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Rio's critical move into critical minerals Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and partner Indium Corporation have successfully extracted its first primary gallium as part of a research and development project. The project aims to produce commercial quantities of the critical mineral present in the bauxite processed at Rio’s Vaudreuil refinery in Quebec in Canada, the country’s one and only alumina refinery. Gallium is used in key sectors including the manufacturing high-performance radars, smartphones, electric vehicles and laptops. The mineral is produced in limited quantities across the globe with only an estimate 600t produced annually. Rio Tinto chief executive Jérôme...

Queensland unlocks northwest mining opportunities The Queensland Government has announced a series of incentives aimed at pushing growth and investment across mining and freight sectors. The new incentives aim to cut rail access charges for emerging rock phosphate producers and simultaneously increase freight volumes and support new entrants in the market. Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says that the initiative will deliver real outcomes for the region. “We want to see mines opening, not closing,” he said. “That’s why we’re incentivising phosphate on the Mount Isa rail line, to take the pressure off new...

Speewah: Australia’s first fluorite project progresses Tivan (ASX: TVN) has formed an incorporated joint venture (IJV) with leading Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corporation. The IJV is working to develop, finance and operate the Speewah fluorite project in the Kimberley region of WA. This coincides with rising interest in the mineral after fluorine was added to Australia’s critical minerals list in late 2023. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson comments on the partnership. “We are delighted to commence a long-term partnership with one of Japan’s most respected companies and to have established a relationship based upon...

Finalists for 2025 Industry Leaders & Awards Austmine and AusIMM have announced the finalists for the 2025 Industry Leaders & Awards, celebrating excellence across Australia’s world-leading mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors. Winners will be announced on 21 May at the Industry Leaders & Awards Dinner held as part of the Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX25) in Brisbane. The annual awards highlight the achievements of individuals and organisations who are shaping the future of the resource sector, from driving forward innovation and operational excellence to expanding Australia’s global...

Introducing Caterpillar’s advanced safety technology Cat® has announced new advanced safety technology, including a collision warning and motion inhibit system, across its next generation medium wheel loaders. Fully integrated for optimal performance, the new features are designed to improve safety, operational efficiency and provide greater accuracy. Cat global product application specialist for medium wheel loaders Frank Stadelmann comments on the new technology. “Our new optional collision warning system with motion inhibit includes object detection, people detection and motion inhibit as a package to improve safe operation by alerting operators and inhibiting loader motion in...

Peabody puts pressure on $6.3b pursuit Peabody Energy has confirmed it still intends to acquire Anglo American’s Australian portfolio of steelmaking coal mines despite the recent pause in operations. The company notified Anglo American of a material adverse change (MAC) that relates to a fire that occurred at the Moranbah North coal mine, located in Queensland, in March. If the MAC is not resolved to Peabody’s satisfaction within the timeline under the acquisition agreements, the company may elect to terminate the multi-billion-dollar deal. Anglo American confirmed that the small ignition was...

Industry reacts to election results The Federal Government is focusing on critical mineral supply and the renewable energy transition following Australia’s federal election results. As the country moves towards net zero operations, the Federal Government is looking to facilitate private sector investment to support a stronger and more resilient economy. The Federal Government pledges to invest $22.7b into five key areas that include utilising natural resources and critical minerals. The initiative notably provides a 10% production tax credit to incentivise domestic critical minerals processing at an estimated value of $7b over the next 11 years. The Association of Mining...

Enlightening Wisdom Cap lamps have been around for almost as long as mining itself.  The need for hands free lighting is imperative for safe and efficient work underground but there are cap lamps and there are cap lamps. Cordless Cap Lamps Just like any tool of the trade, there are lamps that get the job done and lamps that excel and Wisdom cordless cap lamps are firmly planted in the latter category. If you have worked underground for any length of time and suffered the inconvenience of a corded cap lamp, then you will instantly appreciate the tangle-free freedom that Wisdom’s LED lamps provide.  This freedom comes with no loss in brightness or battery life and are, in fact, they...

South Australia opens Mining Act for review The Department for Energy and Mining has opened consultation for a review of South Australia’s Mining Act. The department is seeking feedback on ways it can improve the act to ensure the state continues to meet industry, community and environmental expectations as global demand for critical minerals increases. The Mining Act 1971 and its regulations were last updated in 2020. Ongoing community and industry feedback has identified further amendments that could keep the state’s regulatory environment for exploration and mining even more consistent, competitive, accountable and productive. The feedback focuses on a range...

Brightstar accelerates towards development at Sandstone Emerging gold producer Brightstar Resources (ASX: BTR) continues to deliver significant results from its drilling program at the Sandstone gold project. Recent drilling results, located within the 1.5Moz at 1.5g/t gold Sandstone Hub, confirm the continuity of high-grade gold mineralization at the Lord Nelson and Bull Oak deposits and indicate promising potential for future mining activities.. The drilling program at the site, located near Laverton in the Goldfields of WA, is ongoing and more promising results are anticipated. The Lord Nelson deposit holds a current mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 5.6Mt at 1.6g/t gold for 291koz od...

Gold Fields to acquire Gold Road for $3.7b South African gold giant Gold Fields is set to acquire one of Australia’s largest gold miners, Gold Road (ASX: GOR), in a takeover scheme valuing the company at $3.7b. Gold Road has convinced its Gruyere gold mine joint venture partner to increase its takeover bid, proposed in March for $3.3b, by nearly $400m. Gold Road has entered a scheme implementation deed that will allow Gold Fields to acquire 100% of shares in Gold Road by way of a scheme arrangement. Under the terms of the scheme Gold Road shareholders will receive a fixed cash...