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Indigenous company Indigital and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) have partnered on an initiative that combines traditional knowledge with digital innovation to protect and restore Country and strengthen culture, while advancing sustainable mining practices for the energy transition. Initially focused on communities in Far North Queensland, the Caring for Country program enables Indigenous communities to harness conservation technologies, such as AI-driven data analysis, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for mapping land features and Internet of Things environmental sensors to monitor soil and water health. The program also uses augmented reality and virtual reality to capture and preserve cultural knowledge and languages for future generations and, by integrating technology with traditional knowledge, helps create economic opportunities, including employment, entrepreneurship and new industries.…

Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) will receive $15m in grant funding from the WA Government’s Investment Attraction Fund for the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant Project at the company’s Pilgangoora lithium operation. A joint venture between Pilbara Minerals and Calix (ASX: CXL), aims to construct and operate a demonstration-scale plant featuring the world’s first industrial-scale electric spodumene calciner — decarbonising one of the most carbon-intensive processes in the battery materials supply chain. Delivering a more lithium-enriched mid-stream product has the potential for industry-wide benefits including lower carbon emissions through the reduced transport of waste, greater utilisation of the mineral resource and overall value creation. Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Dale Henderson says ‘he applauds the WA Government for backing innovation and…

One of the rarest elements in the world has been identified as an effective additive to new technologies required for the global energy transition, including solar perovskite cells and lithium metal batteries. Cesium is a scarce but extremely versatile commodity which has made its name in history for developing atomic clocks used as a baseline for global timekeeping. According to the owners of the fourth known pollucite deposit in existence, the potential opportunities for use of the element are growing as demand increases for renewable energy technology. Power Metals chief executive Haydn Daxter says cesium has already found its place in the medical, aerospace and oil and gas industries, but we are starting to see an emergence of new applications…

Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri underground mine in NSW, has successfully rehabilitated all disturbed land in its Northern Longwall mining area. 193ha brings the completion total to more than 95% of all areas that are available for rehabilitation. Narrabri Mine surface operations manager Ashley Howland says this achievement is an important milestone reflecting Narrabri’s commitment to environmental sustainability. “Progressive rehabilitation is an integral part of the life cycle of our mines as we transition land from its temporary use for mining to its post-mining use; we’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” he said. The successful rehabilitation of the Northern Longwall mining area is the result of many years of hard work by Narrabri’s Surface Civil team, in close collaboration with the Environmental…

The University of Newcastle will receive a $20.7m investment for the construction of two industrial scale spaces for technology innovation. The Future Industries Facility in Newcastle, NSW, will further establish the city as a hub for innovation, according to the Federal Government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says this project will boost education, employment and training opportunities for Newcastle and the surrounding region. The facility will enable the university to provide a problem-solving centre for community and small businesses at a purpose-built innovation facility within its Next Gen Precinct. It will accommodate up to 16 academic-industry partnerships for rapid technology co-development from research to market across the energy, resources and manufacturing sectors, and the net zero economy. Focusing on accelerating resource…

Primary school teachers in Mandurah, WA, are championing digital technologies in the classroom, thanks to a unique, year-long professional development program delivered by Scitech and supported by Alcoa (ASX: AAI). Seven local teachers graduated from the Alcoa Champions of Digital Technologies program at a special celebration with students and families this month. Scitech professional learning consultant Lucas Black says the program is seeing exciting results because it focuses on making digital technologies easy to integrate into all aspects of everyday learning. “Through coaching and professional learning sessions, teachers develop their skills and confidence in a teaching style that promotes an integrated curriculum and helps students become more independent learners,” he said. Teachers who have participated in the program reported an…

The Federal Government is investing a record $2b into the Australian-made aluminium industry in a move to secure more well-paid jobs for workers. Supercharging the local metals industry, a new Green Aluminium Production Credit will provide targeted support to Australian aluminium smelters switching to reliable, renewable electricity before 2036. Facilities will be eligible for support for every tonne of clean, reliable Australian-made aluminium they make over a period of 10 years. This credit will provide local aluminium smelters with confidence to invest, which the Federal Government says will pave the way for more secure Australian jobs in our world-class aluminium industry. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the Federal Government’s plan for a Future Made in Australia is very clear: the…

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has released its Q4 CY24 production results, with copper and bauxite operations driving consistent performance and profitable growth. Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm says the company is making strong progress in delivering organic growth from its major projects. “The Oyu Tolgoi underground copper mine in Mongolia continues to successfully ramp up, while the Simandou high-grade iron ore project in Guinea and our Western Range mine in the Pilbara are on schedule for first production this year,” he said. “Significant milestones were achieved at our Rincon project in Argentina during the quarter, with first lithium delivered and receipt of Board approval to expand the operation, demonstrating both our operational capabilities and ambition to grow in battery…

MLG Oz has executed key contracts with Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) (Northern Star) for the provision of haulage and site services across four of its operations in the Goldfields of WA. The four contracts are for existing work that MLG has already been performing for Northern Star across the Jundee, South Kalgoorlie, Kanowna Belle and Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations. The total combined value of the contracts has the potential to exceed $45mpa in revenue for MLG. Two of the contracts will run until June 30, 2027. The new agreements with Northern Star come soon after a recent run of contract signings for MLG, having announced in December up to $80m in new contracts with Evolution Mining and…

BHP Canada (ASX: BHP) and Lundin Mining have formed a joint venture (JV) company, Vicuña, following their acquisition of Filo Corp that finalised today. The 50:50 JV will hold the Filo del Sol (FDS) copper project and the Josemaria copper project located in the Vicuña district of Argentina and Chile. Prior to completion, Lundin Mining owned 100% of the Josemaria project. At completion, BHP Canada acquired a 50% interest in the Josemaria copper project from Lundin Mining. BHP Canada and Lundin Mining then contributed their respective 50% interests in Filo Corp and the Josemaria project into the JV. BHP chief executive Mike Henry says the company is pleased to be partnering with Lundin Mining in the Vicuña JV, an exciting…