Yancoal to acquire Queensland coal mine for $2.5b

By Chloe Coutinho

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

NewsProjects & Operations

Yancoal (ASX: YAL) will acquire an 80% interest in the Kestrel coal mine as part of its acquisition of KCG.

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.

(Image source: Iluka Resources) Iluka shares were down about 14% following the announcement.

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Mineral sands downturn forces $565m Iluka adjustment

Critical minerals producer Iluka Resources (ASX: ILU) has flagged a $565m pre-tax hit tied to its mineral sands business as weak demand continues to weigh on prices.

The project is the first of several green energy proposals from YEC in partnership with ACEN Corporation.

Green is a go: WA initiative approves first project

Green is a go: WA initiative approves first project A solar project in the Pilbara, WA, is the first project approved under the WA Government’s Green Energy Approvals Initiative. The approved project of up to 150MW will be located within a 13,000km2 in the Pilbara and is part of Indigenous-led Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation’s (YEC) plans for one of Australia’s largest renewable energy developments intended to total 3GW of solar, wind and storage capacity. Pilbara member Kevin Michel says this project sets a new standard for renewable energy developments. “I'm thrilled the first project assessed under the Green Energy Approvals...

Rio’s Weipa operations in Far North Queensland includes three bauxite mines, processing facilities, shiploaders, an export wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network and ferry terminals.

Rio Tinto locks in $276m for Amrun

Rio Tinto locks in $276m for Amrun Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has approved an investment of $276m (US$180m) and commenced work on the Norman Creek access project at its Amrun bauxite mine on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. The Norman Creek access project will enable mining of the Norman Creek region of Amrun, which holds approximately half of the currently declared Amrun ore reserves of 978mt. Construction is underway on key infrastructure, including a 19-kilometre haul road, camp accommodation and a communications tower. First production from Norman Creek is targeted...

In Q1 CY26, the Geelong Refinery operated at full production with a crude intake of 10.2MBBL.

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Geelong refinery fire forces output cuts

Viva Energy’s (ASX: VEA) Geelong refinery will operate at reduced capacity in the short term following a fire last week, with diesel, jet fuel and petrol production all impacted.