MCA: Skilled migration to reverse mining talent crunch

The Victorian Government has issued Victory Minerals an infringement notice for failing to report a fire for more than two days at its Ballarat gold mine located in Mount Clear.

In 1963, Dr G Yunupingu, the late visionary Gumatj clan leader, stood alongside his father, Munggurrawuy Yunupingu, at what he described in 2008 as the first mining agreement on the Gove Peninsula.

Vaughan Harris has just become the first Tjiwarl community member to complete an apprenticeship with Liontown (ASX: LTR) at its Kathleen Valley lithium operations.Mr Harris grew up in Leonora and completed his final years of high school at the Cunderdin College of Agriculture. He started his electrical trade at 23 which led him to complete his apprenticeship.Mr Harris reflects on the historic moment in the Liontown partnership with the Tjiwarl community.“Being the first Tjiwarl apprentice to complete an apprenticeship here at Liontown feels exciting,” he said.“I hope it shows other Tjiwarl members, and even non-members, that it’s absolutely possible to complete an apprenticeship with Liontown’s support and the support of the community.”Mr Harris will relocate to Karratha with his wife, Cate, and daughter Aurora.“I hope to keep expanding my electrical knowledge, taking up extra courses and training,” he said.“When I get to Karratha, I’m hoping to start out in the rail side of things, which interests me most, but whatever I end up doing will likely be new to me, and that’s exciting in itself.”Liontown continues to partner closely with Tjiwarl to provide meaningful employment and training opportunities.

Lynas Rare Earths CEO to retire after 12 years Amanda Lacaze will step down from her role as chief executive of Lynas (ASX: LYC), having led the company’s shift from a “troubled startup” to the largest rare earths producer outside China.Lynas’ market value has grown about $14.6b since 2014, according to Lynas board chair John Humphrey.“Under leadership, the company’s production and operating footprint has grown and our market value has increased from around $400m in 2014 to $15b,” Mr Humphrey said.“The company was in a very difficult position when took on the role of chief executive.“It is thanks to hard work, drive and tenacity that Lynas is today a leading rare earths producer and critical supplier to global manufacturing chains.”Ms Lacaze will remain with the company until the end of FY25 to enable a smooth transition as the board begins its search process for a new chief executive, considering both internal and external candidates.“It has been a great privilege to lead the company from a troubled startup to an ASX50 company,” Ms Lacaze said.“Having successfully concluded the Lynas 2025 capital investments program and launched the Towards 2030 growth strategy, it is the right time to make this transition.”The announcement comes as Australia refocuses on its previously announced $1.2b Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, with Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers briefing G7 members on new details this week.Antimony, gallium and rare earth elements will be the first minerals targeted by the reserve.Lynas stands as an example of Australia’s potential as a refiner, a crucial component of critical minerals value chains that are significantly concentrated in China.“We are refining right now. Lynas Rare Earths in Kalgoorlie is doing an important stage of this,” Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said.“Lynas Rare Earths from the deposit at Mount Weld is the only Western supplier of rare earths processing at the moment.”In 2025, Lynas emerged as the only commercial producer of separated dysprosium and terbium ex-China after achieving first production at Lynas Malaysia.