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Mining begins at Reward underground Vertex Minerals (ASX: VTX) has commenced underground production at its Reward gold mine in NSW following a successful first blast over the weekend. The milestone, targeting the Lady Belmore reef, keeps the company on track to commence processing of high-grade stope ore at the gravity processing plant until full scale operations begin at Reward. The startup mine schedule, as previously announced, includes mining 2,075t at 17.8g/t of gold from a developed airleg stop block with the planned stope width the same as the interpretation of the mineralisation. Reward’s underground mining operation has a current...

Joint venture formed for LieNA tech Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) and Livium (ASX: LIT) have established a joint venture (JV) for the commercialisation of the LieNA lithium processing technology. The technology has the potential to enhance extraction yields by 50% over current market performance by utilising recovery form fine and low-grade spodumene that is usually discarded as waste streams. Under the terms of the JV, LieNA, both companies will have a 50% stake in the ownership and commercialisation of the LieNA technology following successful pilot plant results. Livium chief executive and managing director Simon...

QRC inspires students to join resources industry The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has launched a new campaign, Shape Our Future, to increase interest in resource industry careers. The campaign aims to inspire Year 12 students and their families by highlighting how early-career professionals are contributing innovation, sustainability and real-world problem solving across the sector. Showcasing real stories, the roles profiled in the campaign include and earth science intern, a critical minerals researcher, a land access manager, a maintenance supervisor...

Innovators break records for WAIOTY 2025 The 2025 WA Innovators of the Year (WAIOTY) Awards program has seen a record number of applications. A total of 91 applications were received across five of the program's categories, representing a broad range of industries and ideas and showcasing the strength and diversity of the local innovation ecosystem. The WAIOTY program, first launched in 2006, continues to support WA startups, entrepreneurs and SMEs by profiling their work, building credibility and connecting them to commercialisation, funding and training opportunities. A total of 24 finalists have been selected by independent evaluation panels including six finalists each from the Rio...

Fortescue receives landmark $3b loan Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has secured a syndicated loan facility of $3b (RMB$14.2b) to support its ambitious decarbonisation agenda. The loan facility comes from leading Chinese, Australian and international lenders. This is the first RMB syndicated term loan of its kind by an Australian corporate — a landmark transaction that Fortescue says reflects the depth of its long-standing relationships in China. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and Fortescue’s decarbonisation efforts, including partnerships with Chinese suppliers and technology leaders. Fortescue executive chairman Dr Andrew Forrest says this isn’t just a financial transaction...

IGO director resigns IGO’s (ASX: IGO) Justin Osborne has resigned from his role as non-executive director, citing personal commitments. The IGO board is undergoing a measured renewal and succession process to provide better oversight and governance in the context of IGO’s refreshed strategy and its purpose to supply the commodities essential for a clean energy future. Since joining the board in 2022, Mr Osborne has contributed to the strategic oversight of the company, including as chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee. Mr Osborne has a strong background in exploration and has provided valuable insights to the company’s recent review of its exploration business model. The IGO board...

PLS backs 14 community projects PLS (ASX: PLS) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Community Grants Program, supporting grassroots community programs and projects making a meaningful impact across the Pilbara region of WA. This year, 14 community projects have shared in more than $120,000 of funding to help improve access to education programs, strengthen community resilience and support the region’s transition to renewable energy. 2025 grant recipients: Desert Wave Records Port Hedland MMA Association Saving Animals from Euthanasia Port Hedland Motorcycle Club Hedland Water Polo Association Hedland Men’s Shed Graham...

Speewah receives $2m from Federal Government Tivan (ASX: TVN) has received $2m from the Federal Government for the Speewah fluorite project under its International Partnerships in Critical Minerals (IPCM) program. This marks the second payment instalment under the grant. Tivan was awarded a $7.4m cash grant to part fund completion of feasibility and definitive feasibility studies for the project. In addition, a deed of novation has been executed with the Federal Government to novate the IPCM grant agreement from Tivan to Fluorite SPV, the project owner and vehicle for the incorporated joint venture between Tivan, Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Organization for Metals...

Infinity confirms high-grade gold assays Infinity Mining (ASX: IMI) has returned assay results from the Sir Walter Scott gold prospect in NSW with a maximum of 68.6g/t gold. Nine of the twelve gold assays returned over 1g/t gold. The new gold assays are consistent with historical anomalous rock chip gold assays collected by Little River Goldfields and Key Resources in the 1980s. Highlights from the new rock chip program include: 6 g/t gold — Laminated quartz vein with minor sulphides, from dump next to small open cut. 3 g/t gold — As above. 19 g/t gold — Massive quartz with traces of sulphides, from...

Rapid Critical Metals drilling approved Rapid Critical Metals (ASX: RCM) has been granted for a diamond drilling program at the company’s flagship Webbs silver project in northern NSW. The project was recently acquired as part of Rapid’s strategic consolidation of silver assets in the prolific New England Fold Belt. The initial drill campaign will comprise diamond holes for approximately 2000m, designed to upgrade the existing resource to 2025 JORC compliance, improve geological confidence in current resource categories, test highly prospective southern extensions and investigate a potential parallel lode to the west. These targets were refined following the completion...

Gold companies sweep up at Diggers & Dealers Awards The current record-breaking gold market was highlighted yesterday at the 34th Diggers & Dealers Awards with gold miners taking home the majority of awards. At the Diggers & Dealers gala dinner, De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) took home the Dealer of the Year Award for its $5b sale of its Hemi gold project in the Pilbara, WA, to Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) earlier this year. Ramelius Resources (ASX: RMS) was given the Digger of the Year Award for its consistent delivery on promised production and cost guidance targets consecutively for the last five years....