The recently released Federal Budget has highlighted the importance of the mining and resources industry to the Australian economy with a particular focus on the critical minerals sector. One of the most important commodities to the current market is lithium due to the importance of the metal to the electric vehicle and battery sector.
IGO has substantially increased the scope and cost of its Cosmos nickel project while also reporting commissioning delays at the Kwinana lithium refinery.
North America focussed mineral explorer American West Metals has appointed highly experienced mining executive Daniel Lougher as its new Non-Executive Chairman effective from February next year. Lougher previously served as Managing Director for nickel developer Western Areas, leading the company to a $1.3 billion acquisition by mega miner IGO Limited. He will initially serve as the company's Non-Executive Director from November this year before transitioning to Chairman.
Explorer St George Mining has moved quickly on its discovery of high-grade lithium-bearing rock chip samples at the company's Mt Alexander project near Leonora, launching its first lithium-focused drill campaign at the project. The 20-hole 2,000m program's initial focus is Mt Alexander's Jailbreak prospect where high-grade lithium in outcropping pegmatites has been confirmed by the rock chip assays.
Business News has updated its listing of WA's biggest resources projects to incorporate a spate of new developments and analysed which projects are next.
Our board moves wrap includes Mark Connelly, Richard Monti, Terry Wheeler, Graham Arvidson, Samantha Hogg, Peter Bradford, Matt Dusci, Rob Velletri, John Rubino, Zoran Bebic, and Peter Dempsey.
Tributes have poured in for late mining veteran Peter Bradford, who has been praised by his peers as an inspiring leader and a visionary of the state's mining community.
Western Australia's mining community is in shock following the loss of IGO chief executive and respected industry figure Peter Bradford, who died suddenly at the weekend.
Our board moves wrap includes Colin Beckett, Robert Jager, Ben Quirin, Jodi Scott, Adam Blumenthal, Justin Osborne, Peter Buck, Kathleen Bozanic, Matthew Yates, Craig Williams, Rowan Johnston, and Cristian Moreno.
After further field work, mineral explorer St George Mining believes it has significantly expanded the lithium potential of its Mt Alexander nickel — and now lithium — project 95km west of Leonora in WA. Since first announcing it was on the lithium trail in early September, the explorer has identified an increasing number of pegmatite outcrops in its field mapping efforts across a 15km zone of pegmatite dykes at its project.
Minister Bill Johnston says his department is having its own trouble recruiting staff to process exploration approvals, in response to industry calls for faster lead times to access ground.
Mark Bennett's exploration venture S2 Resources will relocate from its Osborne Park address in Perth to Melbourne, signalling a shift in focus to its flagship asset in Victoria.
IGO said today its scheme of arrangement, to acquire 100 per cent of Western Areas, was legally effective, with the deal scheduled to complete later this month.
A correction in the lithium market turned into a rout today, with Pilbara Minerals and Liontown Resources leading the fall after two bearish research reports.
Tianqi Lithium and IGO have marked first production of battery-grade product from their Kwinana refinery, bringing the operation closer to full scale output.
IGO's proposed acquisition of Western Areas has hit a snag amid claims that an independent report prompted the WSA board to potentially reconsider its endorsement of the $3.36 per share offer.
Andrew Forrest's Wyloo has agreed to back IGO's $1.1 billion purchase of Western Areas as well as collaborate on nickel downstream processing opportunities under a newly formed partnership.
The joint owners of the giant Greenbushes lithium mine in WA's South West are planning a $1.4 billion expansion, regulatory filings in Hong Kong have revealed.
Strengthening commodity prices have helped conclude a smooth quarter for IGO and braced Pilbara Minerals through a period of lower production and labour shortages.
Wyloo has stepped up its stake in WA nickel play Western Areas to just over 9 per cent, despite the target agreeing to a $1.1 billion takeover with IGO six weeks ago.
BHP is mounting a legal claim against Western Areas after it was forced to fork out more than $1 million in compensation because of an alleged insurance bungle.
Zuleika Gold shares have surged 90 per cent on the back of a sizeable cornerstone investment from prominent Western Australian mining investor Mark Creasy.
Perth nickel company IGO has continued to push its clean energy strategy confirming it will acquire rival Western Areas in an all cash takeover, ending months of speculation.
A potential takeover between IGO and Western Areas could still be on the table after the companies offered the market their first update in weeks that due discussions were continuing.
A Perth research institute focused on battery industries has signed up a consortium of companies, government agencies and universities to build a cathode precursor production pilot plant.
Nickel miner IGO has reported a record financial performance, after what managing director Peter Bradford described was a transformational year for the business.
