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Australia’s largest robotics and automation headquarters has been officially opened by the WA Government just north of Perth in Neerabup, promising to drive advancements in zero-emissions technologies. The Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) allows local, national and global companies to test, research and develop across autonomous solutions, remote operations and robotics without interrupting day-to-day operations. WA Premier Roger Cook says the State is leading the nation in the development of robot and automation solutions. “Our Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct will play a key role in the integration of robotics to increase efficiency and safety within key industries in WA, including mining,” he said. “It’s exciting to be opening this world-class innovation hub right here in Perth, strengthening WA’s…

The WA Government is piloting a long-duration vanadium flow battery in Kununurra in northwest WA which will allow Horizon Power to examine whether the technology can be installed in microgrids and off-grid power systems. The battery, supplied by VSUN Energy, a subsidiary of Australian Vanadium (ASX: AVL), will collaborate with Horizon Power on integrating this energy storage into its network as well as system support testing over the next 12 months. WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby says “this pilot won’t just mean there is more clean, reliable, and affordable power for regional WA – it means Horizon Power can better understand how batteries can support microgrids and other off-grid power systems throughout the State”. Battery storage already plays a critical…

VIETNAM — EQ Resources (EQR) (ASX: EQR) is set to acquire the Tungsten Metals Group (TMG), including Asia Tungsten Products, giving EQR 100% ownership of the largest ferrotungsten plant outside China. The facility is in V?nh B?o, Haiphong Province, Vietnam, and was built in 2011. In recent years the facility has mainly operated as a toll treatment facility for third-party customers, converting primary and secondary tungsten raw materials into high-quality ferrotungsten. The facility boasts a potential production capacity of 4,000tpa. Due to its scale and favourable cost structure, it is regarded as one of the most competitive in the industry. Tungsten is recognised by Australia as a critical mineral and by the EU and U.S. as a critical and strategic…

Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) has increased its mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Bluebird – South Junction mining complex in WA by 37%. The MRE now stands at 15mt at 2.9g/t of gold for 1.4moz, with a 65% increase in measured and indicated resources now 8.7mt at 2.9g/t of gold for 814koz. Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell comments on the update. “With 1.4Moz in resource and growing Bluebird-South Junction has now confirmed its status as the key growth driver in Westgold’s Murchison business,” he said. “In under 18 months, the team has moved a simple uphole bench mine producing at 40kt a month, towards a 110kt a month mine with a highly efficient transverse primary/secondary mining sequence.…

PAPUA NEW GUINEA — Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), Bougainville Copper and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a Roundtable to address the findings of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA). The independent PMLIA is based on two years of data collection overseen by an oversight committee that includes representatives from local communities, the Papua New Guinea Government and ABG officials. Engineering firm Tetra Tech Coffey, which conducted the study and reported to an independent secretariat, presented the findings to Panguna communities in October 2024. The PMLIA Report is expected to be published later this month. Under the MoU, the roundtable parties will work together, consult with impacted communities and establish a…

The Weir Group, a global mining technology leader, has been awarded contracts to supply its market-leading WARMAN® slurry pumps and CAVEX® hydrocyclones to Teck’s Highland Valley Copper (HVC) Mine Life Extension (MLE) project in Canada. Teck’s Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension Project aims to extend the mine’s operational life by enhancing existing site infrastructure, addressing the growing demand for copper driven by the transition to a low-carbon future. The project is expected to yield approximately 1.95mt of additional copper over its lifespan. A cornerstone of this project is the WARMAN® MCR® 760 pump, which will be the largest mill circuit pump in North America. This addition complements Weir’s existing and planned installations of equivalent-sized pumps in South America and…

Macmahon Holdings (ASX: MAH) has been awarded a two-year contract extension by Vault Minerals (ASX: VAU) at the Daisy Milano gold mine within its Mount Monger, WA, operation. Macmahon has been providing underground mining services at Daisy Milano since acquiring the contract earlier this year, including mine development, production charging and load and haul services. The two-year contract extension to October 2026 is expected to add approximately $90m of revenue towards Macmahon’s secured orderbook and will utilise existing fleet as required for the project. Macmahon chief executive and managing director Michael Finnegan comments on the extension. “We are delighted to continue working with the team at Daisy Milano and building on our valued relationship with Vault Minerals,” he said. “We…

Greatland Gold and Newmont (ASX: NEM) are targeting early December for completion of Greatland’s 100% acquisition of the Telfer mine and the remaining 70% of its neighbour, Havieron. Significant progress has been made towards satisfaction of several conditions precedent to the completion of the acquisition. Remediation of TSF8 has been completed by Newmont and confirmed by the Telfer engineer of record. Newmont has achieved the required 14 days of consecutive processing at Telfer with processing operations running to plan. Newmont has been granted foreign investment approval by the Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers for the issuance of Greatland shares to Newmont. Greatland has also received its required FIRB approval. Consent has been received from the Pilbara Ports Authority to the transfer…

BHP is investing $7.8m into Curtin University’s environmental DNA (eDNA) research program which supports global conservation efforts. The eDNA for Global Environment Studies (eDGES) program includes projects monitoring the endangered Pilbara olive python in WA, protecting native birds in Chile’s high-altitude wetlands, detecting elusive underground invertebrates and developing new tests to identify invasive marine species. BHP head of biodiversity Dr Tim Cooper says the company is proud to support innovative projects like eDGES. “The eDGES program has the potential to create a new generation of biodiversity conservation tools to help industry and government make informed decisions,” he said. “The program is funded by our Social Investment Framework under the ‘Environment’ stream – helping to fill knowledge gaps for better biodiversity…

The University of Western Australia (UWA), alongside Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King, officially launched the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) in Critical Resources for the Future, aiming to deliver the skills and disruptive thinking required to advance the critical minerals sector. The innovative new research centre will bring together some of Australia’s leading universities, resource industry stakeholders and government institutions to drive research into critical minerals and sustainable mining. Minister King says the ARC ITTC brings together UWA, the University of Adelaide, the University of Queensland and the Australian National University with industry partners. “Our national science institutions — Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO, along with the geological surveys of WA, South Australia and Queensland, and The Minerals Research…

Thirteen inspirational individuals and three trailblazing companies have been selected as finalists for the 2025 Women in Resources Awards (WIRA). The annual awards ceremony — now in its 16th year — showcases the champions breaking the mould and leading the charge for change in the State’s resources sector. Organised by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME), WIRA is a celebration of some of the best and brightest women in industry. WA CME chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said the six award categories recognised both professional excellence and the people, programs and initiatives driving greater female participation in mining. “Women are integral to WA’s resources sector and their significant contributions are underscored by the calibre of finalists for…