Monadelphous lands major Rio contract

Core Lithium (ASX: CXO) will begin open pit mining and ore production at its Grants deposit in May as it advances the restart of its Finniss lithium operation in the Northern Territory.The restart has been supported by the award of a $50m surface mining services contract to NRW (ASX: NWH), alongside the start of the BP33 box cut and civil infrastructure site works.Core Lithium managing director Paul Brown says the award of the Grants open pit mining contract marks a key step in the restart of the Finniss lithium operation.“Grants provides a low risk, near term source of ore using existing infrastructure, enabling a rapid and capital efficient pathway back into production,” he said.“With mobilisation commencing immediately, this contract underpins our restart schedule and near term cash generation objectives.“With final investment decision approval and funding now in place, our focus is firmly on delivery. This contract positions Finniss to deliver the first spodumene concentrate in the December quarter.“We are making strong progress across the balance of our restart workstreams, and we expect to finalise additional key contracts in the near-term as we bring Finniss back into production.”The November 2025 updated mine plan increased ore reserves for Grants by 33% to 1.53mt at 1.42% lithium oxide, lifting contained lithium oxide by 44%.The Grants open pit is expected to supply near term ore feed for the Finniss processing plant, enabling an accelerated production timeline at a lower initial capital cost, according to Core.Core expects the BP33 underground development to support the operation’s transition to long-life, high-margin underground operations.

WA-based company SRG Global (ASX: SRG) has secured major contracts with blue-chip clients across a range of sectors including water, defence and transport, energy, industrial and resources and health and education.

Pan African Resources will consolidate its ownership of the Tenant Creek project in the Northern Territory as part of an all-share acquisition of Emmerson Resources (ASX: ERM).The companies have signed a scheme implementation deed that will see Emmerson shareholders gain 0.1493 shares of Pan African in the form of ASX-listed chess depositary interests for each share they hold — implying an offer price of $.45 for each Emmerson share.The Emmerson Board has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favour of the scheme.Emmerson chairman Mark Connelly says the transaction will deliver immediate value to shareholders.“This combination with our trusted joint venture partner represents a highly compelling and strategically logical consolidation of our Tennant Creek tenement package,” he said.“We are excited about the future prospects of the combined group and the enhanced opportunities it will create for Emmerson shareholders.”Pan African is a growing gold producer with a portfolio of operations across South Africa and Australia. The company has a current market capitalisation of about $7b and is forecast to produce more than 275koz of gold in FY26.As part of the scheme, Pan African will also undertake an ASX listing.Pan African chief executive and executive director Cobus Loots says the transaction is the logical next step.“Bringing the assets under single ownership allows us to optimise project sequencing and capital allocation across the region, maximising value for all shareholders,” he said.“We are confident we have the technical expertise, operational capability and financial strength to unlock the full potential of Tennant Creek.”Corrs, Australia’s leading independent law firm, advised on all aspects of the transaction with support from the firms’ corporate, banking and finance, regulatory, tax, energy and natural resources, real estate and employment, labour and safety practices.Corrs partner Rusell Philip says the transaction marks a meaningful step in Pan African’s growth strategy in the Australasian region.“We are proud to support the company as it continues to expand its global footprint,” he said.“The transaction reinforces Corrs’ market-leading reputation for delivering trusted advice on complex cross-border transactions in the resources sector.”

Zenith Energy has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply Northern Star’s (ASX: NST) Kalgoorlie consolidated gold mines (KCGM) in WA.