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Queensland kicks off its critical minerals The Queensland Government has saved an Australian-first critical minerals facility in Townsville, with construction of the Queensland Resources Common User Facility starting up. Once operational in late 2026, mining companies will be able to test their mineral processing techniques at the facility and progress samples to market, accelerating commercial development opportunities. Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie says the Queensland Government is rescuing the project to drive regional jobs and supercharge the state’s critical minerals capability. “The Government recognises the important role this project...

Iron Bridge ramps up production Fortescue’s (ASX: FMG) Iron Bridge magnetite operation in the Pilbara region of WA is on track to safely and successfully deliver its FY25 shipping guidance. Following an optimisation assessment of the dry plant in the ore processing facilities, the company anticipates that shipments from the project will increase to 10 – 12mt in FY26 and achieve an annualised production rate of 16 – 20mt in the second half of FY27. The assessment of the dry plant focused on optimising the performance of the air classification circuit and downstream aerobelt conveyors at the site. Workstreams included in-house redesign of...

GEMCO back on track Marking a milestone in its recovery, South32’s (ASX: S32) Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) has resumed export sales. As one of the largest manganese ore producers in the world, the more than yearlong halt in operations caused significant disruptions to supply chains both domestically and internationally. Export sales are expected to increase from the site, located in the Northern Territory, over the next few months before returning to normalised rates in the new financial year. Mining pits at the site were flooded and infrastructure was extensively damaged, following Tropical Cyclone...

PLS powers up Pilgangoora A lithium powered battery energy storage system (BESS) has been energised at PLS’ (ASX: PLS) Pilgangoora operation in WA marking the completion of stage 1 of the company’s power strategy. The BESS further improves stability and reliability of power at the Pilgangoora operation and decreases power-related emissions intensity. PLS chief sustainability officer Sandra McInnes says the completion of stage 1 of the power strategy is a positive step forward. “Having reliable and stable power is key to our 24-hour remote mining operation,” she said. “The power station upgrade...

Rio Tinto looks to double bauxite production Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will begin early works and conduct final engineering studies to increase production capacity at its Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland, aiming for first output in 2029. The project — named Kangwinan at the request of Traditional Owners, the Wik Waya people — will involve building a new mine and expanding the existing port to almost double bauxite production from Rio Tinto’s Weipa Southern operations, where Amrun is located. Production from the Kangwinan project would replace output from the Andoom mine in Cape York...

Liberty Bell Bay halts operations Australia’s only commercial ferroalloy smelter, located in Tasmania, has moved into care and maintenance due to ongoing global iron ore supply issues and market fluctuations. The Liberty Bell Bay smelter is considered one of the largest ferroalloy produces globally, operating since, producing ferro manganese and silicomanganese, two alloys commonly used in steel production. The plant has an annual liquid steel capacity of over 6mt. Tasmania Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz says that the state government has been and will continue to maintain very close contact with...

JSW uses Slovakian solutions Alcoa (ASX: AAI) contractor JSW Drilling has looked to the mountains of Europe to develop exploration drilling operations in the Northern Jarrah Forest of WA that will have the lowest possible environmental impact. Drawing inspiration from specialised Slovakian-made forestry equipment, JSW have developed innovative drilling rigs for low-impact forest drilling. The company refined then customised a cab chassis specifically for Alcoa’s minimalist impact needs. The cab and custom-made drill control station are equipped with protective features designed in accordance with Australian forestry standards and Alcoa’s operational requirements, ensuring enhanced safety and risk mitigation in forested environments....

WA Premier prioritises ASEAN WA Premier Roger Cook is travelling to Indonesia and Singapore with the aim of reaffirming the state's important role in supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation of the ASEAN region. While in Indonesia, WA Premier Cook will participate in strategic engagements with the East Java Provincial Government, Indonesia Australia Business Council East Java Chapter and the Australian Consul-General in Surabaya. The WA Premier will spend two days in Surabaya before flying to Singapore. In Singapore, the Premier will participate in a roundtable discussion with government, businesses and investors to discuss energy transition and decarbonisation and related opportunities. WA Premier Cook...

Rio Tinto to invest $1.4b in lithium JV Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Corporación Nacional Del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) have signed binding agreements to form a joint venture to develop and operate a high-grade lithium project in the Salar de Maricunga in Chile. The agreement is the next step in a broader strategic partnership to strengthen both Rio Tinto’s and Chile’s positions as leading suppliers of materials for the global energy transition. Salar de Maricunga is a large lithium-containing resource base in the Atacama region with the potential for scalable, long-life and low-cost production. Its brine has one of the highest average grades of lithium content in the...

Lynas become world first outside of China Lynas Rare Earths (ASX: LYC) has commercially produced separated heavy rare earths following its successful production of dysprosium oxide at its Malaysia plant. This makes the company the only global producer of the products outside of China. Dysprosium is critical to the production of high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Production of the strategic mineral has been affected by China’s recent export restrictions. Lynas, based in Perth, WA, confirmed the successful production of its first batch of the mineral on Friday. The company currently sources the ore for its...

Pit to ship progress for Onslow Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has marked a new milestone at its Onslow iron project, in the west Pilbara region of WA, with more than 10mt of iron ore shipped out of the Port of Ashburton. The project is expected to increase production to more than 35mt annually over its 30-year life span. After achieving first ore on ship ahead of schedule in May last year, development across all aspects of the pit to ship supply chain has continued to increase. At the Port of Ashburton, the project’s marine and port infrastructure continues to be a crucial part of the supply chain. Innovative 20,000t shallow transhippers are being used to ferry the ore to larger...