Worker dies at Rio Tinto copper mine

Operator Tim Lamb from Edgeworth has become NSW’s best Cat® machinery operator following the thrilling State Final of the Caterpillar® Global Operator Challenge, held at WesTrac’s dig pit in Tomago. The 34-year-old, who works with Daracon Group, outperformed nine other finalists in the challenges, designed to test the skill, accuracy and agility of competitors. Tim was crowned state champion and will join WA’s champion Max Harris on an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan, where they will compete against international operators at the Asia-Pacific Regional Finals in October. WesTrac NSW construction general manager Ryan Boslem says operators competing in the NSW final had to put their skills to the ultimate test across three challenges using three different Cat machines. “This year’s challenge…

Fredon, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRW Holdings (ASX: NWH), has secured five electrical and mechanical contracts with a combined value of about $160m.The largest award is a $110m electrical works package on a Federal Government major infrastructure project in Northern Australia. The project is planned for completion in mid-2028.Fredon has also secured a $23m design and construct contract for electrical services in the Festival Towers project in South Australia. The project is expected to be completed in mid-2028.Fredon chief executive Scott Olsen comments on the awards.“The award of these five contracts across the health and infrastructure sectors reinforces Fredon’s ability to deliver complex projects and services across both diverse industries and geographies,” he said.NRW chief executive Jules Pemberton comments on the contracts.“I am delighted to share the award of this suite of new contracts acquired by Fredon,” he said.“I am excited to see the growth opportunities being harnessed by Fredon since acquisition, particularly in sectors where demand for specialised electrical capability has increased, such as infrastructure and renewables.”Additional contracts include mechanical works at the Mt Barker Hospital project in South Australia, design and construct package for electric bus charging infrastructure in South Australia and Victoria.

Native Mineral Resources (NMR) (ASX: NMR) has signed an agreement with Collins St Convertible Note to acquire a suite of advanced, near-production gold projects in northern Queensland as part of a deed of company arrangement approved by creditors. The $18.9m deal includes the Far Fanning and Black Jack deposits. Positioned in the mineral-rich Ravenswood-Charters Towers region, the acquisition provides extensive exploration potential, a clear path to gold production and significant upside through resource growth opportunities. NMR managing director Blake Cannavo comments on the agreement. “This acquisition is a transformative milestone for NMR,” he said. “By securing two near-mine, advanced gold projects with robust resource potential, we are positioning ourselves to move rapidly towards production. “This deal propels us from a…