Pinnacle Minerals Ltd (ASX: PIM) has announced the approval and scheduling of a significant drilling program at the Capel Mineral Sands Project in Western Australia. The program, comprising 93 air core drilling holes over approximately 2,000 metres, is set to begin on 20 May 2024. The Capel project, a brownfield heavy mineral (HM) exploration site, has already shown promising shallow mineralisation in previous drilling efforts by Iluka Resources. Noteworthy results include a mineralisation of 21 metres at 3.3 per cent HM from the surface, including 9 metres at 6.1 per cent HM from 11 metres depth. The project is strategically…
Alliance Nickel Limited (ASX:AXN) has announced that its NiWest Nickel Cobalt Project has been granted Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian federal government. The project, located near Leonora, WA, is 100 per cent owned by Alliance and is considered strategically significant, with the potential to significantly contribute to Australia's economic growth and employment opportunities. The NiWest Project, boasting one of Australia's highest-grade undeveloped nickel laterite mineral resources, is targeting annual production of 90,000 tonnes of nickel sulphate and 7,000 tonnes of cobalt sulphate. The project is expected to create approximately 600 jobs during the construction phase and an additional…
Victory Metals Limited (ASX: VTM) has announced a significant milestone in Australia's mining sector with groundbreaking metallurgical recoveries of critical magnet metals at its North Stanmore Project in Western Australia. Achieving an exceptional recovery rate of 93 per cent, the results set a new benchmark in the rare earth sector and position North Stanmore as a leader in Australia’s critical minerals landscape. The recent leach tests conducted on beneficiated samples showcased remarkable recoveries of Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Terbium (Tb), and Dysprosium (Dy). These high-purity elements are integral to advanced technological applications, including renewable energy solutions and electronic devices. Utilising…
St George Mining (ASX: SGQ) has unveiled promising new targets at its wholly-owned Destiny project in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields region. The exploration efforts have identified potential carbonatites and mafic intrusions, raising the prospect of hosting niobium (Nb), rare earth elements (REE), or nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation. A gravity survey program conducted by St George over six prominent magnetic features at the Destiny project has yielded significant results. Four of the six magnetic features have shown a high-gravity signature, suggesting they could be intrusions such as carbonatites or mafic intrusions, both known globally for hosting valuable mineralisation. These features, ranging from 0.9km…
The Queensland government has granted mining leases for a significant phosphate mine in northwest Queensland, marking a major step forward for the region's economy. North West Phosphate's Paradise South complex, located 130 kilometres northwest of Mount Isa, has been given approval, with expectations to create substantial employment opportunities and boost the local economy. The project is anticipated to generate 200 jobs during the construction phase and employ 245 workers once operational. North West Phosphate has committed to utilising local services, providing a further economic boost to northwest Queensland. Phosphorous, a key product of the mine, is essential for fertiliser production…
Rincon Resources Limited (ASX: RCR) has reported a significant breakthrough in its exploration activities at the West Arunta Project, with recent diamond drilling confirming the presence of Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG)-style mineralisation. The company's second diamond drill hole at the Pokali prospect, labelled '24WADD002,' has intersected multiple zones with moderate to intense magnetite alteration, along with quartz and sulphide veining containing copper sulphides such as chalcopyrite, bornite, and traces of native copper and rare visible gold. These findings suggest the potential for a major IOCG deposit within the Pokali area. The drill core is currently being transported to Perth…
Iron ore continues to be a significant part of Tasmania’s mineral landscape, with the state’s leading operation undergoing some expansion works to ensure it maintains its annual production of two million-plus tonnes of magnetite concentrate. Meanwhile, a short-lived project to the south is ready to recommence mining once economic conditions improve. Located 60 kilometres southwest of Burnie, Grange Resources Ltd’s (ASX:GRR) Savage River has been subjected to a definitive feasibility study (DFS) into underground extraction below the north pit and its integration with the company’s current open-cut operation. According to the miner this document has revealed some robust financial outcomes.…
Fortescue Future Industries Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (Fortescue) has entered into a Deed of Agreement with Indonesia. The Deed of Agreement provides first priority to Fortescue Future Industries to conduct development studies into the feasibility of projects utilising Indonesia’s hydropower and geothermal resources to support green industrial operations, principally for export to global markets. Subject to the completion of feasibility studies and approvals, individual projects will be developed by Fortescue Future Industriese. The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Fortescue’s Chairman Dr Andrew Forrest…
Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) has produced nine kilograms of the key permanent magnet alloy Neodymium Praeseodymium (NdPr) at its commercial pilot plant in South Korea. ASM is now progressing an agreement with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) to produce a sample 600kg of permanent magnets for Korean industry. ASM’s production of titanium and key permanent magnet metals, using its patented high purity metallisation process, has resulted in 'continued interest' from leading Korean companies and government organisations. This has led to ASM acquiring its joint venture partner, Zirconium Technology Corporation (Ziron Tech), to continue the development of their clean…
Eagle Mountain Mining Limited is about to commence its planned exploration program at its 80 per cent owned Oracle Ridge Project near Tucson, Arizona. An initial diamond drilling program for approximately 2,000 metres is expected to commence in the coming days, with the drilling contract awarded to international drilling company, Boart Longyear. The drill rig is currently undergoing regular servicing and is planned to mobilise to site in the next few days. Site access, services and initial drill pads are in place for drilling. The initial drilling program will target extensions to high-grade portions of the existing Mineral Resource Estimate…
Mayur Resources Limited’s Central Cement and Lime Project (CCL) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has taken a large step closer to development, with the PNG Government recently granting the project a 20-year mining lease. This grant is the final statutory approval required to allow construction to commence on the vertically integrated manufacturing facility, located 25 kilometres north-west of Port Moresby, which has the potential to meet 100 per cent of PNG’s cement, clinker and quicklime requirements. The project’s co-located quarry, plant site and deep draft wharf are expected to enable low operating costs while providing direct access to both seaborne…
Rio Tinto has approved an additional investment of almost $200 million to progress the next stage of the development of the lithium-borate Jadar project in Serbia. This will primarily fund the feasibility study, including the completion of detailed engineering designs, as well as permitting and land acquisition by the end of 2021, in line with the initial project schedule. Rio Tinto Energy & Minerals Chief Executive Bold Baatar said the project pipeline is an important part of the company’s vision to pursue opportunities which are part of the transition to a low-carbon future. “We look forward to working closely with…
Australian critical minerals company, Lynas Corporation Limited, has advised that Phase 1 work on a heavy rare earth separation facility in Texas has advanced to the contract phase and that Lynas and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) have signed a contract for this work. Phase 1 funding provided by the DoD will enable Lynas and its U.S. partner Blue Line to complete a detailed market and strategy study as well as detailed planning and design work for the construction of a heavy rare earth separation facility. In line with DoD Phase 1 milestones, Lynas expects this work to be…
Endeavour Mining has made further success from its ongoing exploration program at the La Plaque discovery, part of its flagship Ity mine in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, with a 43 per cent increase in Le Plaque’s Indicated resource and the confirmation of mineralisation for seven additional nearby targets. In the first half of 2020, exploration efforts continued to be focused on the Floleu license, located only 6km south of the processing plant, which hosts the Le Plaque discovery, with a total of 67,195 metres drilled. This amounts to 188,600 metres drilled on the licence since the discovery was made in…
