The world’s largest iron ore export hub, Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Australia, is in operation again after the passing of what has been named Cyclone Sean. According to a Reuters report, citing an interview with the Pilbara Ports Authority, the hub reopened Monday after being idled since Saturday, 18 January, as the storm arrived in the region.…
Read MoreWe have tabulated our top stories for 2024 on Miners News Global, and there were some surprises! Check out which articles caught the most attention from readers over the last year. 1. MSHA issues final silica ruleIn this story from April 2024, we shared MSHA’s final rule issuance for exposure to respirable crystalline silica. 2. Rare…
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Rio Tinto has approved an earmark of $2.5 billion to expand the capacity of its Rincon lithium project in Argentina to 60,000 tonnes per year. Rincon is the company’s first commercial-scale lithium operation; that capacity is comprised of the 3,000-tonne starter plant and 57,000-tonne expansion plant. Rincon’s mine life is expected to be 40 years, with construction of the expanded…
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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 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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Rio Tinto has approved construction of a new 25-megawatt solar plant at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah, bringing the mine’s total solar capacity to 30 MW. It will be located next to an existing 5-MW solar plant. Full story.
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A Rio Tinto executive said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s new administration should focus on speeding up the permitting process for its stalled Resolution copper mine in Arizona, reported Reuters. The mine could supply more than one-quarter of the country’s domestic copper needs. Full story.
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Rio Tinto said it is partnering with China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) to demonstrate battery swap electric haul truck technology at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia.
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Rio Tinto completed the previously announced acquisition of Sumitomo Chemical Co.’s 20.64% interest in the joint venture New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) on 1 November, making it the sole owner. NZAS owns and operates the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, located on Tiwai Peninsula in Southland. Around 90% of the aluminium produced there is exported. “We are pleased the acquisition of…
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Rio Tinto has finished the transition from conventional to renewable diesel for all heavy mining equipment at its Kennecott copper mine in Utah. Full story.
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