London Metal Exchange (LME) zinc futures climbed nearly 3% last week, closing at $2,972.5 per metric ton, as supply concerns intensified following a planned production cut by Nyrstar, one of the world’s largest zinc smelters. Nyrstar announced it will reduce output at its Hobart zinc smelter in Australia by 25% starting in April 2025. The...
READ MORETennant Mining has commenced commissioning at its Stage 1 Nobles Project gold processing plant, with first gold production moved ahead from the second half of 2025 to June. The near-completion of construction and the finalization of Pan African Resources PLC’s A$77.4 million buyout in December have positioned the company for long-term expansion. Managing Director Peter...
READ MOREPeter Navarro, former trade adviser to Donald Trump, has accused Australia of undermining the U.S. aluminium market through subsidies and unfair competition. His claims, published in USA Today, have sparked debate, particularly regarding their accuracy and implications for Australia’s trade relationship with the U.S. Navarro alleged that Australia and Canada were launching “frontal assaults” on...
READ MOREAustralia’s largest pure-play lithium producer, Pilbara Minerals, expects demand recovery amid the restart of a major lithium mine and refinery in China, despite posting a net loss for the half-year ending December 31. The company reported a net loss of A$69 million ($44 million) as lithium carbonate prices fell approximately 87% from their 2022 peak...
READ MOREThe Tomago aluminium smelter near Newcastle is at risk of closure in 2029 due to the rising cost of transitioning from coal to renewable energy. The planned shift to firmed solar and wind power would double electricity costs compared to its current coal-based contract, raising concerns for the future of over 1,000 workers. Rio Tinto,...
READ MOREEverest Metals has successfully extracted its first gold during the commissioning phase of a bulk sample program at the Revere Gold Project in Western Australia. The program has so far produced 1.4 tonnes of gold concentrate and remains ongoing. The bulk sampling program has validated the company’s understanding of the gold mineralization and geo-metallurgical characteristics,...
READ MORESouth32 has confirmed that Worsley Alumina has received environmental approval from the Australian Federal Government for the Worsley Mine Development Project under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). The approval comes with conditions that align with those set by the State Government, which granted its environmental approval on December 20, 2024. The project...
READ MOREBHP announced that former National Australia Bank (NAB) CEO Ross McEwan will assume the role of chairman, succeeding Ken MacKenzie, who will step down on March 31. McEwan, a non-executive director at BHP since April 2024, previously led NAB and Royal Bank of Scotland. McEwan’s tenure comes at a time when BHP faces key decisions,...
READ MORELycopodium has been awarded the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the design engineering of the Hydrogen Sulphide Plant at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project (KNP) – Goongarrie Hub in Western Australia. The project, managed by Kalgoorlie Nickel Pty Ltd (KNPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ardea Resources Limited, represents a large-scale, multi-decade nickel operation located 70 kilometers...
READ MORERio Tinto is exploring the use of intermittent renewable energy for its aluminium smelters, citing falling battery prices as a key factor in making the shift economically viable. Jerome Pecresse, head of Rio’s aluminium division, stated that transitioning to renewable power supported by battery storage is becoming increasingly feasible for the Boyne smelter in Queensland...
READ MORENimy Resources has entered into a non-binding collaboration agreement with M2i Global to support the U.S. Department of Defense in securing a sustainable supply of gallium. The partnership aims to strengthen the supply chain for gallium, a critical material used in semiconductors, radar, and aerospace technologies. Under the agreement, M2i Global will pursue a gallium...
READ MOREPolymetals Resources is making steady progress on the restart of its Endeavor silver-lead-zinc mine near Cobar, New South Wales. The company is currently focused on surface and underground refurbishment activities. In December, several pieces of mobile underground equipment arrived on-site, facilitating the commencement of underground development rehabilitation. Particular attention is being given to the high-grade...
READ MORETartana Minerals Limited is engaged in advanced discussions with Mt Garnet Mineral Finance Pty Ltd (MGMF) regarding a potential agreement to access the Mungana Processing Plant. The agreement would allow Tartana to mine its copper ore and transport it 25 kilometers to the Mungana facility for processing into copper sulphide concentrate. With an annual processing...
READ MOREPodium Minerals Limited has become the first Australian PGM developer to join the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) as a pre-production member. The WPIC, founded by leading platinum group metals (PGM) miners and producers, serves as a global authority on platinum market intelligence and investment. As a member, Podium will gain access to WPIC’s extensive...
READ MOREMAC Copper aims to boost copper production by 23% by 2026, driven by expansion projects at its CSA mine in Cobar, New South Wales. Over the next 18 months, the company plans to increase output through key initiatives. In 2024, MAC Copper raised production by 13% to 41,128 tonnes at a C1 cost of $1.92/lb....
READ MOREBHP Group has commissioned Fluor Australia and Hatch Pty to oversee the staged expansion of its copper smelter and refinery facilities in South Australia, including at Olympic Dam, one of its largest copper projects. The first phase will see an investment of over A$40 million ($25 million) for strategy and planning. Phase one of the...
READ MOREAnglo American has completed the sale of its 33.3% stake in Jellinbah Group Pty Ltd to Zashvin Pty Ltd ahead of schedule. The transaction, initially expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, brings in total cash proceeds of AUD1.6 billion (approximately USD1.0 billion), including AUD228 million previously received. Jellinbah Group holds a 70%...
READ MOREMarine Air Flow International, an Australian manufacturer known for its engine ventilation equipment, has shifted to using Capral Aluminium’s LocAl Super Green, a low-carbon aluminium solution. This transition marks a step toward sustainability for the company, which supplies filtration systems to ensure clean air in marine engine rooms. Nearly half of its business comes from...
READ MOREA groundbreaking aluminium waste recycling pilot facility is set to begin operations next to Rio Tinto’s aluminium smelter in Bell Bay, Tasmania. Driven by ABx Group, a subsidiary of Alcore Limited, the project utilizes a proprietary process to recover and reuse chemicals from the aluminium manufacturing process, reducing costs and reliance on imports. One key...
READ MOREMining firm MMG Ltd has announced that operations at its Dugald River zinc mine in Queensland, Australia, are expected to resume following the containment of a nearby grassfire. The fire, which approached the perimeter of the site, has been successfully managed, allowing the company to proceed with normal operations later in the day. MMG, which...
READ MOREAlpha HPA, an Australian critical minerals manufacturer, has announced a significant supply agreement with a leading Japanese electronics company amid soaring demand for semiconductors powering artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The ASX-listed company will supply high-purity alumina (HPA) from its upcoming refinery in Gladstone, Queensland, which is set to become the world’s largest HPA production facility....
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