Battle of the Resources Ministers
Australian Mining Review
The Australian Mining Review is a monthly feature-based publication providing news on issues affecting the industry.
Gold mining companies topped the headlines this week with Newmont Australia , Westgold Resources Limited , Regis Resources Ltd and Bellevue Gold all making major announcements.
Newmont reported it had agreed to sell the Telfer operation to London stock exchange-listed and Andrew Forrest-backed Greatland Gold for up to $475m, while Bellevue began underground decline development at the Tribune portal.
In a major boost for its shareholders, Westgold will be admitted to the S&P/ASX 200 later in September and Regis received approval to establish an underground mine at the Tropicana joint venture, which it holds with AngloGold Ashanti .?
Just as the US Presidential debate had us on the edge of our seats, closer to home our Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King went toe-to-toe with Federal Shadow Resources Minister Susan McDonald at the Minerals Week 2024 Conference in Canberra.
Minister King argued that the Australian Government is especially focused on critical minerals and rare earth industries, while Minister McDonald said more needs to be done, including providing certainty in investment and supply chains.
While these two aren’t fighting for the top spot in running the world’s most powerful country, it’s going to make our next Federal election that little bit more interesting. ?
Dutton to fast-track 421 projects and create 100,000 mining jobs
Federal Opposition Leader The Hon. Peter Dutton MP says he will push through 421 projects that are sitting on the sidelines to bring in $525b for the Australian economy, in his recent address to the Minerals Week 2024 Conference in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
Mr Dutton says this push forward will create a total of 100,000 jobs during the construction phase, along with 55,000 ongoing jobs during operation.
SACOME implements STEM digital technology program
To ensure the Government of South Australia keeps pace with technological developments, the South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME) has completed the STEM digital technology program pilot.
This program will aim to increase student interest in technology-based careers and supports the future-skilled talent pipeline needed for the state’s resources sector and other industries.
S&P/ASX 200 to welcome Westgold and Yancoal
On September 23, the S&P/ASX 200 will welcome two more companies with Westgold Resources Limited and Yancoal Australia Ltd set to join.
Yancoal will also be added S&P/ASX 300 and these additions follow the company being added to the Hang Seng Composite and inclusion in the list of stocks eligible for trading under the Stock Connect program with the mainland Chinese stock market in March 2023.
Flight of capital risky for Australian mining: Northern Star’s Stuart Tonkin
Northern Star Resources Limited managing director Stuart Tonkin spoke on the company’s record FY24 at the WA Mining Club August luncheon.
The gold producer saw record cash earnings in FY24 of $1.8b plus revenue of $4.92b, crediting these results to the strong operational performance across its Kalgoorlie and Yandal production centres in WA, plus its Pogo production centre in Alaska.
Pilbara Ports forecasts 1mtpa capacity for Red Hawk?
Pilbara Ports ?has notified Red Hawk Mining that an annual throughput of 1mtpa at the Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility in the Port of Port Hedland, WA, will be available for allocation in 2026.?
The forecasted throughput allocation is consistent with Red Hawk’s Pre-Feasibility Study which has export volume in year one of 1.2mt, increasing to 5mtpa over five years.
Green light for Regis-AngloGold’s Havana underground project
In what has been a tumultuous few weeks for? Regis Resources Ltd over the?McPhillamys project (full coverage to come in our October paper where we go behind the scenes with the major stakeholders, released next Friday), good news has risen from the west with the Tropicana joint venture ( AngloGold Ashanti 70%; Regis Resources 30%) approving the Havana underground project in WA.
The project will establish an underground mine beneath the currently producing Havana open pit and deliver incremental gold production of 55,000oz above the existing planned Tropicana production between 2027-2029.
Federal government approves largest solar salt project
The Australian Government has granted environmental approval for BCI Minerals Optimised Mardie project (OMP)?in the?Pilbara?region of WA.
The OMP will be the largest solar salt project in Australia and the third largest globally, producing 5.35mtpa of high-quality industrial salt for export with an operating life expected to exceed 60 years.
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Australia’s work health and safety (WHS) landscape is defined by a regulatory framework designed to minimise workplace risks and enhance safety.
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Newmont’s Boddington bodes well for tomorrow
Newmont Australia ’s Boddington mine, located 130km south-east of Perth, is WA’s and indeed Australia’s largest gold producer with its two large open pits.
Consisting of greenstone diorite hosted mineralisation, exploration activities continue to develop in the known reserve.
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