Critical minerals conference 2025

(Image source: Anglo American) Anglo American project manager Malcolm Smyth and Queensland Mines Rescue Service chief executive Tim Jackson on the Moranbah South lease site.

Anglo American new cutting-edge training centre

A new training centre in a prime Moranbah position will help boost mines rescue capabilities and shorten response times when incidents occur in Queensland’s Bowen Basin mining hub. Anglo American and Exxaro — which own a 50-50 joint venture steelmaking coal exploration project at Moranbah South — have leased an 18ha parcel of land to Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS). The land, on the corner of Railway Road and Moranbah Access Road, is opposite the planned site for stage 3 of the Resources Centre of Excellence. Anglo American Australia chief executive Dan van der Westhuizen says this lease agreement reinforces the company’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and elevating rescue capabilities. “This marks a pivotal moment for the industry’s preparedness…

(Image source: Bowen Rail Company) From L-R: Netball Association secretary Michelle Bossen and Cyclones players with Bowen Rail Company health, safety and community manager Marty Trask with Bowen in their refurbished kitchen.

Bowen Netball scores big with Bowen Rail Company’s Community Partnership Program

Bowen’s Cyclones netballers have swapped their bibs for aprons thanks to a Bowen Rail Company (BRC) community grant to refurbish their canteen kitchen and keep their club on track. Bowen Netball Association was one of four grant recipients in the latest round of Bowen Rail Company’s Community Partnership Program, which supports local not-for-profit organisations and community groups with the purchase of small assets that can make a big difference. Bowen Netball secretary Michelle Bosson says modern canteen facilities were vital to the club’s 250 local netballers and its army of volunteers – both in keeping them fed and watered off and on the court. “We don’t make much money from registrations alone and it’s the income from the canteen that…

Environmental scientists undertaking groundwater sampling from a borehole near the Carmichael mine.

Bravus Mining groundwater research celebrated internationally

Years of scientific work to better understand ancient springs in outback Queensland has paid off for local researchers who will take their findings to the world stage at a prestigious conference in Davos, Switzerland. Dr Richard Cresswell and Anne Gibson from Eco Logical Australia will present at the upcoming International Association of Hydrogeologists World Groundwater Congress in September. The research focuses on the Doongmabulla Springs Complex, which lies more than 11km away from Bravus Mining and Resources Carmichael mine near Clermont in Central Queensland. Dr Cresswell and Ms Gibson used multiple scientific techniques and approaches including field trips, zonation studies, seed bank germination and satellites and drones to study the ecosystems that rely on the springs and ensure open cut…

Bravus upcycles mine tech for seriously ill children

Bravus upcycles mine tech for seriously ill children

Bravus Mining and Resources is upcycling tech from retired trucks and diggers from its central Queensland Carmichael coal mine to help regional Queensland families doing it tough. Bravus head of production and site senior executive Glen Corfield said that more than fifty state-of-the-art tablets no longer needed for mining operations have been upcycled to support the work of Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia and the Salvation Army. The initiative is a collaboration between Bravus and Haultrux, a mining technology and change management business. Haultrux removed the tablets, reconditioned them and preloaded a variety of apps, from Minecraft to Messenger, in readiness for their use. “We’re proud to operate in regional Queensland and are passionate about backing the organisations and…

METServe general manager Dave Moss says "the acquisition not only complements our extensive history but also aligns seamlessly with our commitment to contributing significantly to sustainable solutions across various industries”.

MEC Mining acquires METServe, expands into environmental services

Australian-based global technical services firm MEC Mining has acquired environmental services company METServe, positioning it as a provider of end-to-end services across the full mining life cycle. The combined service offering will encompass all aspects of environmental services previously provided by METServe including approvals, impact assessment, environmental management, closure and rehabilitation, ecology, social, GIS analysis and cartography. MEC Mining chief executive Christofer Catania says the acquisition complements MEC’s portfolio. “METServe has a 20-year history of working within industry on successful project approvals across the federal, state, and territory levels in Australia,” he said. “It’s exciting to bring METServe into the MEC group, our combined services offerings and mutual focus on supporting our clients as journey partners makes this a fantastic…

New standard for tailings management

New standard for tailings management

A new global standard for tailings management has been released to support the safe management of tailings facilities around the world. This follows the tragic tailings facility collapse at Brudaminho in January 2019, where a total of 259 people were confirmed dead and 11 remain missing to-date. The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management was developed by the independent Global Tailings Review, the International Council on Mining and Metals, the United Nation’s Environment Program and the Principles for Responsible Investment. Global Tailings Review chair Dr Burno Oberle says the release sets a precedent for the safe management of tailings facilities globally and towards the goal of zero harm. “I call on all mining companies, governments and investors to use the…

Endeavor mine in central-west NSW.

Polymetals receives $500k grant from NSW Critical Minerals Activation Fund

Polymetals (ASX:POL) has received $250k of a $500k grant from the NSW Government Critical Minerals Activation Fund. Cobar Metals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Polymetals, will use the grant to assist in the delivery of the Endeavor mine restart study. Polymetals non-executive director Alistair Barton said the company is grateful to receive the grant. “Polymetals and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cobar Metals, are grateful to receive this generous support from the New South Wales Government to assist our restart of the Endeavour Mine, one of the state’s largest silver-zinc-lead mines,” he said. “The funding has been allocated for work undertaken as part of the Endeavor mine restart study which will be completed during the December quarter. “The Endeavor mine is…

Farm-in advances Ilo Este

Farm-in advances Ilo Este

By Reuben Adams March 2015 LATIN Resources subsidiary PLR will collect $1 million cash from project partner Compania Minera Zahena Sac (Zahena) in exchange for 70 per cent of the prospective Ilo Este project in Peru. As part of the deal, Zahena is expected to complete 5000m of diamond drilling within six months, another 3000m within 12 months, and a further 3000m – for a total of 11,000m within 18 months. With recent exploration showing signs of an enormous copper (plus silver and gold) porphyry system at Ilo Este, this key deal could provide the exploration strength required to move the project towards definitive feasibility study stage. A Newco will be formed once the 70 per cent share has been…