Evolution Mining granted approval for Cowal extension

Gold miner Evolution Mining has received approval from the New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on the Cowal gold operations’ open pit continuation.  A development consent was granted for the continuation of open-pit mining with extension of the E42 pit and subsequent development of three new open pits, and continuation of ore processing at a rate of…

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BHP, Rio Tinto allowed sexual harassment at mine sites: Lawsuits

Two class action lawsuits filed in the Federal Court of Australia, accuse BHP and Rio Tinto of knowingly placing female staff into environments where they faced systemic sexual harassment and gender discrimination, reported Bloomberg. Under the Anti-Discrimination Act an employer is liable if they “permit” a woman to work in an environment where they will likely be exposed to sexual…

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Rio Tinto offloads stake in Winu

Rio Tinto will sell a 30% stake in its Winu copper-gold project in Western Australia to Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. for $399 million, reported Bloomberg. “This is a unique opportunity to derisk our investment,” said Katie Jackson, Rio’s chief executive of copper. “We look forward to working more broadly as strategic partners to find new ways to deliver value…

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Ok Tedi rolls out largest wheel loader in PNG

Ok Tedi Mining Limited has launched the first and largest front wheel loader in Papua New Guinea: a Cat 995 Large Wheel Loader. The new machine will allow the miner to increase production capacity and meet growing market demands. “The Cat 995 is up to 23% more productive than the Cat 994 Wheel Loader, while the company has been using…

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ARENA provides Fortescue funds for fast charging project

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a A$10 million grant to Fortescue to develop a six-megawatt fast charger unit for heavy mining equipment. The funding has been awarded under the Australian Government’s Industrial Transformation Stream, part of the Powering the Regions Fund.  Building on an existing 3-MW prototype, the ‘Fast Charger for Heavy Battery Electric Vehicles’ project will…

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India, Mongolia discussing mining pact

An Indian government source told Reuters that the country is in talks with Mongolia to set up a preliminary pact that will focus on mineral shipments between the two Asian nations. “The pact with Mongolia will focus on transit of minerals” such as coal and copper, said the source, who did not want to be identified as the deliberations are…

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WA lithium miners to receive government assistance

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia said it welcomed an announcement of a relief package for the state’s lithium producers.  “Falling lithium prices have forced a growing number of lithium operations to suspend or cease operations over the past 18 months,” said CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson. “However, we know lithium remains a key commodity for…

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Spartan gets okay to commence mining at Dalgaranga

Gold miner Spartan Resources has received key regulatory approvals for the mining and processing of underground ores to proceed at its Dalgaranga gold project in Western Australia. “With these final approvals now in hand, we are excited to move ahead with the next phase of development of the Dalgaranga project and advance systematically toward a production re-commencement, in the process…

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Fortescue to purchase zero emissions mining equipment from XCMG

Fortescue intends to purchase over 100 pieces of zero emissions heavy mobile equipment under a deal with Chinese manufacturer XCMG with a potential value of more than US$400 million. This marks XCMG’s largest contract outside of China for mining equipment and will see battery electric wheel loaders, wheel dozers, water carts, float prime movers and graders delivered to Fortescue’s Pilbara…

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