Category: Politics & Regulation

Federal Government’s AI plan ‘abandons’ safety guardrails

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Federal Government’s AI plan ‘abandons’ safety guardrails

The release of generative AI chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022 marked a turning point in technology as a previously fictional concept became readily available to the public.Though AI as it stands is a far cry from Skynet — The Terminator’s highly-advanced AI hellbent on launching a nuclear attack on humanity — it may still be wise for society to proceed with caution.

Kurt Hourigan, 37, died and Connor Smith, 21, was critically injured when the section of mine they were working in collapsed 500m underground.

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Mining companies charged over fatal rockfall

WorkSafe Victoria has charged the operator of Ballarat gold mine and a mining services company after a worker died and another suffered life-threatening injuries in March 2024.

Industry labels long-awaited environmental law overhaul as ‘inferior and disappointing’

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Industry labels long-awaited environmental law overhaul as ‘inferior and disappointing’

The Federal Government has struck a deal with the Greens to pass the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, delivering on a five-year mission to reform Australia’s environmental laws.

China escalates BHP iron ore standoff

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China escalates BHP iron ore standoff

China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) has ordered steel mills to stop purchasing a certain type of BHP (ASX: BHP) iron ore, Reuters reports.

Victory Minerals put on notice for second time this year

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Victory Minerals put on notice for second time this year

The Victorian Government has issued Victory Minerals an infringement notice for failing to report a fire for more than two days at its Ballarat gold mine located in Mount Clear.

The initial trial to determine BHP’s liability began in October 2024 and lasted 13 weeks.

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BHP liable for Brazil dam disaster, UK court rules

In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Justice in London has determined BHP (ASX: BHP) can be held liable over the Fundão iron ore tailings dam failure that killed 19 people in 2015.

Liberal Party abandons net zero

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Liberal Party abandons net zero

Yesterday, Australia’s Liberal Party abandoned its policy to achieve net zero — claiming emissions goals are driving up energy prices.

Gallium confirmed in rare earths product at North Stanmore

InternationalNewsPolitics & Regulation

China suspends ban on exports to US

China’s Commerce Ministry announced it has suspended a ban on approving exports of dual-use items related to gallium, germanium, antimony and super-hard materials to the US.

Rare earth reprieve: China curbs export controls

Economics & Commodity PricesNewsPolitics & Regulation

Rare earth reprieve: China curbs export controls

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached a trade and economic deal to suspend additional export controls on rare-earth metals, according to the White House.

CMG has agreed to co-contribute at least $2m towards the development of the facility.

Economics & Commodity PricesNewsPolitics & Regulation

$2m grant for vanadium electrolyte demonstration plant

Critical Minerals Group (CMG) (ASX: CMG) has received a $2m grant from the Queensland Government under the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund.The grant will partially fund the development of a vanadium electrolyte manufacturing demonstration plant consisting of a single 12-cell electrolyser unit that has the capacity to produce one million litres of vanadium electrolyte per year.

$1 billion mine to boost industry

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$1 billion mine to boost industry

RESOURCE industry employer group Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) has called the NSW Government’s approval of a new $1 billion rare earth and metals mine in Dubbo “fantastic news” for the regional, state and national economies.