No time is a good time for downtime

Macmahon Holdings (ASX: MAH) is partnering with Manuka Resources (ASX: MKR) for the restart of mining operations at the Wonawinta silver project in NSW.The agreement covers open pit mining services, drill and blast and load and haul activities with mining expected to recommence in May 2026.A formal mining services agreement is anticipated to be finalised in April, with an estimated value of $190m across an initial five-year term.Macmahon has said no additional capital expenditure is required for FY26, with company guidance remaining unchanged.The Wonawinta project, located in the Cobar Basin, last operated in 2015 before being placed in care and maintenance due to low silver prices.Manuka Resources acquired the project in 2016 and has since intermittently used the site’s processing plant for gold from its nearby Mt Boppy operation.The project was returned to care and maintenance in early 2024.Macmahon managing director and chief executive Michael Finnegan welcomes the opportunity to partner with Manuka Resources to de-risk operations at Wonawinta.“Macmahon is proud to be working in partnership with Manuka Resources to get this exciting large-scale silver project into production again” he said.“We look forward to working closely with them to deliver the operational flexibility and scalability that supports Manuka’s development timetables and production targets.”

Meeka Metals (ASX: MEK) has commenced installation of an ore sorting facility at its Murchison gold project in WA, targeting increased processing capacity and higher gold production. The upgrade is expected to lift mill capacity by 200ktpa to 800kpta, resulting in a corresponding boost in gold production.  Ore sorting will be applied initially to underground material from the Andy Well deposit, separating higher-grade ore for immediate processing while lower-grade material is stockpiled for later treatment. Test work at Steinert’s facility in Bibra Lake found about 85% of contained gold could be sorted into about 50% of the rock mass, effectively doubling the head grade of Andy Well ore entering the mill. Meeka Metals managing director Tim Davidson says the upgrade represents a low-cost solution to increase production. “We expect this high-return, quick-payback investment to be operational in the September 2026 quarter providing additional processing capacity for ore from our open pits and our second underground mine at Turnberry, commencing in 2026,” he said. Civil works for the $6m upgrade have commenced, with equipment delivery and installation due to begin in the June 2026 quarter. According to the company, the installation offers a faster and lower-cost alternative to expanding the existing processing plant, which would require significantly higher capital investment and longer development timelines. The upgrade is expected to reduce processing costs per ounce, lower tailings volumes and reduce wear on plant equipment by removing waste material before milling. Meeka Metals said further test work is underway to assess the application of ore sorting across other deposits within the Murchison project.  

Fortescue has removed second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) from its operations, in a move to reduce risks to native wildlife, including threatened species such as the Northern Quoll.  The change was implemented in August 2025 with Fortescue transitioning to alternative rodent control methods including first generation rodenticides, which break down more quickly in the environment. Rodent management remains a requirement at mining operations to protect infrastructure and the health and safety of personnel.  SGARs are known to persist in the environment and can accumulate in animals that consume poisoned rodents, increasing the risk of secondary poisoning in predators and scavengers.  Fortescue approvals, communities and services director Rosli Wheelock said the decision was made following internal assessment of environmental risks.  “We operate in some of Australia’s most important natural habitats, and we have a responsibility to look after them,” he said. “When we saw these products could put native wildlife at risk, we made the decision to stop using them and have moved to safer alternatives.” Recent studies have identified anticoagulant rodenticides in a range of Australian wildlife species, raising broader concerns about their environmental impact. Edith Cowan University Associate Professor Robert Davis says second-generation rodenticides are highly persistent and can accumulate through the food chain. “Reducing their use where practical can help lower the risk of secondary poisoning for native predators and scavengers,” he said. Fortescue says it will continue to monitor and review rodent management practices as part of its broader environmental management program.