Rio and Glencore at it again with mega merger talks

Weir advances sustainable tailings solutions Weir has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with MINEXXT to strengthen its global leadership in thickened and paste tailings solutions. Weir will integrate MINEXXT’s cutting-edge thickening technology, engineered to deliver high-performance thickened and paste tailings solutions, into its global tailings portfolio. This will enhance Weir’s ability to collaboratively meet the evolving needs of its customers with precision and confidence. Weird global tailing process director Erik Vlot says the value of this cooperation agreement lies in having access to exceptional, world class thickening technology....

Underground workers dead after mine explosion Two workers died after an explosion occurred at an underground mine in Cobar NSW this morning. Emergency services were called to the site, located about 450km east of Broken Hill, at about 3.45am after reports two people had been critically injured in a workplace incident, the NSW Police confirmed in a statement. According to the statement, officers attached to the Central North Police District were told on arrival a man was confirmed dead after the explosion and two women were brought to the surface. One of the survivors has since died and the second woman was airlifted to hospital and is being treated for...

Bell Bay gets 12-month reprieve The Tasmania Government has signed an in-principle 12-month power agreement to secure the immediate future of Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Bell Bay Aluminium smelter. The agreement will allow time for the Tasmania Government to continue to work with the company and the Federal Government on a long-term plan for the smelter. In October, the smelter’s more than 500 staff were told the future of operations were uncertain as the smelter nears the expiry of its energy supply deal with state-owned Hydro Tasmania in December. Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the government is...

Rio remains resilient Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has reported a 13% year-on-year increase in copper production for Q2 CY25, despite price fluctuations amidst rising trade tensions. Driven by strong performance from its copper assets, the company produced 229,000t of copper for the quarter, a 6% year-on-year increase in H1 performance. The economic uncertainty that followed the introduction of US tariffs at the start of the quarter saw copper prices fall before recovering in the second half, driven by US-China de-escalation. Copper production is expected to be at the higher end of guidance following the continued successful ramp up of operations at Oyu...