Glencore has confirmed it has reached a Heads of Agreement with the Australian and Queensland governments on an A$600 million support package that will keep operations continuing for the next three years at the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery. The deal, made after eight months of constructive engagement with both governments, offers “greater certainty” for 600 workers…
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Robe River JV invests millions to extend West Angelas
The Robe River Joint Venture, which comprises Rio Tinto (53%) and Japanese partners Mitsui Iron Ore (33%) and Nippon Steel (14%), has agreed to invest $733 million to develop the West Angelas sustaining project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The project aims to develop new iron ore deposits in the West Angelas hub. The deposits will maintain the hub’s total…
Read MoreChina reportedly pauses BHP iron ore imports
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was concerned about a report that China’s state-owned China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) had taken steps to pause purchases of iron ore cargoes from BHP, reported Reuters. A Bloomberg News report cited that CMRG had asked the country’s steelmakers and traders to pause purchases of BHP’s seaborne iron ore cargoes during annual price…
Read MoreBarrick Alliance terminated: Japan Gold
Japan Gold said it and Barrick Mining have mutually agreed to end their strategic alliance agreement, effective October 31, 2025. The alliance was established in 2020 with the aim of jointly exploring, developing and mining certain gold mineral properties and projects in Japan, which have the potential to host Tier 1 or Tier 2 gold deposits. “Barrick’s involvement with Japan…
Read MoreFreeport confirms missing miners dead
Freeport-McMoRan said the remaining five workers who were missing following the September 8 mud-rush disaster at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia have been found deceased. This follows the discovery of two bodies on September 20.
Read MoreFreeport, Indonesia close to divestment deal
Indonesia Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani said he expects the government to soon sign a deal with Freeport-McMoRan, which will give a local partner a 12% stake in its Indonesian unit, PT Freeport Indonesia, reported Reuters. State-owned holding company MIND ID owns 51% of PT Freeport Indonesia, which runs operations at the Grasberg minerals district. “This is just an administrative process…
Read MoreKincora regains Mongolian copper-gold portfolio
Kincora Copper has resecured the full rights of its Mongolian copper-gold portfolio following the withdrawal of Orbminco, formerly Woomera Mining, from a 2024 earn-in agreement as it shifts its focus to Australian gold exploration. The portfolio includes three extensive and underexplored copper-gold intrusive complexes at the Bronze Fox project, a year-round field camp and a proprietary Mongolia-wide project generation database.…
Read MoreThiess secures contract extension at Iron Bridge
Thiess has been awarded a two-year contract extension for mining and asset management works at Fortescue’s Iron Bridge magnetite mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The extension builds on Thiess’ successful services at the mine from 2022. “We are delighted to extend our collaboration with Fortescue. Thiess has a long and proud association with Fortescue in critical mine development and,…
Read MoreABB to help modernize Renison mine’s hoist system
Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture has selected ABB to deliver a significant modernization of the main production hoist at the Renison mine – Australia’s largest tin mine. With the mine now operating at greater depths, hoist modernisation became essential to maintain reliability, maximise productivity and extend the life expectancy of critical machinery. The upgrade from ABB will replace a legacy…
Read MoreRCT installs first AutoNav system on hybrid loader
RCT – Powered by Epiroc has completed its first installation of the AutoNav system on a Cat R2900 XE Hybrid loader for AIC Mines at the Eloise copper mine in northwest Queensland. The new machine was purchased by AIC to support its ongoing efforts to extract high-grade ore from its underground copper and gold mine, which has been in production…
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