Dyno Nobel opens new detonator plant

Dyno Nobel, a business of Incitec Pivot, recently held an official opening ceremony for the new fully automated electronic detonator plant at its Helidon manufacturing site in Queensland. The plant will deliver an increase in Dyno Nobel’s capability to manufacture its DigiShot Plus.4G  units, one of the world’s safest and most popular electronic detonator systems. “This project highlights our unwavering…

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Whitehaven offloads 30% stake in Blackwater mine

Photo: Whitehaven Coal Australian miner Whitehaven Coal has entered into separate deals with Japan’s Nippon Steel and JFE Steel for the sale of a joint venture interest of 20% and 10%, respectively, in its Blackwater coal mine in Queensland.  The transactions total US$1.08 billion, and are expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. “We look forward to working…

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Byerwen mine reports second August fatality

Mining contractor Macmahon reported a fatal collision on 22 August at QCoal’s Byerwen coal mine in Queensland. The accident follows the death of a worker involved in a crane incident three weeks prior. Macmahon said a loaded dump truck was ascending the ramp leading out of the pit at low speed when a light vehicle approached from behind and ran…

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MMS bags second Red 5 contract

Mineral Mining Services said it has been awarded a second contract with Red 5 (formerly Silver Lake Resources) at its Mount Monger operations in Western Australia. Over the 12-month contract, MMS will deliver load and haul services for the French Kiss open-pit project; deploying a 100-tonne fleet including a near-new Hitachi EX1200 excavator.  “This contract solidifies the partnership between MMS…

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Fabrum unveils liquid hydrogen plant at Fortescue site

New Zealand-based Fabrum has collaborated with Fortescue on the design, build and commissioning of Australia’s largest liquid hydrogen plant at a mine site. The plant is now operational at Fortescue’s Green Energy Hub at Christmas Creek in Western Australia. “Hydrogen and fuels made using renewable energy will have a role to play in decarbonising mining, whether it’s in buses, heavy…

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BMA going all electric in Australia

The assets of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) will be the first Australian operations across the miners portfolio to run under renewable power arrangements for 100% of their electricity needs, BHP has confirmed. The move comes with the signing of a new power purchase agreement (PPA) for BMA’s Queensland operations. Specifically, the company arm has entered a new seven-year PPA commencing…

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Newmont embraces 5G underground

Newmont said it is expanding its use of next-generation 5G wireless networks to improve mine safety following trial results from its Cadia underground operation in New South Wales, Australia. Before the trial with Ericsson and Telstra Purple, Newmont said Cadia was limited to upload speeds of 20-30 megabits per second using Wi-Fi to operate autonomous equipment such as ore loaders…

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ERA goes to court for Jabiluka lease renewal

Energy Resources of Australia has launched legal proceedings over the Northern Territory government’s decision not to renew the undeveloped Jabiluka mineral lease, which expires on 11 August. The miner is seeking judicial review of the decision, including the Commonwealth government’s advice to the Northern Territory government to refuse the lease renewal. ERA said it “was denied procedural fairness and natural…

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Talison commits Greenbushes to IRMA audit

Talison Lithium has committed its Greenbushes mine in Western Australia to third-party independent assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard for Responsible Mining.  It is the first Australian mine to undergo an independent IRMA audit. “By volunteering Greenbushes lithium operation for independent audit against the world’s most rigorous global mining standard, Talison Lithium is providing unprecedented transparency…

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