Tasmanian government aids tungsten mine

The Tasmanian government has issued a $7.5 million loan to Group 6 Metals for its struggling Dolphin tungsten mine on King Island, reported ABC News. This dovetails the government recently acquiring 12% of the company’s shares after Group 6 couldn’t repay a previous loan. A government spokesperson said the new loan was approved because the mine is “critical” for regional…

Read More

Ulan expansion gets approval

Glencore Australia’s Ulan Coal Mine Complex – one of the country’s largest coal mines – has received approval to expand its underground operation, reported ABC News. The miner will be able to extract a further 18.8 million tonnes of coal at the New South Wales site.  Additionally, the determination extends the life span of the mine by a further two…

Read More

Barminco to continue underground services at Agnew

Barminco, the underground mining subsidiary of Perenti, has signed a new contract to continue underground mining operations at Gold Fields’ Agnew gold mine near Leinster, Western Australia. The new contract, valued at A$500 million, is for three years with an optional one-year extension. Services include underground development, production and related mining services. “We are very pleased to be extending our…

Read More

Chinese miner acquires Peak Rare Earths

Peak Rare Earths said that Chinese rare earths producer Shenghe Resources will acquire the Australian firm for A$150.5 million, in addition to the full amount raised under Peak’s proposed A$7.5 million entitlement offer. Under the deal, the state-owned miner’s unit Ganzhou Chenguang Rare Earths New Material will buy Peak for a minimum of A$0.359 per share in cash, if the…

Read More

Catalyst Metals gold mine gets major upgrade

Thanks to RCT – Powered by Epiroc, Catalyst Metals has made the transformative move from analogue to digital operations at its Plutonic gold mine in North Meekatharra, Western Australia. The transition is not limited to new equipment but also includes comprehensive upgrades to existing machines, including Sandvik and Cat loaders with the implementation of RCT’s AutoNav package. The technology allows…

Read More

Autonomous haulage trial set for Norton Gold Fields mines

Thiess has partnered with Norton Gold Fields and EACON Mining Technology to launch a tripartite partnership to deploy autonomous haulage systems through retrofit technology. The project will take place at Norton Gold Fields’ open-pit gold mines in Western Australia.  “By adopting EACON’s autonomous truck technology, we aim to address the shortage of skilled drivers, reduce our operating costs, and enhance…

Read More

Rio Tinto, Sumitomo finalise Winu partnership

Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Metal Mining have signed the final joint venture agreements to deliver the Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia following a December announcement of the partnership.  Under the agreements, Rio Tinto will continue to develop and operate Winu, and Sumitomo will pay Rio Tinto up to $430.4 million for a 30% equity share of the project. This…

Read More

Anglo American responds to Peabody concerns

Anglo American has released a statement in regards to American coal producer Peabody Energy reviewing options related to its acquisition of Anglo American’s coal assets in Australia. The miner said it does not believe that the stoppage at its Moranbah North mine on 31 March constitutes a Material Adverse Change in accordance with the definitive agreements with Peabody. A small…

Read More

Australian state seeking input on mining regs

The Government of South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining is seeking feedback on a range of potential improvements to the state’s Mining Act. The consultation seeks to ensure the Mining Act is fit for purpose and helps meet the demand in a way that, as it noted, “supports industry, community and environmental expectations.” The Mining Act 1971 and its…

Read More