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QRC celebrates Indigenous industry excellence The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has announced the finalists for the 2025 Indigenous Awards that celebrate the outstanding talent and contribution of Indigenous people and companies to the state’s resource sector. Across the six award categories, 15 Indigenous people and three Indigenous companies have been named as finalists. Indigenous Advocacy Whitehaven environment and rehabilitation manager Byron Ginty Thiess operator, trainer, assessor and crew safety representative Jemma Kemp South32 (ASX: S32) local sourcing professional supply team members Michelle O’Brien, Jenaya Storey and Kylie Allan Exceptional Indigenous...

South Australia sets aside $650m for Whyalla The South Australia Government has announced its contribution of $650m to support Whyalla steelworks as part of the $2.4b sovereign steel package in partnership with the Federal Government. This comes as part of the state’s FY26 budget and follows the state placing OneSteel Manufacturing, Whyalla steelworks’ owner, into administration in early 2025. The budget provides $192m of stabilisation funding, a further $395m for modernising of the steelworks and $63m in an emergency response package. Industry response to the budget has been mixed, with criticism coming from South Australian Chamber...

Adelaide’s bid to host COP31 The South Australian Government has allocated $8.3m in the FY26 State Budget to support Adelaide’s preparations to host the United Nations COP31 Climate Change Conference in 2026. The state is one of the fastest growing global leaders of decarbonisation, with 75% of its energy coming from renewable sources and a target of 100% renewables by 2027. If Australia’s bid to host the event is successful, the funding from the South Australian Government will support early works for the event, including planning for security, transport and infrastructure. To secure host status ahead of...

PLS supports community with grants program Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) has opened applications for its annual Community Grants program, inviting community organisations in Port Hedland and surrounding WA communities to apply for funding of up to $10,000. PLS chief sustainability officer Sandra McInnes says the support of community-driven initiatives in creating lasting positive impact is incredibly important. “Our commitment to shaping tomorrow extends far beyond our role in the clean energy transition — it encompasses our responsibility to the communities where we operate and...

Lincoln advances uranium exploration Lincoln Minerals (ASX: LML) has signed a Native Title mining agreement with the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation and Traditional Owners to progress mineral exploration at its Jungle Dam uranium prospect in South Australia. The agreement grants Lincoln access to exploration licence (EL) 5942 and has been formally submitted to the South Australia Energy and Mining Department for registration. Lincoln Minerals chief executive Jonathon Trewartha comments on the signing. “Finalising this agreement marks a major milestone for our exploration efforts at Jungle Dam,” he said. “We are pleased to be working in respectful partnership...

Metso divests its ferrous business Metso has signed an agreement to sell its ferrous business to SMS group, a global company providing technology and services in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the metals industry. Some of the businesses to be divested include travelling grate pelletising and CircoredTM direct reduction process, as well as the related service business. About 180 employees, primarily based in Germany, India and China, are planned to join the SMS group at the closing of the transaction. The closing of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to take place in Q1 CY26. Metso minerals business area president Piia Karhu says SMS group is...

Rio closes in on $75m CZR deal CZR Resources (ASX: CZR) has received approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) for the sale of its Robe Mesa iron ore project, located in the West Pilbara in WA, to the River Iron Associates joint venture (RRJV). The FIRB approval satisfies one of the key conditions outlined in the sale agreement and means that the Federal Australian Treasurer has no objections to the transaction. Outstanding conditions...

Stanmore commissions second R 9600 excavator Liebherr-Australia continues to grow its partnership with Stanmore Resources (ASX: SMR) with the arrival of a second R 9600 excavator at the South Walker Creek mine located in the Queensland Bowen Basin. The first 600t machine was delivered to Stanmore’s Yellow Iron fleet in September operating at the metallurgical coal mine. Built by Liebherr-Australia’s Mackay project team, both excavators were delivered on time and within budget. The projects were managed through a consistent, team-based approach with a clear focus on safety, performance and...

AMEC calls for action amid exploration decline The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its Q1 CY25 mineral and exploration statistics which has highlighted a decline in exploration activity across the country. The data shows an 18.4% decrease in total exploration from the Q4 CY24, representing $181m decline in exploration expenditure. Year-on-year this shows an 11.5% drop or $105m decrease. There was a 21.9% drop in new exploration drilling and there was a 11.6% decline in total metres drilled. Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) chief executive Warren Pearce says the data demonstrates what the association has...

Rio signs historic co-management agreement Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation have signed a co-management agreement to support a partnership built on genuine equity. The agreement is the overarching framework for Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations on PKKP Country and regulates how both parties will collaborate on proposals affecting heritage and social surroundings throughout the mine lifecycle. It is designed to provide certainty to the PKKP for the protection and management of...

Everest advances Australian-first rubidium project Everest Metals Corporation (ASX: EMC) has partnered with Edith Cowan University (ECU) to deliver an engineering scoping study for rubidium extraction at its Mt Edon critical minerals project in the southern part of the Paynes Find Greenstone Belt in WA. Rubidium is a valuable substitute amid global declining caesium supplies, and the company is leveraging this increasing demand with its innovative direct rubidium extraction (DRE) technology, developed in collaboration with ECU, that has achieved more than 97% rubidium recovery. Rubidium is considered a critical mineral for its use in communication technologies,...