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The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has asked the Federal Government to fund a three-year pilot program to embed AI into environmental regulatory decision-making.The pilot would trial AI support for human decision-making to improve the transparency and accuracy of assessment and approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act.Approval delays remain a key concern for the mining industry and regulatory bodies.According to the MCA, an increase in average decision times for resources projects of 60% from 2.3 years in 2019 to 3.8 years in 2025 is creating uncertainty, costing the Australian economy billions and eroding investor confidence.The MCA says AI tools, such as an interactive submissions coach for project proponents, a pre-submission quality check, geospatial data integration and tracking and a risk comparison capability, would reduce proponent errors in applications, eliminate duplication and support faster, better-informed decisions.The proposed pilot would aim to reduce inefficient manual document reviews, inconsistent application of conditions and repeated lengthy requests for information with the aim of enabling regulators to focus effort on more complex and high-risk approvals.The first solution is estimated to take about 12-20 weeks, and the total program development across the four solutions is estimated to take 6-12 months.The MCA says a smaller amount of ongoing capital investment will enable continuous improvement and system evolution.MCA chief executive Tania Constable says embedding AI in approvals can position Australia as a global leader in sustainable development and in responsible innovation using the minerals sector’s extensive use of AI in current operations and understanding of EPBC processes.“We know that EPBC delays and uncertainty can result in millions of dollars in lost project value, duplication of costs and missed investment opportunities which negatively affects communities and the Australian economy as well as project proponents,” she said.“This approach would help government deliver modern, efficient environmental regulation while meeting environmental objectives.”The use of AI-enabled tools in the mining industry, from machine learning, predictive analysis, autonomous haulage systems to safety monitoring and decision making, is becoming increasingly commonplace.The NSW Government has an AI solution to review building permit applications as part of the State significant development process, automate compliance checks and accelerate assessmentsIn the mining-intensive Canadian province of British Columbia, Mining Digital Services built an AI-powered searchable library that extracts and verifies permit conditions from documents, reducing reliance on institutional knowledge and enabling faster compliance reportingDeveloped by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the US, PermitAI is being developed to support environmental reviews by searching prior assessment and assist document drafting.Though these ongoing advancements are creating new opportunities, implementing AI is not without risk. According to S&P Global, primary concerns include data security and overreliance on empirical and modelled data alongside a series of ethical dilemmas.The growth of AI infrastructure also raises questions about electricity demand and water use, particularly as data centre investment accelerates.In 2024, data centres accounted for about 1.5% of global electricity consumption, according to the IEA.The IEA projects that data centre electricity consumption may grow by about 15% per year until 2030, more than four times faster than the growth of total electricity consumption from all other sectors.Global investment in data centres is accelerating and, though the IEA projects the US, China and Europe will remain the largest data centre regions, Australia is well-placed to become a global leader.This week, the Federal Government released a series of expectations for data centres and AI infrastructure developers as part of its commitment under the national AI plan, stressing that data centre expansion must happen on terms that benefit the community and supports national interest.The expectations are designed to ensure data centre developments put the needs of the Australian people first, ensuring communities benefit directly through jobs, investment in skills and innovation while supporting the clean energy transition and safeguarding long-term water security.Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen says it is no surprise Australia is an attractive investment destination for data centre technology.“Data centres have great potential to support our grid and expand new renewable investment, but it’s important we work together across jurisdictions and with industry to get the investment settings right so that we can continue to keep our system secure and energy prices low for all consumers,” he said.The Federal government’s five expectations are that the developments will:Prioritise national interest Support the energy transition Use water sustainably and responsibly Invest in local skills and jobs Strengthen research, innovation and local capabilityThe Federal Government will prioritise proposals most closely aligned with the overarching national expectations which will work alongside existing laws and help guide local decisions in each state and territory.

International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council negotiations have concluded without the adoption of an agreed upon deep sea mining code and without any mining approvals being granted.  The two-week negotiations exposed unresolved disagreements between participants on issues ranging from environmental safeguards and liability to inspection, compliance and benefit-sharing, with several governments raising major scientific, environmental and governance concerns.  ISA member states also supported the ISA’s legal and technical commission’s (LTC) inquiry and preliminary report into contractor non-compliance, which revealed that an ISA contractor may be in breach of its contract. The report also revealed the contractor may be in breach of its obligations to act in accordance with the multilateral framework under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) policy lead Emma Wilson says that if breaches are confirmed, contracts must be terminated. “Contractors cannot hold exploration contracts under the international system while simultaneously undermining it by seeking to mine unilaterally,” she said. “The ISA’s response to threats of unilateral mining is a critical test for the authority.” The inquiry also comes amid concerns surrounding attempts to pursue unilateral deep-sea mining, including questions about the involvement of Nauru Ocean Resources (NORI), a subsidiary of The Metals Company.  DSCC legal advisor Duncan Currie says the inquiry goes directly to the ISA’s core responsibility to the deep seabed as the common heritage of humankind. “If companies attempt to bypass the Authority by pursuing mining through a unilateral national process, it would constitute an unauthorised appropriation of the global commons under the UNCLOS.” A full LTC report is expected at the July meeting, when NORI’s contract is due for extension. The DSCC continues to call on governments to adopt a moratorium on deep sea mining. 

Long gone are the days of sub dollar prices at the bowser.The global oil market is experiencing unprecedented turmoil as the war in the Middle East creates the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).The crisis has led to a near halt in tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint between Oman and Iran. As crude and oil product flows plunge from about 20mb/d before the war to a trickle at present, Gulf countries have cut total oil production by at least 10mb/d, according to IEA data.With limited options to bypass the chokepoint, the strain is being felt by producers and consumers worldwide.Benchmark crude oil prices have surged about 40% since the start of the conflict, according to Trading Economics.Damage to Gulf state energy infrastructure is also having a major effect on prices.On March 19, Israel targeted Iranian facilities linked to South Pars, the world’s largest natural gas field.In response, Iran struck a major LNG site in Qatar, causing crude prices to surge 8% overnight with prices nearly hitting US$120 a barrel.In the absence of a rapid resumption of shipping flows and unrestricted refining capacity, the IEA anticipates increasing supply losses.CommBank commodities and sustainable economics head Vivek Dhar says while rising crude prices have captured global attention, refined fuel is the bigger concern for economies.“The product everyone is worried about is diesel, and for good reason,” Mr Dhar said.Diesel is used extensively in trucking, farming and mining in Australia.“The concern is that we roughly have 30 days of stockpiles,” Mr Dhar said.As petrol and diesel prices skyrocket, governments globally are scrambling to stave off panic buying and price gouging as they address fuel shortages.According to the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), petrol and diesel prices varied significantly across Australia but, on average, have increased by about 50 cents since the beginning of March.Yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of the national cabinet and established a national fuel supply taskforce to lead the country’s response to the ongoing crisis.“I want to assure Australians at this time that Australia is well prepared… I want us to be overprepared,” Prime Minister Albanese said.Leaders agreed that while Australia is well prepared, the longer the conflict in the Middle East goes on, the more significant the impact will be for global supply chains, fuel prices and the wider economy.The Federal Government has appointed former Australian Energy Regulator chief executive Anthea Harris as the taskforce coordinator to drive collaboration across governments and sectors.As part of Ms Harris’ role, she will provide regular updates on fuel supply outlook and distribution.The Federal Government confirmed there are some shortages in specific areas due to panic buying.“There is not less fuel in Australia today than there was three weeks ago,” prime Minister Albanese said.“There is not less supply. This is an issue… of increased demand.”Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago the Federal Government has released up to 20% of its diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages and temporarily amended national fuel standards to keep more Australian-made fuels onshore.IEA member countries have also agreed to release an unprecedented 400m barrels of oil from their emergency reserves to the market to mitigate the negative impact on economies from the supply disruptions.Though the emergency stock release provides a welcomed buffer for the global energy market, it remains a stop-gap measure if the conflict in the Middle East is not resolved.

Meeka Metals (ASX: MEK) has commenced installation of an ore sorting facility at its Murchison gold project in WA, targeting increased processing capacity and higher gold production. The upgrade is expected to lift mill capacity by 200ktpa to 800kpta, resulting in a corresponding boost in gold production.  Ore sorting will be applied initially to underground material from the Andy Well deposit, separating higher-grade ore for immediate processing while lower-grade material is stockpiled for later treatment. Test work at Steinert’s facility in Bibra Lake found about 85% of contained gold could be sorted into about 50% of the rock mass, effectively doubling the head grade of Andy Well ore entering the mill. Meeka Metals managing director Tim Davidson says the upgrade represents a low-cost solution to increase production. “We expect this high-return, quick-payback investment to be operational in the September 2026 quarter providing additional processing capacity for ore from our open pits and our second underground mine at Turnberry, commencing in 2026,” he said. Civil works for the $6m upgrade have commenced, with equipment delivery and installation due to begin in the June 2026 quarter. According to the company, the installation offers a faster and lower-cost alternative to expanding the existing processing plant, which would require significantly higher capital investment and longer development timelines. The upgrade is expected to reduce processing costs per ounce, lower tailings volumes and reduce wear on plant equipment by removing waste material before milling. Meeka Metals said further test work is underway to assess the application of ore sorting across other deposits within the Murchison project.  

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has delivered first ore on ship from its Lamb Creek iron ore project in WA’s Pilbara region. The milestone was reached three months after ground was broken at the site in December 2025. CSI Mining Services — a wholly owned subsidiary of MinRes has now commenced mining, processing and haulage at the site. Lamb Creek will be an open pit mine with a capacity of 7.5mtpa, strategically located just 50km from MinRes’ Iron Valley operation. Ore from both sites will be blended and hauled to Utah Point for export through the Port of Port Hedland. MinRes executive general manager iron ore and asset management group Joe Brown says the milestone highlights the company’s ability to rapidly develop and bring assets into production. “Safely achieving first ore on ship in such a short time since breaking ground is a remarkable feat and demonstrates MinRes’ significant in-house capability to bring projects to life quickly,” he said. Development of Lamb Creek also involves the planned wind-down of the current Wonmunna iron ore operation, with all Wonmunna-based staff set to transfer to Lamb Creek and no impact to jobs anticipated. MinRes acquired Wonmunna from the Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation in FY21 as an undeveloped project and has since mined nine pits and exported more than 26mt of iron ore from the operation.  The Pilbara Hub has production guidance of 9-10mtpa for FY26. 

Metso has reported increased demand in its Life Cycle Services (LCS) offering for pumps as mining operators shift towards long-term service-based equipment models. Following the model’s introduction in 2025, the company has secured several small- and mid-sized multiyear contracts across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas.  In February, Metso also signed two five-year agreements covering the servicing of more than 100 slurry pumps for mining customers.  The aggregate value of the combined orders has not been?disclosed. LCS for pumps is Metso’s performance-based service model designed to improve equipment availability, extend component wear life and reduce total cost of ownership through long-term service agreements. Metso pump services vice president Roshan Kadanthode says the model reflects a broader shift in the mining sector away from transactional equipment purchases and towards lifecycle-focused service partnerships.   “Our customers want a partner who supports them throughout?the full lifecycle of their pumps,” he said.  “With LCS, we bring a?performance-based approach aligned with their operational and financial?targets, helping customers reduce downtime, improve efficiency, enhance safety, and secure reliable pumping performance?year-round.”? The company reports that the service model has measurable operational improvements include a 5-10% increase in pump availability and 15-25% extension in component wear life. Standardised maintenance practices and improved planning have also been associated with a 20-30% reduction in unplanned pump-related downtime.  Furthermore, improvements in energy and water efficiency were reported between 5-10%, alongside enhanced safety outcomes linked to a reduction in maintenance interventions and standardised servicing procedures.  Metso says its global service network — covering equipment delivery, repair, testing and recycling — underpins the rollout of the lifecycle service model across key mining regions. 

Fortescue has removed second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) from its operations, in a move to reduce risks to native wildlife, including threatened species such as the Northern Quoll.  The change was implemented in August 2025 with Fortescue transitioning to alternative rodent control methods including first generation rodenticides, which break down more quickly in the environment. Rodent management remains a requirement at mining operations to protect infrastructure and the health and safety of personnel.  SGARs are known to persist in the environment and can accumulate in animals that consume poisoned rodents, increasing the risk of secondary poisoning in predators and scavengers.  Fortescue approvals, communities and services director Rosli Wheelock said the decision was made following internal assessment of environmental risks.  “We operate in some of Australia’s most important natural habitats, and we have a responsibility to look after them,” he said. “When we saw these products could put native wildlife at risk, we made the decision to stop using them and have moved to safer alternatives.” Recent studies have identified anticoagulant rodenticides in a range of Australian wildlife species, raising broader concerns about their environmental impact. Edith Cowan University Associate Professor Robert Davis says second-generation rodenticides are highly persistent and can accumulate through the food chain. “Reducing their use where practical can help lower the risk of secondary poisoning for native predators and scavengers,” he said. Fortescue says it will continue to monitor and review rodent management practices as part of its broader environmental management program. 

Core Lithium (ASX: CXO) will bring its Finniss lithium operation back into production after securing restart funding.The miner will move immediately into mobilisation, early works and development activities to position Finniss for first concentrate production in the September quarter of 2026.Core Lithium managing director Paul Brown says all major approvals are in place and there is a proven processing plant ready for restart.“Near-term ore feed will be sourced from the Grants open pit, providing a low-risk and rapid pathway to recommencement of concentrate production,” he said.“BP33 underground development will occur in parallel, supporting a transition to long-life, high-margin underground operations.“The company remains focused on safe, disciplined execution as it advances a staged restart program through 2026 and 2027 with first spodumene concentrate production targeted for the September quarter 2026.“First ore from Grants is targeted within one month of contractor mobilisation, with BP33 first ore expected in mid-CY27 and ramp-up to nameplate production of 1.2mtpa in mid-2028.“Employment levels at Finniss are expected to scale across construction and operations, supporting a material number of jobs over the project lifecycle.”The restart will be funded through a package comprising $99m (US$70m) in convertible notes from Glencore and InfraVia, a $71m (US$50m) senior secured loan from Nebari, and a fully committed $120m equity raising.Glencore lithium head Robin Francois comments on the development.“We share the government’s view that this operation is vital to the regions’ critical minerals strategy and is a key asset for achieving the Northern Territory Government’s ambition of a $40b economy by 2030,” he said.“This is another example of how Glencore’s unique marketing business can support Australian mining companies while we continue to expand as a leading supplier of critical minerals.”Together with existing cash and recent sale proceeds, the package is expected to fully fund construction and restart and provide liquidity during ramp-up as Finniss transitions toward steady-state operations.

Australian scientists have made a significant leap forward in energy storage technology with the world’s first proof-of-concept quantum battery.Led by CSIRO and collaborators from RMIT University and the University of Melbourne, researchers developed a new quantum battery architecture that enables, for the first time, a complete quantum battery charge-discharge cycle.The results provide the first experimental demonstration of superextensive light-to-charge conversion in steady-state, highlighting the feasibility of leveraging strong light–matter coupling for enhanced energy harvesting under low-light conditions.Though fully functioning quantum batteries don’t yet exist, researchers are confident they could transform how society uses and stores energy in the future.Quantum batteries leverage the unique properties of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, whereas today’s batteries largely rely on chemical reactions, CSIRO says.CSIRO quantum science and technologies science leader Dr James Quach says the team’s findings confirm a fundamental quantum effect that's completely counterintuitive — quantum batteries charge faster as they get larger."The research validates the exciting potential of quantum batteries for unprecedented efficient and rapid energy storage,” he said.“My ultimate ambition is a future where we can charge electric cars much faster than fuel petrol cars, or charge devices over long distances wirelessly.”Until now, the study of quantum batteries has been predominantly a theoretical endeavour with scarce experimental verification.As the first experimental demonstration of a full operational cycle of a quantum battery, the CSIRO researchers’ device represents a decisive step forward in the development of quantum battery technologies.The battery the researchers engineered has a multi-layered organic microcavity and is wirelessly charged with a laser. The protypes charging behaviour was confirmed by using advanced spectroscopy techniques which showed it retained stored energy for six orders of magnitude longer than it took to charge.This research proves key predictions about these revolutionary devices and offers a glimpse into a possible future powered by quantum energy storage."Our proof-of-concept device showcases rapid, scalable charging and energy storage at room temperature, laying the groundwork for next-gen energy solutions," Dr Quach said."While there's still much work to be done in quantum battery research, we've made an important move towards realising the possibilities.“The next step for quantum batteries right now is extending their energy storage time. If we can overcome that hurdle, we’d be that bit closer to commercially viable quantum batteries."

Continuing fuel supply constraints tied to the war in Iran are impacting Australia’s exploration and mining sector, with smaller operators now halting operations.Blue Cap Mining has halted gold mining operations and sent workers home in WA due to a lack of guaranteed fuel supply, according to the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC).According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, mining accounted for 35% of diesel used in Australia during FY24.AMEC says that although reports from across the country indicate that fuel continues to enter Australia, disruptions within the domestic supply chain are preventing it from reaching the customers who need it most.“We keep being told there is enough fuel supplies to meet demand, it just needs to get to the right places,” AMEC chief executive Warren Pearce said.“Well, right now, that simply isn’t happening.“Case in point is Blue Cap Mining, who this week chose to halt gold mining operations and send workers home in WA, due to the lack of guaranteed fuel supply.“It’s the small mining operations and mining services companies, that like farmers, rely on fuel provision from independent fuel companies, that are bearing the brunt of fuel shortages.”The Australian Mining Review has reached out to Blue Cap Mining for comment.On March 3, Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen moved to reassure the public, saying Australia was “currently in excess of the minimum stock obligations” for petrol, diesel and jet fuel.At the time, Minister Bowen said Australia had 36 days’ worth of petrol, 34 days’ worth of diesel and 32 days’ worth of jet fuel on hand at present.The latest weekly figures — for stocks held on March 10 and released in the first weekly update on March 14 — showed 37 days of petrol, 30 days of diesel and 29 days of jet fuel at a normal rate of consumption.Following this, the Federal Government temporarily relaxed Australia’s fuel quality standards, allowing higher-sulfur petrol to be supplied for 60 days to ease regional shortages.Minister Bowen said the move would add about 100 million litres a month of new domestic petrol supply that would otherwise have been exported to be blended.There have been reports that major fuel wholesalers have been rationing supply to independent operators servicing regional and remote areas.AMEC says it is the major fuel wholesalers, such as BP, Chevron, Mobil and Viva Energy, who control the flow of fuel to independent distributors and ensure established supply chains remain functional.“From what our members are telling us, there is a serious disconnect between these wholesalers and the independent distributors,” Mr Pearce said.“Independent operators know where the fuel needs to go, but they’ve been rationed down by the wholesalers.“We need to see the fuel wholesalers re-engage with independent operators and make sure the system that has worked flawlessly year on year for us, continues to work.”The Federal Government temporarily released up to 20% of the baseline Minimum Stockholding Obligation, making up to 762 million litres of petrol and diesel available to help ease fuel shortages in regional Australia.Fuel companies will only be allowed to relax their storage obligations if they are taking steps to prioritise supply to regional customers, allocate reasonable additional supply to bulk customers and are providing volumes needed to help meet usual demand — not to customers seeking to profiteer from price spikes, panic purchasing or stockpiling.