs more than 1,800 people. The Tanami Expansion 2 (TE2) project is well underway and is anticipated to transform the site’s production capabilities and extend its operational life well beyond 2040. In the current climate of record high gold prices, the mine is set to deliver significant royalty revenue to the Northern Territory economy....

Conspiracy mentality drives misinformation about EVs A University of Queensland-led study has found misinformation about electric vehicles (EVs) has taken root in society, primarily fuelled by mistrust and conspiracy theories. The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School postdoctoral research fellow Dr Chris Bretter says surveys in Australia, the US, Germany and Austria found people were more likely to agree than disagree with misinformation on EVs — even among those who owned one. "The misinformation statements we tested included that EVs are more likely to catch fire than petrol cars, do not produce emission savings and emit...

Unlocking opportunities for Pinjarra students A group of high school students have been given the inside scoop on the Alcoa recruitment process and how to perfect job resumes and ace interviews. Alcoa’s Pinjarra alumina refinery hosted an employability and personal branding workshop at Pinjarra Senior High School as part of the Pinjarra Prospects Program. The program, now in its ninth year, is a joint partnership between Pinjarra Senior High School and Pinjarra refinery and aims to prepare students for their move into the workforce. Twenty-seven female students from year 10 took...

Queensland backs CopperString with $2.4b The Queensland Government has reinforced its commitment to CopperString, announcing it will boost funding for the project in the upcoming state budget. The FY26 state budget will bring the total funding commitment for the project to a record investment of $2.4b — an increase of $1.4b on last year’s budget. The CopperString project is a 1,100km high-voltage electricity transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa that will connect the state’s North West Minerals Province to the national electricity grid. Ahead of handing down the state budget on June 24,...

Australia to fill Nigeria’s skills gap Last week, Murdoch University (MU) welcomed Nigeria Solid Minerals Minister Dr Henry Dele Alake ahead of a two-week technical training program. The program, a collaboration between MU and the Federal Government, marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between both countries and is designed to address Nigeria’s resource sector technical skills gap. Delegates will engage directly with mining industry experts on trends in mining, investment opportunities and sustainability challenges as well as visit...

Indigenous excellence recognised at Blackwater Ochre Australia was announced as a finalist in the 2025 Queensland Resource Council Indigenous Awards in the Exceptional Indigenous Business Award category after being nominated by Whitehaven. Supported by Whitehaven, Ochre has been instrumental in several rehabilitation and environmental projects at Blackwater coal mine, including supply of operators, execution of civil works packages, legacy borehole location and sediment control. The teams worked closely together to build Ochre’s capability to address mine compliance, which has positioned them to grow to where the now are — working autonomously at Blackwater. Ochre...

Australian mining to power 2032 Olympics The Queensland Government is setting a major projects pipeline for the state’s mining industry in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In a delivery plan for the event, the Queensland Government outlined a $7.1b infrastructure program that includes the construction of new Olympic venues and enhancing transport networks across regional and southeast Queensland as well as expanding essential energy infrastructure. The most notable project is the construction of a new 63,000-seat stadium to be built in Brisbane’s Victoria Park, a feat that will require...

Rio debuts newest iron ore mine Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and China Baowu Group have officially opened their joint venture, 54% and 46% owned respectively, the Western Range iron ore mine in the Pilbara region in WA. The $3b project, completed on time and within budget, is anticipated to provide stability for Paraburdoo’s more than 880 residential and FIFO employees. It also supports the ongoing viability of Paraburdoo town and strengthens the WA and national economies through royalties and taxes. The opening of the site follows the completion of construction...