Fuel shortages force WA miner to halt operations

IGO, Encounter Resources enter copper JV IGO (ASX: IGO) has entered a joint venture (JV) with Encounter Resources (ASX: ENR), following the sole funding of $15m of exploration expenditure on the company’s Yeneena project in WA. The exploration expenditure earned IGO a 70% interest in Yeneena. Yeneena comprises a major land position in the highly prospective Paterson Province in northern WA, targeting copper-cobalt mineralization. The project is located 60km south-west of the major gold-copper mine at Telfer, owned by Greatland Gold — which the company recently acquired from Newmont Mining (ASX: NEM) — and south of...

Alcoa permanently closes Kwinana refinery Alcoa (ASX: AAI) has confirmed a $1.36b (US$890m) plan to permanently close its Kwinana alumina refinery in WA, citing the age of the facility, scale and operating costs, market conditions and bauxite grade challenges. This follows the curtailment of production at the refinery in June 2024. The Kwinana refinery currently has about 220 employees. Alcoa says this number will be reduced during 2026 as the closure progresses. Certain employees will remain beyond 2026 to prepare the site for future redevelopment. Permanently closing Kwinana’s 2.2mmt of annual capacity will bring Alcoa’s global consolidated refining capacity to 11.7mmt. Alcoa has undertaken numerous studies and analyses since curtailment to determine the future of the refinery, including restart and closure....

Landmark Tivan, Sumitomo deal boosts Middle Arm development The Northern Territory Government has taken steps forward with the cornerstone Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct project with one of its key proponents, Tivan, signing an agreement with Japanese giant Sumitomo Corporation. Tivan, headquartered in Darwin, and Sumitomo will drive the development and financing of the Speewah vanadium project in the Kimberley region of north-east WA. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson says support from the Northern Territory government and Sumitomo is key to progress. “The Northern Territory Government has been steadfast in their support...

Liontown sets its sights on long-term lithium Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR) has updated its Kathleen Valley production guidance for H2 FY25 in an attempt to better adapt to a low-price lithium environment. The company’s revised mine plan is designed to deliver 2.8mtpa production rate from the end of FY27, with a focus on high margin tonnes and expected reduction in development and fixed costs. Liontown managing director and chief executive Tony Ottaviano says when market conditions change, companies need to quickly adapt to meet the market. “Through the business optimisation work done by our team, the revised mine plan and guidance...