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Sumitomo sweeps up 30% stake in Winu project Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) have signed the final joint venture agreements to deliver the Winu copper-gold project in the Great Sandy Desert region of WA. Under the agreements, Rio Tinto will continue to develop and operate Winu and SMM will pay Rio Tinto up to $430.4m for a 30% equity share of the project. This includes $195m up front and up to $235.4m in deferred considerations contingent...

WA awards innovation in mining The WA Government has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) awards. The awards create opportunities to highlight mining and resource sector focused startups and emerging businesses. Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) is the primary sponsor of the awards with two awards given in its name ­­ the Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation Award and the Rio Tinto Growth Innovation Award. This year’s program recognises WA innovators across seven different awards with winners...

Alcoa supports men’s mental health Alcoa (ASX: AAI) is supporting the 2025 M8D8 program, organised by WA’s Youth Focus, for its third consecutive year. The campaign, focusing on the Peel and South-West regions, highlights the importance of conversations between friends and how they can make a significant difference to young men’s mental health. M8D8 encourages young men to talk about how they are feeling, regardless of whether it is good or bad. The nearly 50% increase in mental ill health related issues since 2007, highlighting the importance of awareness and support around this...

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...