MCA calls for critical minerals reform

By Chloe Coutinho

Monday, 20 April 2026

NewsPolitics & Regulation

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has called on the Federal Government to reform critical minerals project approvals, warning that opportunities will only translate into regional economic strength if projects can move from approval to construction and into long-term operation.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Infravision is revolutionising power line construction with its innovative drone stringing systems, developed on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Queensland SuperGrid soars thanks to renewable energy

Queensland SuperGrid soars thanks to renewable energy Powerlink, in partnership with Queensland startup Infravision, is using drones to string 50km of transmission lines to connect the Genex pumped storage hydro system to the Queensland electricity SuperGrid. The world-class powerline stringing system, which is developed, manufactured and assembled out of Coolum Beach, Queensland is the longest section of high voltage electricity transmission line strung by drones in the Asia-Pacific region. Infravision air operations global president Josh Williams says this system sets a new standard in renewable energy. "Infravision and Powerlink Queensland are setting new standards in the energy sector...

Parts of Rio Tinto’s Hope Downs mining operations and the proposed Rhodes Ridge development are located on Nyiyaparli Country.

NewsPeople & Workforce

Rio Tinto updates Native Title Agreement

Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC) Registered Native Title Body Corporate and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) have signed an updated agreement to provide Rio Tinto with a clear framework for engaging on mine development on Nyiyaparli Country.

Alkane reports that all-in sustaining costs over the five-year period will average $1,900/oz to $2,100/oz with costs to reduce over time as the development capital requirement decreases.

Alkane goes for gold with $89m Tomingley expansion

Alkane goes for gold with $89m Tomingley expansion Alkane Resources (ASX: ALK) announced increased gold production above 100,000ozpa with strong resultant cash flow in a five-year plan for its Tomingley gold operations in NSW. Production will be sourced from underground and open cut mining, with 455,000 to 505,000oz of gold expected over the next five financial years. This increase follows plans to realign Newell Highway and expand the existing processing plant to a nominal 1.5mtpa rate through 2025. Alkane will fund the $89m realignment and expansion through cashflow and...

In FY24, 68% of employers conducted a gender pay gap analysis on their results.

Mining’s gender pay gap

Mining’s gender pay gap The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CMEWA) acknowledges today’s release of gender pay gap data compiled by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for FY24. The latest data shows the midpoint of the gap in average total remuneration between male and female workers in the mining sector in FY24 was 19.8%. The midpoint of the average gender pay gap across all industries was 12.1%. Encouragingly, the report found the midpoint of the average gender pay gap in the mining sector had fallen by 1.6% over the past year, one of the best results for an individual industry and...