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Production tax incentives through new bill The Federal Government will today introduce the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2024 to Parliament for renewable hydrogen and critical minerals. It will also expand the role and remit of Indigenous Business Australia. The legislation establishes two tax incentives: a Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive worth $2/kg of renewable hydrogen produced between 2027–2028...

Newmont to sell Musselwhite for $1.3b CANADA — Newmont (ASX: NEM) has agreed to sell its Musselwhite operation in Ontario, Canada, to Orla Mining for up to $1.3b (US$850m) as part of its push to divest from non-core assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Newmont will receive cash consideration of about $1.2b (US$810m) upon closing and up to about $61m (US$40m) in contingent payments. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 CY25, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. Upon closing the announced transactions, Newmont will have surpassed its...

Ken’s Bore mine powers up with solar array Mineral Resources (MinRes) (ASX: MIN) is constructing a 3.8MW solar array, featuring more than 6,600 solar panels, at the Ken’s Bore mine site at its Onslow Iron project. It is set to displace about 95TJ of natural gas per year and predicted to reduce emissions by about 4,990tpa of carbon dioxide. MinRes general manager operations and development energy Rowan Hill says the technology, together with a battery energy storage system, is planned to become operational by January 2025...

Alcoa joins first suppliers hub Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) has joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) First Suppliers Hub, a global repository of innovative suppliers providing materials needed to support the ambition of industrial decarbonisation in the world by 2050. First Suppliers Hub is a database of global final product and value chain suppliers created by the First Movers Coalition. Members of FMC set a target that at least 10% of their annual primary aluminium procurement volumes meet or exceed the...

Fortescue-Pride WA 3-year partnership Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has a three-year partnership with Pride WA to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community in WA. The partnership comprises PrideFEST, which is Pride WA’s flagship annual event and the State’s largest celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. It also supports Perth’s bid to bring the world’s largest LGBTQ+ sports and culture event, the Gay Games, to the State. Pride WA chief executive Dr Lauren Butterly says the organisation is excited to partner with the mining giant. “We know how important it is for our community to be able to celebrate PrideFEST with their colleagues,...

Ford Ranger Super Duty launches 2026 Ford is set to launch the new Ranger Super Duty mid-sized ute in 2026, promising to tow more, carry more and do more for the mining industry. There are a variety of vehicles on the market today but all have compromises. Some can tow 4.5t but are compromised on off-road capability – or they may have a low gross vehicle mass (GVM), meaning low payload. Others may be able to carry large loads but have limited towing. The highly-anticipated Ford Ranger Super...

Major Project to Wingellina nickel cobalt Following the Federal Government’s addition of nickel to the Critical Minerals List earlier this year, the Wingellina nickel cobalt project has been granted Major Project Status by the Federal Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic. Part of Nico Resources’ (ASX: NC1) Central Musgrave project in WA, Wingellina hosts one of the world’s largest undeveloped oxide-type nickel-cobalt reserves at the triple junction point between the Northern Territory, WA and the South Australian borders (Surveyor Generals Corner) about 450km southwest of Uluru. Nico Resources managing...

ESG, safety & diversity tops Komatsu goals Komatsu Australia’s second annual industry supplier forum addressed ESG, safety and generational diversity across the equipment business’ supply chain. Insights on the chain of responsibility with freight and logistics, as well as ongoing vigilance to ensure roads are safe when transporting heavy equipment, were “hotly discussed” at the forum, according to company in a recent statement. Komatsu Australia EGM for supply chain Russell Hodson comments on this. “Particularly of interest was how we all...

Rio takes full control of Jabiluka Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) announced its compulsory acquisition of all remaining Energy Resources Australia (ERA) (ASX: ERA) shares that it does not currently own. This follows a ruling by the Takeovers Panel that Rio would assume control over rehabilitation activities at Jabiluka. As a result of Rio Tinto taking up its pro rata entitlements in the entitlement offer and the level of participation by other ERA shareholders, Rio Tinto will hold over 98% of ERA’s shares. Rio intends to proceed with the compulsory acquisition at $0.002 per ERA share, being the same...

Rio’s culture of ‘everyday respect’ Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has published the findings of an independent, external progress review on its work to deliver sustained workplace cultural change across its global operations. Two years into a long-term cultural change program, the review found that progress is being made with promising signs of improved culture, innovation and performance. The progress review was conducted by former Australian sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, who undertook the Everyday Respect review of workplace culture that Rio Tinto publicly released in 2022. It found that Rio Tinto's response to the Everyday Respect Report is gaining momentum...

WA EPA prioritises critical minerals The WA Government has provided the independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with its first ever Statement of Expectation to help drive new housing and clean energy projects across the State. The document — created as part of recently legislated changes to the Environmental Protection Act 1986 — was a key recommendation of the Vogel-McFerran Review and is intended to help the WA EPA better understand the WA Government's priorities. The statement highlights several strategic priorities, which...