‘Super fungi’ a greener pathway for critical minerals recovery

By Samantha Bawden

Monday, 29 June 2026

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Environmental engineers at The University of Queensland are growing fungal strains that extract critical minerals from mining waste while also helping to remediate sites.

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.

Metso expands lifecycle services model

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Metso expands lifecycle services model

Metso has reported increased demand in its Life Cycle Services (LCS) offering for pumps as mining operators shift towards long-term service-based equipment models.

Skills gap will widen: report

NewsTechnology & Innovation

Skills gap will widen: report

Areas of technology investment in Australian mining. Image: Newport Consulting. BY ELIZABETH FABRI MINING companies are embracing the transition to the ‘digital mine’ by investing in new technologies, but falling short when it comes to preparing future workforces, Newport Consulting has found. In its 2018 Mining Business Outlook, the operational management consultancy firm revealed strong signs of revival for the sector following a series of in-depth interviews with more than 50 mining leaders. However it flagged an emerging skills gap confronting the industry as a result of the rise of automation and a ‘gig economy’ set to redefine roles and disrupt job security. “We spoke to many companies of all sizes that voiced concern over a widening...

Quartz potential easily sorted

Industry ProfilesNewsTechnology & Innovation

Quartz potential easily sorted

LASER sorting technology developed by TOMRA is being used to unlock the full potential of quartz deposits. With a structural approach to sorting that’s unique in the market, the scattering effect of multiple laser beams can be used to separate a quartz rock from a similar-looking one containing no quartz: quartz or quartz veins will appear as a glowing crystals because quartz returns the laser light in a larger area, while others will remain dark with no visible scattering. Large and pure crystals can be clearly discriminated from other rocks or minerals with a smaller crystal structure, regardless of the colour or chemical composition. Indeed, the quartz market is already witnessing a steady growth, and this trend is expected to continue. Analysts...

BHP launches Australia’s first electric locomotives

NewsTechnology & Innovation

BHP launches Australia’s first electric locomotives

The first purpose-built battery-electric locomotives (BELs) in Australia will be trialled on BHP’s (ASX: BHP) iron ore rail routes between its Pilbara mines and Port of Port Hedland operations in WA.

Rio’s iron ore production resilient despite cyclone

NewsProjects & Operations

Rio’s iron ore production resilient despite cyclone

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has reported its iron ore port operations have resumed after Tropical Cyclone Narelle passed over WA’s Pilbara region.

US company makes $723m bid for NSW critical minerals

US company makes $723m bid for NSW critical minerals

US company makes $723m bid for NSW critical minerals Larvotto Resources (ASX: LRV) received an unsolicited takeover bid from the US Antimony Corporation (USAC), equivalent to $1.40 per share, after the close of trading on Friday. The offer was made following USAC’s lodgement of a substantial shareholder notice aftermarket, notifying Larvotto that it had acquired 51,685,160 ordinary shares, representing 10.0% of the company's shares on issue. Larvotto is actively advancing its portfolio of critical minerals projects including the Hillgrove antimony-gold project in NSW, the large Mt Isa copper, gold and cobalt project adjacent to Mt Isa townsite in Queensland and the Eyre...

$4.5b WA wheatbelt wind farm advances

$4.5b WA wheatbelt wind farm advances

$4.5b WA wheatbelt wind farm advances Synergy has applied to develop its Tathra wind farm, a 2GW combined solar and wind project, with the WA Government after receiving consent for land usage from nine farm owners. The state-owned company’s proposed project, located 300km north of Perth near Eneabba, includes 140 wind turbines with a generation capacity of up to 1000MW, up to 1,000,000 solar photo-voltaic (PV) panels with 500MW of solar capacity and lithium-ion batteries with a 500MW capacity. Synergy’s planning documents state that by co-locating wind turbines, solar panels and a battery energy storage system...

Industry future unlocked with Trailblazer

Industry future unlocked with Trailblazer

Industry future unlocked with Trailblazer The Federal Department of Education’s $380m Trailblazer Universities Program has established six Trailblazers focused on national priorities including resources technology, critical minerals and the clean energy transition. Under the program, 14 universities and 220 industry partners have also co-invested $1.14b to build new research capabilities and drive commercialisation outcomes to accelerate Australia’s innovation agenda. The Resource Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer program continues to build new research capabilities and drive commercialisation in resources and critical minerals industries across Australia. The program aims to transform the way industry, universities and researchers work together...