Mining

Mining giant BHP has signed an agreement with the operator of Western Australia’s largest solar farm to supply half of the electricity needs at its Kwinana nickel refinery.

Perenti’s underground mining division has secured a $200 million extension of works on Gold Fields’ Agnew operations in WA.

The Waitsia expansion, a gas power station in the Pilbara, and a potash project near Laverton have received ministerial approval days before the government enters caretaker mode.

Welshpool-based MACA has completed its acquisition of Downer EDI’s mining services business, which includes contracted work on major operations in Western Australia.

The EPA will undertake consultation this week to determine whether or not to assess the proposed Binduli North project in the state’s Goldfields.

The state’s environmental authority has recommended approval of a potash project in Western Australia’s Mid West.

Chris Ellison-led Mineral Resources has reported a 22 per cent quarterly climb in iron ore production while boosting its mining services division.

NRW Holdings has secured stage one works on a new iron ore mine in the Northern Territory, marking its third project announcement for the year.

Perth-based Kaiser Reef has relisted on the ASX as the newest gold producer after commencing mining operations in Victoria.

Alcoa of Australia has been hit with one of the largest workplace safety fines handed down in Western Australia after a contractor fell to his death at the company’s Kwinana alumina refinery.

Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Elizabeth Gaines says the Pilbara miner is well placed to meet China's sustained demand for iron ore after posting record first-half shipments.

Simon Trott has been appointed iron ore chief executive at Rio Tinto, as part of a shake-up that leaves its management team weighted heavily in favour of its head office in London.

Fortescue Metals Group may be required to regularly revise and publicly release the greenhouse gas management plan for its new Pilbara power station following an appeal by the state’s peak conservation body.

Perth-based exploration companies Parkway Minerals and Trek Metals have completed capital raisings collectively worth $8.3 million.

Perth-based software solutions company K2fly has signed a five-year contract with aluminum producer Alcoa Corporation.

A final investment decision for Wesfarmers and SQM’s proposed lithium project in WA has been delayed, as the joint venture undertakes further work to reduce its cost.

Andrew Forrest has asserted that his mining company will do more to tackle climate change than electric car maker Tesla and revealed plans to start building Australia’s first ‘green’ steel plant this year.

ASX-listed Lynas Rare Earths has entered into an agreement with the US Department of Defense to build a commercial light rare earths separation plant in Texas.

Perenti has won a series of new contracts and extensions in WA, including at sites held by Gold Fields, Western Areas and Consolidated Minerals.

A sharp jump in the uptake of electric vehicles, particularly Tesla models, puts the state in the box seat again as a raw metals supplier.

Fortescue Metals Group has achieved an extraordinary jump in net profit to $US940 million in the month of December, highlighting the impact of sky-high iron ore prices.

NRW Holdings has been tasked with building plant infrastructure at Fortescue's Queens Valley project in the Pilbara, subcontracting takeover target Primero Group to complete the works.

Australian Potash has confirmed resolution of an appeal related to its Lake Wells development in the Goldfields but awaits further consultation from the environment minister.

An appeal by Aboriginal artist and activist Kado Muir related to the development of a potash project in the Goldfields has been overruled.

Aboriginal businesses have won more than $13 million worth of contracts to work on Fortescue’s Iron Bridge magnetite project.

Goldminer Northern Star Resources has enjoyed a spike in quarterly sales and significantly reduced its debt, while Saracen Mineral Holdings achieved record production at its WA mines.

A fast-growing EV market has benefited companies such as Talga Group and EcoGraf, amid reports suggesting even more demand for battery graphite products in 2021.

Several Perth companies executed value-creating mergers and acquisitions last year, none more so than Pilbara Minerals.

Andrew Forrest’s Tattarang has struck its third Canadian deal, this time to develop a nickel project in Quebec under a $25.4 million agreement with Orford Mining Corporation.

BHP has raised its iron ore expectations for the first half of the financial year, following record production in the Pilbara and a restart of its Brazilian operations.

Perth-based Castillo Copper is considering divestment opportunities for a “sizeable” asset in NSW, including a potential spin-out into a new listed entity.

ASX-listed contractor Civmec has secured new work across its maintenance, manufacturing, and construction divisions including with the likes of BHP and Rio Tinto.