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Broken Hill extends major project status Cobalt Blue Holdings (ASX: COB) has been awarded a three-year extension on the major project status for its Broken Hill cobalt project in NSW. Major project status enables additional Federal Government regulatory support for projects of national significance through their contribution to strategic priorities, economic growth, employment and regional Australia. The recognition of the project’s national significance supports the company in advancing investment discussions, particularly pertaining to international investor support, as well as domestic investment. Cobalt Blue chief executive Andrew Tong says major project status acknowledges the strategic significance of the project...

Study unearths how copper deposits formed An international study has revealed how continental collisions may have supercharged Earth’s richest deposits of copper, a metal critical for clean energy technologies and global infrastructure. RSC principal geoscientist and the University of Western Australia School of Earth and Oceans’ Dr Yongjun Lu was co-author of the study published in Science Advances. Researchers analysed magmatic rocks from the Gangdese belt in southern Tibet — one of the world’s richest porphyry copper provinces. Porphyry copper deposits are the largest copper source globally and form when hot hydrothermal fluids travel through fractured rocks and precipitate copper minerals. “The...

Austral revives Rocklands copper mine Austral Resources Australia (ASX: AR1) has entered a binding agreement to acquire Copper Resources Australia’s Rocklands copper mine near Cloncurry, Queensland for $18m. The Rocklands copper mine — which has been on care & maintenance since late 2024 — is a fully permitted, near-term production asset. The Rocklands facility contains significant processing infrastructure adjacent to an existing resource base located only 50km east of Austral’s existing eastern tenement areas. The acquisition also complements the existing Mt Kelly SX-EW operations by expanding production capacity into copper-gold sulphide mineralisation. Austral chairman David Newling comments on the acquisition. “The acquisition of...

Geoscience igniting modern gold rush Experts from the Geological Survey of WA (GSWA) have led a geoscientific breakthrough that could spark the next wave of major gold discoveries across the state. By analysing thousands of geological samples, GSWA has identified the chemical signature most closely linked to the formation of gold-rich mineral systems — particularly those formed by ancient intrusions of molten rock deep beneath the Earth’s surface. The discovery is a major advancement in mineral exploration on a global scale as many of the world’s largest and most productive gold deposits are found within intrusion-related systems. These...

Sandvik grows Mongolian fleet Sandvik Mining has been contracted to supply 17 loaders and two trucks to Rio Tinto’s (ASX: Rio) Oyu Tolgoi copper-mine in the South Gobi Desert. The underground equipment supply includes eight Toro LH410 loaders, seven Toro LH515i loaders, two Toro LH517i loaders and two Toro TH551i trucks. Deliveries are expected to begin in October 2025 and continue through to late next year. Underground operations at the site, jointly owned by Rio (66%) and the Mongolia Government (34%), began in early 2023 and have continued to ramp...

Rio awards $167m contract to NRW NRW Civil & Mining, a subsidiary of NRW Holdings (ASX: NWH), has been awarded a contract for works at Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Brockman Syncline 1 mine in the Pilbara region of WA. Under the contract NRW will be responsible for the construction of earthworks, roadworks and drainage associated with the primary crusher, overland conveyor and non-process infrastructure at the site located within the Brockman mine hub. NRW will also be responsible for the construction of haul roads, access roads and concrete structures. The scope of the works includes drill...

Meeka pours first gold at the Murchison First gold was poured on schedule at the Murchison gold project, as ramp-up in gold production continues to progress smoothly with commissioning complete. Meeka Metals (ASX: MEK) managing director Tim Davidson comments on the achievement. “It is an impressive achievement by the team to deliver first gold on time and within 12 months of breaking ground at the Murchison,” he said. “We are now focused on ramping up gold production toward our targeted 80kozpa with the arrival of the third dig fleet and expanded open pit mining plan underway and first ore from underground at Andy Well in the...

BHP charts a course with ammonia BHP has signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers. The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a marine fuel. The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from WA to Northeast Asia. When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these...

Scholars drive WA’s minerals innovation The WA Government has announced the cohort for the Minerals Institute of WA (MRIWA) 2025 PhD scholarships and student placement schemes. The schemes strengthen the resources sector by driving innovation in sustainable mineral production and fostering research and industry advancement, reinforcing WA’s position as a global industry leader. The scholarships have been awarded to three students that are tackling critical challenges faced by the minerals industry. Kenneth Akiti has been awarded the prestigious Odwyn Jones PhD Scholarship for his research into responsible management of retired mining vehicle batteries, addressing environmental and economic challenges....

Fortescue empowers future leaders Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has pledged $600,000 over three years to support program development at Hedland Senior High School, located in Port Hedland, WA. The funding will enable Hedland Senior High School to deliver a suite of education and engagement programs aimed at empowering local youth to strengthen regional capability and deepen First Nations engagement. A wide range of initiatives will benefit from the funding, including science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programs for students, improvements to the school’s technology hub and culturally respectful initiatives that celebrate...

Minerals booming in latest Australian resource forecasts The Federal Industry, Science and Resources Department has reported growing resources and energy export volumes in the most recent Australian Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ). Gold is set to become Australia’s third largest resources export earner, as the commodity fetches record prices, behind iron ore and liquid natural gas next year, with earnings forecast to reach $56b, according to the REQ. Exploration expenditure for iron ore — Australia’s largest export earner — continues to rise. Amid continued fallout over global trade tensions and conflicts — the REQ reported —...