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Gold companies sweep up at Diggers & Dealers Awards The current record-breaking gold market was highlighted yesterday at the 34th Diggers & Dealers Awards with gold miners taking home the majority of awards. At the Diggers & Dealers gala dinner, De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) took home the Dealer of the Year Award for its $5b sale of its Hemi gold project in the Pilbara, WA, to Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) earlier this year. Ramelius Resources (ASX: RMS) was given the Digger of the Year Award for its consistent delivery on promised production and cost guidance targets consecutively for the last five years....

Liontown’s $226m Kathleen Valley ramp-up Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has launched a full underwritten institutional placement to support the underground transition at its Kathleen Valley lithium mine in WA. Underground production began at the site in April and, following the ramp-up, full scale underground operations are expected by September 2026. Part of the placement, which includes about 364.4m shares to raise at $0.73 per share, is a $50m investment from the Federal Government’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC). NRFC chief executive Davud Gall says Australia is well-positioned to be a competitive, long-term supplier of lithium to the rest of the world...

WA launches $4m GreenTech Hub The WA GreenTech Hub has formally launched with the aim of strengthening local capability and capacity in green technologies and services across the state. Led by Curtin University Institute for Energy Transition, the stand-alone facility will leverage expertise and oversee collaborations between government, industry, academia and the community by hosting innovation challenges and Curtin’s Accelerate program. The hub’s innovation challenges aim to address an industry challenge and develop solutions through expanding WA’s green technology ecosystem by connecting existing and emerging innovators. The first innovation challenge the hub will focus on is advanced energy...

Rio Tinto locks in $276m for Amrun Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has approved an investment of $276m (US$180m) and commenced work on the Norman Creek access project at its Amrun bauxite mine on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. The Norman Creek access project will enable mining of the Norman Creek region of Amrun, which holds approximately half of the currently declared Amrun ore reserves of 978mt. Construction is underway on key infrastructure, including a 19-kilometre haul road, camp accommodation and a communications tower. First production from Norman Creek is targeted...

MinRes board shrinks Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Justin Langer has resigned as an independent non-executive director of the MinRes board. Mr Langer joined the MinRes Board in January 2023 and was most recently a member of the Nomination, Remuneration and People, Sustainability, and Ethics and Governance committees. Mr Langer says it has been a privilege to serve on the MinRes board during a period of significant challenges and change for the company. “MinRes is a strong and resilient business with a high-performance culture,” he said. “I have been inspired by the dedication, passion and commitment of its people. Since he joined the MinRes Board more than two...

Lithium heavyweights seek price stability Two of Australia’s biggest lithium producers, Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) and Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS), have reported positive FY25 results despite volatile lithium prices. EV sales growing by 26% and BESS sales growing 51% in CY24 compared to CY23, according to PLS. Despite this, the lithium market has seen a significant price drop as the industry faces challenges from oversupply. In presentations given at the Diggers & Dealers Forum earlier this week, representatives from both companies expressed their concern regarding price volatility and oversupply. PLS chief executive Dale Henderson says the lithium market is volatile, fast moving and...

Rio leading tailings transparency Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released detailed information on its global tailings facilities in alignment with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). The disclosure includes updated information on 14 of the company’s tailings facilities rated very high or extreme consequence under GISTM classification, based on the highest potential consequences in the extremely unlikely event of a failure — previously disclosed in 2023 — as well as new information on a further 84 facilities rated low, high or...

WA opens new exploration funding round The WA Government has opened applications for Round 32 of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), which continues to support innovative exploration across the state. By co-funding exploration drilling, geophysics and energy analysis, the EIS aims to help companies take on high-risk, high-reward projects in underexplored and remote regions. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the WA Government is driving mineral exploration across WA to secure the state’s future as a global leader in mining — particularly in the critical minerals essential to the clean energy transition. "By working closely with industry and regional communities, we're accelerating...

Alkane and Mandalay merge Alkane Resources (ASX: ALK) and Canada’s Mandalay Resources have finalised their merger, creating a dual-listed gold and antimony producer with operations in Australia and Sweden. The company’s three cash-generating assets are located in premier mining jurisdictions and are each supported by robust organic growth opportunities, according to Alkane. The combined company is an established 160,000oz gold equivalent producer, with plans to rise to over 180,000oz gold equivalent in 2026. Alkane managing director Nic Earner says this merger represents a significant step forward for both companies. “By combining our complementary portfolios,...

Alcoa to boost Australia’s gallium supply Alcoa (ASX: AAI) has confirmed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) to explore the feasibility of a gallium project in WA. The project will be co-located at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries. Subject to further commercial agreements and regulatory approvals, Alcoa and JAGA are targeting a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2025 with production targeted for 2026. Gallium is recognised as a critical mineral by Australia and the US. Japan has also identified the mineral as one of the 35 minerals important...

$135m for Nyrstar critical metals Nyrstar has secured transitionary funding from the Federal, South Australia and Tasmania Governments for its critical metals processing operations in both states. The funding will enable the company to maintain its ongoing operations while progressing engineering planning to allow assessments of a significant rebuild of its Australian smelters and fast track feasibility studies into critical metals production. The company’s focus will initially be directed towards accelerating an antimony pilot plant in Port Pirie, South Australia before shifting to critical metals studies to...