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Victoria has released its new Critical Minerals Roadmap in an effort to bring a new focus to help develop the state’s minerals resources. Victoria has many of the critical minerals needed to produce wind turbines, rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles, including zircon, titanium, rare earth elements and antimony. As part of the roadmap, the Victorian Critical Minerals Coordination Office will be established within Resources Victoria to help to reduce project approval timelines. Critical Minerals Priority Development Zones will also be defined, so that industry and communities can better understand areas with the highest likelihood of developing successful critical minerals operations. Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Victoria executive director James Sorahan says the Critical Minerals Roadmap puts the state firmly on…

Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has signed off the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for both projects. There have been major milestones for VHM’s Goschen rare earth and mineral sands project (ASX: VHM) and WIM Resources’ Avonbank mineral sands project with the Victorian Government giving the green light, subject to conditions. Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has signed off the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for both projects, with further approval still required for a mining licence and a mine work plan which will involve consultation with the community. The projects also require Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 approval from the Federal Government. “It’s crucial that we balance development with the environment and these approvals put in place safeguards to…

Four new Cat R2900 XE Diesel-Electric Underground Loaders have joined Alkane Resources’ (ASX: ALK) fleet. The miner started digging for gold in the heart of NSW in 2014 and is now producing more than 57,000ozpa of the precious metal at its Tomingley Gold Operations. When the underground fleet including four Cat R2900G underground loaders were ready to be replaced, Alkane Resources had a choice – rebuild the existing machines or replace them with new technology. Alkane Resources general manager of operations Jason Hughes turned to WesTrac to identify the best underground loader to suit their operations. The team was recommended the Cat R2900 XE Diesel-Electric Underground Loader – a hard-working machine capable of enhancing productivity by 20%, improved breakout force…

A small-scale fluidised bed flotation device with the potential to predict industrial-scale performance is entering the final stages of testing with the delivery of 7 prototypes to industry. Developed by researchers at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), the JKHFmini builds on coarse particle flotation technology where a fluidised bed is used to recover coarse particles during flotation. Coarse particle flotation, with fluidised bed flotation technology, has the potential to significantly reduce the immense energy requirements associated with comminution and grinding, which currently make up 1% of global emissions, and also support a reduction in mine waste. SMI’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) lead researcher Lizette Verster says coarse particle flotation reduces energy use because these coarser…

The first gold bars under Greatland Gold ownership were poured at Telfer, following the company’s acquisition of Telfer and Havieron from Newmont (ASX: NEM) on December 4, 2024. Prior to completion, processing operations were utilising only one of the two nominal 10mtpa processing trains, preserving Telfer ore and stockpiles for Greatland to process after completion.  Shortly following completion of the acquisition, Greatland resumed dual-train processing operations. An estimated 30.5mt to 34.5mt of stockpiles were acquired by Greatland on completion.  The stockpiles include an estimated 11.5mt of high-grade run-of-mine grade ore stockpiles, plus a further estimated 19.0 to 23.0mt of low-grade stockpiles. Mining is continuing in the West Dome open pit and Main Dome underground. Greatland Gold managing director Shaun Day says the…

Large-scale production of green iron in WA could potentially offset nearly every tonne of carbon dioxide currently produced in Australia while generating $74b in economic value, according to the newly released report from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME). The Realising WA’s Green Iron Potential report examines WA’s potential to play a leading role in decarbonising the emissions-intensive steelmaking process. WA CME chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson says WA boasts a long history as the world’s largest iron ore exporter and has a unique opportunity to advance down the value chain if the State can begin refining green iron. “Steelmaking accounts for between 6-9% of global emissions, with ironmaking alone generating up to 90% of that carbon dioxide,” she…

PAPUA NEW GUINEA — As a member of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA) Oversight Committee, Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) welcomed the release of the PMLIA report as a critical step forward in building understanding of the long-term legacy impacts of the former mine in Bougainville. The independent report assesses the environmental impacts and directly connected social and human rights impacts caused by the Panguna mine since Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) ceased operations in 1989. Conducted by independent consultants Tetra Tech Coffey over the past two years, the entire PMLIA process was overseen by the Oversight Committee, which is made up of representatives from the Papua New Guinea Government, Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), landowner and community representatives, BCL, Rio…

Thiess is making good in the communities it operates in, with recent milestones in two major community initiatives. As part of the 2024 16 Days of Activism against Gendered Violence campaign, Thiess’ information and communications technology (ICT) and health teams collaborated to donate 14 unused mobile phones to a Brisbane hospital. Thiess health and wellbeing advisor Leigh Ruch will donate the phones to Logan Hospital social work department. Currently, Ms Ruch works at the hospital part-time, as a nurse and midwife. “I am so pleased that this simple and practical donation, for old phones that would have been previously discarded and no longer used by Thiess, will now support the many vulnerable communities and people across Australia,” Ms Ruch said.…

Whitehaven Coal recently hosted members of the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service (TAMS) Board and executive team on visits to its Rocglen rehabilitation site and Vickery operational site in NSW, further strengthening the partnership with the regional health organisation. TAMS is a leading healthcare provider in the Tamworth region, helping to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people via comprehensive and culturally sensitive services. The visits followed a presentation by Whitehaven’s Aboriginal community relations team to the TAMS Board, during which the Board expressed an interest in learning more about mining operations and the rehabilitation processes firsthand. The aim was to provide insight into Whitehaven’s commitment to sustainable mining practices and the rehabilitation of mined land. TAMS chairperson Cath Trindall…

Tivan (ASX: TVN) has been awarded a $7.4m cash grant for the Speewah fluorite project, located in the Kimberley region of WA, under the Federal Government’s International Partnerships in Critical Minerals (“IPCM”) program.  The IPCM program supports early to mid-stage critical minerals projects that contribute to building end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners in the critical minerals sector.   Eligibility criteria include applicants having plans to produce critical minerals listed in Australia’s Critical Minerals List, projects which are in the early to mid-stages of development including those activities undertaken post-exploration and before final investment decision and formal support from an international project partner.  Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King says these new grants will help Australian critical minerals and rare earth projects…

Metso is launching a next-generation Anode Furnace for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, improving impurity removal capabilities and bringing flexibility in treating secondary materials.   The upgraded Anode Furnace features the latest design, advances in process safety, and ease of maintenance. It also presents two exciting methods for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.  Metso anode casting and anode furnace technologies senior sales manager Miikka Marjakoski says this makes the new Anode Furnace unique.   “The process is fully prepared to utilise direct hydrogen reduction in the H2-ready variant,” he said.  “However, if the customer has no opportunity to switch to hydrogen use at present, Metso can also provide the technology to significantly increase the current gaseous hydrocarbon reductant efficiency with a steam-gas reduction system.  …