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  1. 9 hrs ago

    Australian Indigenous group appeals Fortescue mining compensation ruling, seeks $1.3bn

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Australia's Yindjibarndi Indigenous group said on Wednesday it had lodged an appeal with the federal court over the amount of compensation awarded against Fortescue for mining on their lands without an agreement since 2012. The Yindjibarndi people brought a claim against the miner and the Western Australian state government for A$1-billion ($718-million) in cultural loss and in excess of A$800-million in economic loss, arguing it should be paid a share of the profits from the mine. An Australian court in May ordered Fortescue, the world's fourth-biggest iron-ore miner, to pay A$150-million in compensation to the group for cultural losses caused by mining. It also awarded A$136 757 for economic losses, and A$217 152 in compound interest on the economic loss amount. The decision marked one of the largest ever payouts in Australia's history brought under native title laws recognising Indigenous rights and interests in certain parcels of land. On Wednesday, the Western Australia Attorney General Tony Buti said the state government had also filed an appeal of the decision. "Native title compensation is a complex and emerging area, and it is important that we have clarity on the law to support future negotiations and native title settlements across the State," he said in a statement. Australia is the world's largest iron-ore producer, most of which comes from Western Australia's Pilbara region which is the traditional home of dozens of Indigenous groups. Miners have been updating their agreements with these groups since Rio Tinto destroyed two culturally significant rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in 2020, triggering a reckoning about cultural heritage damage and compensation. Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation (YNAC) CEO Michael Woodley said YNAC's appeal related to the amounts awarded by the court for both economic and cultural loss. The group argues the court should have tied its compensation to typical royalty payments under Pilbara native title agreements. Instead, it assessed economic loss based on the value of the land, but disregarded any value for the iron-ore deposits. It also argues that it is entitled to compensation for social division in its community caused by the mine. In its full judgment, the Federal Court found that significant damage had been done to Yindjibarndi song lines and other areas of cultural heritage, including 240 sites designated by Fortescue as heritage places, of which 124 had been completely destroyed. Song lines are routes of cultural significance across the country. The court noted that this damage was legal and approved through government processes, but without the approval of YNAC, which holds exclusive native title rights over the land. Fortescue has continued to mine on Yindjibarndi native title land since 2012 without an Indigenous Land Use Agreement or any other agreement with YNAC, the group said. Fortescue declined to comment but has previously said it sought to reach settlement with YNAC for 15 years and has paid the awarded sum.

  2. 1 day ago

    FireFly to raise A$180m backed by solid Green Bay PEA

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. ASX- and TSX-listed FireFly Metals has cemented a strong financial position with a new A$180-million Australian institutional placement and Canadian bought deal financing which it intends to use for advancing the Green Bay copper/gold project, in Canada. The company will issue about 101-million fully paid ordinary shares at a price of A$1.78, or C$1.76, apiece. The equity raising, which entails a A$150-million ASX institutional placement and a Canadian 'bought deal' private placement of A$30-million, or C$29.6-million, will support early project works, procurement of long-lead items and a feasibility study on a 1.8-million-tonne-a-year processing scenario for Green Bay. FireFly is also undertaking a prefeasibility study on a larger 4.6-million-tonne-a-year processing scenario and further resource growth. A final investment decision on Green Bay is expected by mid-2027. "The raising ensures that we can continue unlocking the value of Green Bay in an expedited manner. This strategy involves pursuing several avenues of growth and development in parallel, ranging from ongoing exploration through to feasibility studies and ordering long-lead items. "We can implement this rapid value creation strategy knowing we have a very strong balance sheet which enables us to capitalise fully on the exceptional asset we have at Green Bay and the huge macro-opportunity emerging in the copper market," says FireFly MD Steve Parsons. Moreover, FireFly intends to invite eligible shareholders to participate in a non-underwritten share purchase plan to raise an additional A$10-million at the same offer price as the institutional placement. FireFly's preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on Green Bay establishes the project's potential as one of the best undeveloped copper projects in the world based on its high-grade resource, production profile, growth outlook and superior financial returns, Parsons explains. In the PEA's base case production scenario of 1.8-million tonnes a year, or 4 800 t/d, the restart of production at Green Bay Ming mine for a capital cost of A$513-million has an after-tax net present value (NPV) of A$2.2-billion and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 42% over an initial 32-year mine life. The payback period is estimated to be 1.9 years. In this scenario the project can produce 50 000 t of copper-equivalent over a 14-year period at steady state, generating after-tax yearly free cashflow of about A$290-million. In the 4.6-million-tonne-a-year, or 12 500 t/d, scenario, the after-tax NPV grows to A$3-billion and the IRR reaches 40% over an initial 22-year mine life. This scenario anticipates production of 90 000 t/y of copper-equivalent metal over an 11-year period at steady state, which can generate A$550-million of after-tax free cashflow every year. For expansion capital of A$476-million - which can mostly be funded from the 1.8-million-tonne-a-year base case cashflow - the expanded production scenario has a payback period of 3.7 years. The Green Bay project is underpinned by a revised independent mineral resource estimate of 60.2-million tonnes grading 2.4% copper-equivalent in the measured and indicated resource categories, and a further 23.5-million tonnes grading 2.5% copper-equivalent in the inferred category. Parsons confirms that continued expansion of the upper Ming mine level high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide and core zone has the potential to significantly extend high-grade production beyond peak years and further enhance project economics earlier in the mine life. FireFly currently has six drill rigs focused on underground high-grade expansions for further resource growth. On a district scale, the company is also drilling on several high-priority historical copper and gold tar...

  3. 1 day ago

    CSIR tests digital rock-sounding technology at Harmony Gold's Mponeng Mine

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through the Mandela Mining Precinct's advanced orebody knowledge programme, has completed an underground proof-of-concept field test of an innovative acoustic rock-sounding application at Harmony Gold's Mponeng mine. Mponeng is the deepest mine in the world. The field trial was concluded in collaboration with the mine's rock engineering team. It is described as marking an important step towards the digitalisation of underground workplace examination and fall-of-ground (FoG) risk management practices. "The Mponeng field test provided valuable real-world insight into how the acoustic rock-sounding application performs in an underground mining environment," CSIR project lead Heinrich Greeff reported in a release to Mining Weekly, in which he added that it confirmed the technical feasibility of the concept while also identifying the practical refinements required before operational deployment. "Innovation plays a critical role in our drive towards safer mining. The successful field test at Mponeng demonstrates the potential of digital technologies to strengthen workplace examinations and support informed ground control decisions. We're pleased to collaborate with the CSIR and other technology partners in exploring practical solutions that can contribute to improved underground safety," Harmony Gold added. Barring and rock sounding remain critical activities used by mineworkers to identify and remove potentially loose or hazardous rock. While experienced personnel are highly skilled in recognising sounding responses, interpretation can vary between individuals and may be influenced by environmental conditions such as underground noise and fatigue. The acoustic rock-sounding application aims to support existing workplace examination practices by providing a consistent, data-driven assessment of acoustic responses generated when rock is struck during sounding activities. Developed through a collaborative research initiative between the CSIR and Peralex Electronics, the application uses acoustic signal processing and machine-learning techniques to analyse rock-sounding responses and classify them according to characteristics associated with solid or potentially loose ground conditions. The technology is intended to complement, rather than replace, the expertise and judgement of trained underground personnel. The Mponeng field test successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of the concept under real mining conditions. Core application functions, including underground audio recording, acoustic classification, confidence scoring, event logging, offline operation and data export, were successfully evaluated. The trial also provided valuable practical insights that will guide future development and optimisation of the technology. By digitally capturing and storing acoustic strike data, the system establishes a foundation for trend analysis, hazard tracking and future integration with spatially referenced ground control and risk management systems. The long-term vision is to develop a platform capable of supporting proactive ground control decisions, workplace examinations and rock engineering reviews through enhanced hazard intelligence. FoGs remain one of the most critical safety risks in deep-level mining. The acoustic rock-sounding application contributes to FoG risk management by supporting: more consistent interpretation of acoustic rock responses; improved digital recording of barring and sounding activity; future auditing of where and how sounding has been conducted; development of datasets that can support improved model training and future hazard intelligence; andpotential future integration with spatial positioning sys...

  4. 2 days ago

    Palladium demand support may emerge from zero-emission review, Heraeus reports

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. The UK's review of its zero-emission vehicle mandate could provide some support to automotive palladium demand If manufacturers are given greater flexibility over the pace of battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption, Heraeus states in its latest precious metals review. In a policy review that could see the UK follow the EU in easing requirements, the UK has embarked on consultation regarding the appropriateness of its current annual zero-emission targets remaining in place as BEV sales fall short. Hybrid vehicles are likely to be among the main beneficiaries. Their 37.7% share of UK registrations in the first six months to June 30, with plug-in hybrids adding a further 13%, is already significant. This mirrors the European market, where hybrid electric vehicles were also the most popular powertrain in the same period, with a 37.3% share of European Union registrations. Greater regulatory flexibility could therefore prolong demand for palladium-containing autocatalysts as consumers transition through hybrid vehicles rather than directly from internal combustion engine vehicles to BEVs. However, this would slow the erosion of automotive palladium demand rather than reverse its longer-term decline as the market moves towards zero-emission vehicles, Heraeus points out in a release to Mining Weekly. Autocatalysts, also known as catalytic converters, are vehicle exhaust devices that use platinum group metals (PGMs) to transform harmful engine gases into harmless atmospheric elements. In the first half of this year, battery electric vehicles accounted for 25% of UK new car registrations, 8% below the headline 33% mandate target for 2026, although manufacturers have several compliance flexibilities available. Remaining unchanged are the UK commitments to phasing out new conventional petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and require all new cars and vans to be emission free by 2035. Under the current mandate, 33% of manufacturers' new car registrations must be zero-emission in 2026, rising to 80% by 2030, with petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles counting as non- zero-emission vehicles. Palladium's recent price rally has stalled after failing to hold above resistance. The price climbed from around $1 150/ oz in late June to almost $1 400/oz in early August, but has since fallen back and is currently testing resistance around $1 335/oz. Palladium's 100-day moving average at about $1 350/oz. PLATINUM BREAKS RESISTANCE Platinum, Heraeus points out, broke resistance around the $1 800/oz price mark after extending its recovery from July lows. The price has risen from around $1 550/oz in early July and briefly moved above $1 900/oz last week for the first time since June, but has so far struggled to hold above this level. The 200-day moving average, currently at around $1,920/oz, could add resistance to a further move higher. A sustained move through this area would strengthen the recovery. RHODIUM, RUTHENIUM, IRIDIUM The prices of rhodium, ruthenium and iridium PGMs have remained flat, with rhodium at $9200/oz, ruthenium at $1 745/oz and iridium at $8 300/oz. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers use iridium and platinum catalysts, while ruthenium could also benefit if emerging lower-iridium, ruthenium-based anode technologies achieve commercial adoption. GOLD Gold prices rallied to their highest level since early June last week after breaking above recent resistance. Gold prices topped $4 600/oz on August 21 as prices once again moved higher after a couple of weeks of consolidation. This mirrors the early-August rally where gold prices rose around 7%, after having spent the whole of July in a tight range near their yearly lows around $4 000/oz. The Bank of Korea has made its first gold investm...

  5. 2 days ago

    British firm offers to restart mothballed Australian manganese smelter

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Natrium Redox Technologies, a green technology startup based in Britain, said on Monday it had made a firm proposal to the Tasmanian government to acquire and restart Australia's only manganese smelter, to supply global battery and electric vehicle markets. EY Parthenon said last month the Liberty Bell Bay (LBB) Smelter would close after a proposed sale fell through. The smelter, formerly owned by British industrialist Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance, entered voluntary administration in March and liquidation this month after suspending operations mid-last year. "We have engaged with EY Parthenon and the Tasmanian government on this proposal for six months. We have also briefed the federal government," Natrium Redox Technologies said in a statement. "Our restart proposal seeks shared input of funds with government to the level of A$15-million ($10.75-million) for a 16-week restart period and a continuation of the existing electricity contract." In a statement, Tasmanian Business Minister Felix Ellis said potential pathways for the site had been put forward, but no transaction has been completed and no commitments were made. "EY currently controls the site as liquidator, which includes decisions about its sale," he said. EY Parthenon had no immediate comment. Natrium Redox Technologies said it planned initially to use conventional smelting techniques to restart the smelter before building a pilot plant that would use new technology to produce high-purity, low-emissions manganese powder. The process uses liquid sodium in place of coking coal to strip oxygen from manganese ore. It operates at lower temperatures than traditional smelting and does not produce carbon emissions. The new technology would add 20% to 40% to the site's production and lift the smelter up the value chain from being a conventional alloy smelter into one of the highest-value manganese operations in the world by producing battery-grade materials, the company said. "Battery grade materials sell for a far higher price than conventional alloys, securing LBB's financial future and ensuring it remains a strategically important critical minerals asset for Australia." Its proposal would provide more than 200 jobs previously linked with the smelter, as well as secure others during construction, Natrium Redox Technologies said. It also has a proposal to reprocess a A$210-million environmental liability that has accumulated from decades of slag and waste, removing environmental liabilities from the government, it said. The company emphasised that time was of the essence because the longer furnaces are idled, the harder and more expensive a restart would become.

  6. 5 days ago

    Minerals Council hails launch of partnership to unlock growth, jobs, confidence

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Minerals Council South Africa has responded exceedingly positively to the launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the third phase of South Africa's Government-Business Partnership for Growth and Jobs, which marks the next chapter of a joint effort between government and business to accelerate inclusive economic growth, unlock investment, strengthen confidence and create jobs. The goal is to lift South Africa's economic growth to 3% by 2030 and create one-million jobs. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.) Unlocking R50-billion in capital currently tied up in planned projects facing delays has been flagged along with restoring investor confidence in mining, which has been singled out as the major driver of economic growth. Phase three will be about deepening implementation, embedding reforms already undertaken to ensure that progress cannot be reversed. "This phase must be defined by disciplined execution. Every workstream must have clear objectives, measurable targets, firm timelines and accountable leaders. Progress must be monitored regularly and reported transparently. Where implementation falls behind, we must intervene rapidly. "Where policies or regulations are holding back investment without serving a legitimate public purpose, they must be reviewed. Where institutional capacity is weak, it must be strengthened. "Where corruption or vested interests obstruct progress, they must be confronted. We must maintain the highest standards of governance and public integrity," Ramaphosa emphasised at the launch. Commenting on the development, Minerals Council South Africa president Paul Dunne said in a video release to Mining Weekly: "Our President has just launched the Government-Business Partnership phase three, which will be focused on inclusive economic growth, jobs, and confidence. Mining will take its rightful place on the programme. As you all know, we're a very strong economic force, a primary industry with a strong economic multiplier and an excellent capacity to create real jobs." Minerals Council South Africa president CEO Mzila Mthenjane, who is also the mining workstream's Focal Area Lead, added: "Really happy this afternoon to be at the phase-three launch of the partnership, where mining is one of the four growth drivers that has been identified and it is on the list of sectors that will be very key to driving South Africa's future economy. "What is really exciting about this is the confidence that it's showing in the success that has been achieved so far with electricity as well as logistics reform and we're also seeing the progress that is being made on crime and corruption. "It's really exciting for mining. We've always had a huge sense of belief and conviction in the ability of mining to deliver significant growth and benefit to society in terms of employment creation, in terms of livelihood support, looking at the multiplier effect. "Of course, in this day and age of demand for the minerals, not only for technology but also for infrastructure within South Africa, in Southern Africa, this bodes very well for mining going forward over the next 20 to 30 years, and that is really the outlook that we have, that mining over those next 20 to 30 years will be delivering significant benefits for South Africans," Mthenjane pointed out. Minerals Council South Africa senior executive Shamini Harrington described mining as one of South Africa's greatest opportunities for the future. "Its inclusion in phase three of the partnership recognises that unlocking growth, investment and jobs depends on unlocking the full potential of the sector. "At a time of rising global demand for critical minerals, the moment is definitely now. Working in partnership with the DMPR and government, we have a ...

  7. 5 days ago

    Martin Creamer talks about Hive Hydrogen, Exxaro and DRDGold developments

    Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer unpacks the latest updates on the $5.8-billion green hydrogen-ammonia project in Nelson Mandela Bay, Exxaro scaling its renewable-energy business; and DRDGold’s very good year.

  8. 5 days ago

    MIT-spinout SiTration, BHP start trialling copper recovery from legacy mine water

    This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a global leader in process and laboratory measurement technology, offering a broad portfolio of instruments, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Further to Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinout SiTration and global miner BHP's initiative to trial valorisation technology in the historic Globe-Miami mining district of Arizona, the companies have announced two pilot deployments at BHP's Copper Cities site. Starting this month, SiTration and BHP will validate continuous and autonomous production of copper from legacy mining water over one month using an initial small-scale pilot plant. A larger deployment is planned for later this year to produce up to two tonnes of commercial-scale copper cathodes over a two-month period. The historic Copper Cities site produced almost 400 000 t of copper between the 1950s and 1980s. Today, SiTration and BHP see an opportunity to recover value from legacy mining assets such as these, with the potential to create new pathways for domestic US copper supply. Through bench-scale testing using real feedstock from the site, SiTration has already demonstrated London Metal Exchange Grade A copper production without using any chemicals or generating new waste products. Additionally, preliminary tests have yielded energy consumption below 4 kWh/kg to recover copper from the diluted legacy mine water. SiTration CEO and co-founder Brendan Smith believes the American Southwest region houses billions of dollars' worth of copper in legacy mining water. "With global copper demand projected to grow by 70% by 2050, tapping into these resources is an excellent pathway to bolster domestic supply chains while producing copper at the bottom of the global cost curve." BHP legacy assets GM Kevin Ramsay adds that the Copper Cities pilot provides an opportunity to evaluate an innovative approach to recover copper from mining-impacted water while generating valuable technical and operational insights. "We are excited to work with SiTration to test this technology under real operating conditions and better understand its potential to recover value from legacy mining water sources."

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MiningWeekly.com provides real time news reportage through originated written & video material. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Mining Weekly at the end of each day.

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