Police in Vietnam have arrested former environment deputy minister Nguyen Linh Ngoc and four other former senior officials of the ministry’s mining department for allegedly violating mining regulations, reported Reuters. Ngoc, who was the deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment in 2010-2018, was accused of “deliberate violations of state economic management regulations, causing serious consequences,” the police-run Ministry of…
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Metso strengthens Pumps unit with Jindex acquisition
Metso has signed an agreement to acquire Jindex Pty Ltd, a privately owned Australian tech company specializing in valves and process flow control, for an undisclosed amount. “This acquisition is yet another important step in the development of Metso’s Pumps business line offering to bring us closer to being our customers’ lifecycle partner of choice. Flow and isolation control play…
Read MoreRio Tinto celebrates milestone shipment to China
Rio Tinto said it shipped its four billionth tonne of iron ore from the Pilbara in Western Australia to China after half a century of working together. The shipment was loaded at Dampier Port on 19 July, bound for China Baowu Steel Group – the world’s top steel producer. “China’s strong demand for high-quality minerals such as iron ore has…
Read MoreFortescue slashes 700 jobs in restructuring
Global miner Fortescue said initiatives are being implemented to simplify its structure, remove duplication and deliver cost efficiencies, including the layoff of 700 people across its global operations. “The company must continually evolve to ensure it remains lean, is best positioned to deliver on its strategy and generate the maximum value for shareholders,” Fortescue said. In addition to the layoffs,…
Read MoreMACH Metals to takeover Rex Minerals
Rex Minerals has entered into a scheme implementation deed (SID) with its major shareholder MACH Metals Australia, under which MACH will acquire all of the shares it does not already own for cash consideration of A$0.47 per share. The offer price, which implies a fully diluted equity value of A$393 million, follows a competitive global partnering process, which focused on…
Read MoreLiontown secures offtake with China’s BSIT
Liontown Resources said it has executed a full-form offtake agreement with Beijing Sinomine International Trade Co. (BSIT) for the supply of spodumene concentrate from its flagship Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia. “Securing a near-term offtake with an established lithium refiner to sell initial volumes over the ramp-up period, de-risks sales during our ramp-up of the plant towards nameplate…
Read MoreTetra Tech tapped for refinery work
Cobalt Blue Holdings has selected Tetra Tech for the engineering works of its cobalt-nickel refinery in the Kwinana Industrial Area of Western Australia. Financial details were not disclosed, nor was a timeline for work, but Coalt Blue said the scope of work will include detailed process plant design and construction participation in the projects. “We are excited to partner with…
Read MoreBHP to suspend WA nickel operations amid saturated market
BHP said it will temporarily suspend its Western Australian nickel operations as it has not “been able to overcome the substantial economic challenges driven by a global oversupply of nickel.” The miner said the suspension will begin in October and last at least until February 2027. “We understand this is a challenging period for the Western Australia Nickel team and…
Read MoreMinRes pioneers on-site mental health push
Western Australian miner Mineral Resources (MinRes) has become the first resource company in the Australian state to send out a team of mental health counsellors to its mine sites. In a model it hopes will set the tone for others in WA, MinRes said the move will offer services to all of its employees, including the 7,500 it has working…
Read MoreGlencore drops plans to sell Kazzinc stake
Glencore has abandoned plans to sell its 70% interest in Kazakhstan-based miner Kazzinc after potential buyers failed to match its valuation, reported Bloomberg. Sources familiar with the situation told the media outlet that Glencore has sent a termination letter to the unnamed bidders. Headquartered in Oskemen, Kazzinc is Kazakhstan’s largest producer of zinc, lead and precious metals. The company has…
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