Category: Projects & Operations

Australia’s largest aluminium smelter to remain open beyond 2028 The Federal Government will work with the NSW Government and Tomago Aluminium to keep the smelter open beyond 2028 after its current energy contract expires.In October, Tomago Aluminium had started consulting more than 1000 workers at the smelter as rising energy prices impacted the smelter’s viability.Over the coming months, Tomago Aluminium will work with the Federal and NSW Governments on a long-term renewable energy solution to support the smelter beyond 2028.“Tomago Aluminium has made it clear: to remain competitive and secure its future the smelter needs a reliable and affordable supply of renewable energy, with ageing coal-fired power options being prohibitively expensive,” Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.As part of the new agreement, Tomago Aluminium will contribute at least $1b in capital and major maintenance investment over the next decade, which includes identifying further decarbonisation opportunities for the smelter.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese comments on the effort.“We want to ensure that Tomago continues to forge Australia’s prosperity, and it continues to create and sustain good, skilled jobs,” he said.“I want to thank the workers and the Hunter community who have faced uncertainty in recent weeks.“Tomago has a proud place in Australia’s history – and we will ensure it has a central place in Australia’s future.”

UGL to construct Stage 3 of Western Downs batteryThe CIMIC Group’s specialist engineering and services provider, UGL, has been selected by Neoen and Tesla to construct Stage 3 of the 305MV/1220MWh Western Downs battery in Queensland.This follows UGL’s successful delivery of Stage 1 and early completion of Stage 2 (270MW / 540MWh) in November.For Stage 3, UGL will install 312 Tesla Megapack 2XL units, along with high-voltage infrastructure, control and switchroom facilities, earthworks and footings. UGL will also provide testing and commissioning support to ensure seamless integration to the grid.Together, Stage 1 and Stage 2 provide 540MW/1080MWh of storage capacity. Once Stage 3 becomes operational, the battery will offer a combined total of 845MW/2.3GWh.ACS group and HOCHTIEF chief executive and CIMIC Group executive chairman Juan Santamaria comments on the major renewable energy storage project.“Stage 3 of the Western Downs Battery will add 305MW/1220MWh of storage capacity to Queensland’s energy network, building on the success of Stages 1 and 2 delivered by UGL,” he said.“This expansion strengthens grid reliability and supports the integration of renewable generation in one of Australia’s most important energy corridors.”UGL managing director Doug Moss comments on Stage 3.“Western Downs Battery Stage 3 will be our tenth battery installation project and our seventh in partnership with Neoen and Tesla,” he said.“As a leader in constructing and commissioning renewable energy assets and connecting them to the grid, we are helping to accelerate Australia’s energy transition.”Construction on Western Downs Battery Stage 3 will commence February 2026 with completion expected in the summer of 2027/28.

Westgold restarts Cue gold mine Westgold Resources (ASX: WGX) has successfully fired the first high-grade stope at its Great Fingall mine — now accessing virgin areas last mined more than a century ago.Gold grades from initial stopes are in line with expectations, averaging between 3-4 g/t.Located near the town of Cue in WA, the Great Fingall mine produced 1.2moz of gold between 1891 and 1918 — from just 1.9mt of ore, notably without the benefit of modern mining technology.Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell comments on the restart.“The recommencement of stoping at Great Fingall is a proud achievement for all at Westgold and the WA underground mining community,” he said.“This historic mine, which produced over 1.2moz of gold at outstanding grades in the early 1900s, has now been revitalised as a modern, high-grade operation through our strategic investment in the Murchison portfolio.“The high-grade output from Great Fingall will complement the volume from Big Bell, strengthening our operations and creating lasting value for our shareholders.”At steady state production from 2027, Great Fingall will deliver about .5mtpa of high-grade ore to Westgold’s Cue processing hub, supplementing ore feed from its nearby +1mtpa Big Bell mine.The Great Fingall mine is forecast to ramp up steadily through FY26 toward a combined steady state production rate of about 40,000t per month by late FY27.Westgold continues to drill the lower open extents of the multiple lodes at Great Fingall from underground, targeting extensions to the current six-year mine life.

Alcoa doubles no-mining zoneAlcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) will expand its Mining Avoidance Zone (MAZ) around Dwellingup to 26,000ha, equivalent to the size of about 860 Optus stadiums.The expanded MAZ is adjacent to several designated conservation areas, including sections of old growth forest which will never be mined.The expanded area now includes part of Lane Poole Reserve, Recreational tracks and trails including sections of the Munda Biddi Trail, Bibbulmun Track and Nyingarn Bidi Loop and a new zone around the Inglehope community east of Dwellingup.Alcoa Australia regulatory approvals director Kane Moyle says the move shows Alcoa is listening and responding to community feedback.“The decision follows environmental studies and extensive community consultation,” he said.“We are committed to engaging with the community to find ways to minimise impacts and protect the cultural values and sense of place that makes Dwellingup special.“We know these areas are treasured by the local community and visitors alike. We respect the community’s expectation that these forest areas and trails remain part of our natural heritage for generations to come.“We are really pleased we can offer increased certainty around their protection as part of our broader commitment to balance critical resources needs with environmental and social values.”This expansion follows Alcoa’s November withdrawal of around 47,000ha from its proposed exploration footprint in the Perth Hills.Alcoa says that while the new MAZ includes areas of mineral prospectivity, there is no immediate financial impact from the Dwellingup no mining commitment.

Chalice Mining’s (ASX: CHN) pre-feasibility study has been completed for the Gonneville palladium-nickel-copper project in WA, confirming a 23-year open pit phase. 

Onslow Iron transitions to gasOperations at the Port of Ashburton, a critical link in Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Onslow Iron supply chain, are now running entirely on natural gas.The complete transition from diesel to natural gas for port operations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst streamlining operations through the removal of extensive diesel logistics and handling, according to the miner.The change will result in displacing about 60 million litres of diesel every year for power generation at the port.Site infrastructure includes a 14MW gas-fired power station which is now connected to the Wheatstone Ashburton West Gas Pipeline.MinRes power station operations manager Gary Stevens comments on the milestone.“The introduction of a gas-fired power station at the port represents a major step towards delivering cleaner and more sustainable mining and export infrastructure,” he said.“Bringing something of this scale together and operational is a huge piece of work and couldn’t be done without the team’s dedication, diligence and expertise.”The Port of Ashburton, located about 150km from Ken’s Bore mine site in West Pilbara, plays a critical role at Onslow as it is where iron ore is loaded onto purpose-built 20,000t transhippers for transfer to bulk carriers offshore.MinRes general operations and development manager Rowan Hill commented on the company’s commitment to investing into greener technologies.“We consider clean energy critical to the sustainability of our industry and the communities where we operate,” he said.“We’re continually exploring ways to reduce emissions across our operations and by connecting the port to the gas lateral, we’re reducing our diesel consumption and taking another positive step towards more cost-effective and cleaner operations.”

Anglo American and Teck shareholders have approved the merger of equals to form Anglo Teck.A majority of votes, 99.7%, were cast in favour of the merger resulting in an all-stock, nil-premium $53b transaction.

BHP (ASX: BHP) has entered a binding agreement with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), in relation to the miner’s share of WA Iron Ore’s (WAIO) inland power network. Currently, BHP holds an 85% interest in WAIO. Under the agreement, an entity will be formed to split this interest with BHP controlling 51% and GIP holding the remaining 49%. BHP will pay the entity a tariff linked to its share of WAIO’s inland power across a 25-year period. BHP retains full operational control of WAIO including its inland power structure. BHP chief executive Mike Henry says he is pleased with the agreement. “This arrangement enables BHP to access capital and maintain operational and strategic control of a critical part of WAIO’s infrastructure,”…

Liontown Limited (ASX: LTR) has signed an offtake agreement for 150,000wmtpa of spodumene concentrate with world-leading lithium manufacturer Canmax Technologies.The agreement assures the supply of spodumene concentrate over 2027 and 2028 from Liontown’s Kathleen Valley project in WA.