Metso acquires MRA Automation

Rineheart nearly doubles Arafura stake  Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has committed $125m to Arafura Rare Earths (ASX: ARU) as part of a recent $425m capital raise, bumping Rinehart's holding to about 15.7%.  The capital raise brings Arafura closer to the full funding of $2.3b required for the development of its Nolans rare earths project, located 135km north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Nolans is set to be Australia’s first integrated rare earths mine and processing facility.  The Nolans raise follows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to the US last week where he signed a $13b Australia-US investment framework for rare earths and critical minerals with...

WA Premier takes green iron to Japan WA Premier Roger Cook is travelling to Japan to support continued collaboration on the clean energy transition between the nation and WA. Japan is a significant investor in WA with longstanding partnerships in the state’s resources sector. In a series of high-level meetings with government and industry stakeholders, Mr Cook will reinforce WA’s relationship with Japan. An important discussion topic for the trip will be WA’s continued resources exports that will contribute to Japan’s energy transition. Opportunities for mutually beneficial co-operation across areas such as green iron, ammonia, carbon...

Rio overhauls operations and executive team Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) is strategically reviewing its portfolio and undergoing major operational reform that will see two senior executives exit the company.   The company is consolidating its product group into three divisions — iron ore, aluminium and lithium, and copper — to maximise competitive advantage and growth potential while still benefiting from a diverse portfolio.   The company’s borates and iron and titanium businesses — spanning across Canada, Africa and the US — are being reviewed by the chief commercial officer following two consecutive cash flow negative years from Rio’s minerals division.  Rio Tinto chief...

WA miners and explorers affected by fuel security issues are now able to apply for exemptions on minimum expenditure requirements for their tenures.