MiningLink News

Australia’s Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has begun building its first “green” hydrogen plant in Arizona, which is expected to produce up to 11,000 tonnes of the element annually. Construction of the project, dubbed Arizona Hydrogen, is part of Fortescue’s $550 million commitment to developing an electrolyzer and liquefaction facility in Phoenix, where first production of liquid green hydrogen is targeted for 2026. The world’s fourth-largest iron ore maker, which is expanding into renewable resources with its Fortescue Energy unit, said the Arizona plant is slated to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and more than 400 permanent positions once in operation. The process of producing green hydrogen is powered entirely by renewable energy. Since it doesn’t generate polluting emissions it is considered the cleanest and most sustainable form of hydrogen. “Fortescue is unashamedly a first-mover in this space, the world needs us to move quickly,” Fortescue executive chair and founder Andrew Forrest said. “But, we need to be encouraged to that, not punished. There are rules right now under consideration with the Biden Administration that would make already announced projects like this one dramatically more expensive and smaller, resulting in fewer economic opportunities and slower progress on decarbonization.” Forrest was referring to the proposed Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit, or section 45V of the US Inflation Reduction Act, which dictates how hydrogen producers qualify for the credit. The draft rules propose to limit hydrogen producers’ ability to provide project-specific information, such as upstream emissions data, when calculating the carbon intensity of their hydrogen. Instead, a national average will be used for all producers, rather than allowing them to use their actual upstream emissions data. According to opponents to these rules , they say that the eligibility for the 45V tax credit will be based on this national average carbon intensity, rather than the real emissions associated with each producer’s operations. As a result, the federal government may end up rewarding dirtier natural gas production while discouraging other producers from cleaning up their processes. “I support the Biden Administration’s goal to produce hydrogen in a way that prioritizes sustainability, however 45V, in its current form, is a straitjacket on the industry and works against the Biden Administration’s own climate goals,” Forrest said. Fortescue has been expanding its presence in the green energy market in recent months. Late last year, it approved investments of about $750 million over the next three years for the Arizona hub and two other projects: the Gladstone 50 megawatt green hydrogen project in Queensland, Australia; and the Christmas Creek green iron trial commercial plant in Western Australia. The miner has also announced its intention to build an advanced manufacturing facility in Michigan and it has opened an office in New York , called Fortescue Capital, to attract more investment into its green energy businesses. As part of the strategy to scale up its green energy unit, Fortescue said last year it would no longer allocate 10% of its net profits to this business. Instead, projects and investments will compete for capital allocation, with additional funding coming from external investors. Fortescue expects to maintain equity stakes ranging from 25% to 50% in these projects, where it will partner with outside investors.  The miner is expected to make final investment decisions on green hydrogen initiatives in northeastern Brazil and Norway before year-end. Source: https://www.mining.com/fortescue-begins-building-arizona-green-hydrogen-plant/

Firebird Metals (ASX: FRB) has provided a feasibility study for its proposed manganese sulphate operations based in China that demonstrated a low-cost producer of material used in lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries. The company has several manganese projects in Western Australia, but is aiming to lower production costs by building a plant and establishing operations in China, where it has developed relationships with several experts in the LMFP space. After assessing a number of locations, Firebird selected Jinshi, Hunan province, as the site of its battery-grade manganese sulphate production facility for the initial phase, during which it will process manganese ore provided by third parties. According to the feasibility study released on Monday, the projected capex of the Stage 1 operation is estimated at $83.5 million, with another $10.6 million pegged for working capital. The Stage 1 plant will have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of battery-grade manganese sulphate (MnSO4) and 10,000 tpa of manganese tetra oxide (Mn3O4), or the equivalent of 72,500 tpa MnSO4. The company will rely on the circular industry and plant location within the Jinshi High-Tech Industrial Park, which has localized key reagents and inputs that can drive a low opex of approximately $609/mt for MnSO4. The price of MnSO4 referenced in the feasibility report is $1,419/mt. “The company has been buoyed by the incredible level of support and interest received from key government agencies and tier-one banks in assisting us establish operations in China,” Firebird managing director Peter Allen said in a news release. “With their support, Firebird is well-positioned to deliver on key remaining development and financing milestones to meet our objective of commencing operations in China in Q4 2025,” he said, adding that this support also extends to ongoing discussions regarding third-party manganese offtake for Stage 1. In Stage 2, Firebird will transition to processing ore from its Oakover project, located 85 km east of Newman in the East Pilbara manganese province. The production capacity is expected to rise to 300,000 tpa MnSO4 for the Chinese cathode market plus 100,000 tpa MnSO4 for Western markets.  An August 2023 a scoping study for the Oakover project indicated an 18-year mine capable of producing 1.2 million tonnes of 30-32% pure manganese concentrate annually. The deposit has a measured resource of 172 million tonnes at 9.9% manganese and an indicated resource of 105.8 million tonnes at 10.1% manganese. Source: https://www.mining.com/firebird-metals-confirms-low-cost-chinese-manganese-operation-with-feasibility-study/

BUMA deploys operational technology to ensure the best client outcomes. Mining services provider BUMA offers comprehensive end-to-end services to its clients throughout Queensland with ongoing support from its technology solution partner, Aptella . With a focus on safety and collaboration, BUMA has rapidly expanded its use of operational technology in recent years, tailoring solutions to meet the requirements of each client and project. Jack Walker leads operational technology initiatives across BUMA sites, providing solutions and offering comprehensive support for technology incorporated into the day to day running of a mine. “As a mining services provider we partner with our clients over the long term and our commitment is to deliver on their evolving objectives,” Walker said. BUMA’s scope and scale of operations are varied and dynamic, offering tailored mining service solutions to clients. These range from comprehensive full scope services to fulfilling specific requirements such as integration with a client’s fully autonomous fleet, rehabilitation services and asset maintenance. “We take pride in our ability to adapt our approach and be agile, quickly mobilising to address new requirements or meet changing project demands,” Walker said. Responsible for examining the latest advancements in technology, Walker engages with external stakeholders to seek solutions that optimise performance, asset management and rural network connectivity. Collaboration with all major departments, particularly asset technology, allows the business to work cohesively and deliver well-rounded solutions. BUMA’s journey into operational technology stems from a fundamental focus on taking care of its people, company assets including trucks, excavators and dozers, and the mine itself. “Safety is the number one value at BUMA. We continuously look to integrate and utilise technology to create a secure working environment for all employees, both our own and our clients’,” Walker said. The use of high precision machine guidance for excavators and dozers, coupled with survey solutions, machine health monitoring, and site networking, enhances the efficiency of the mine and lifespan of the machinery. “Optimising the safety of our people, as well as the health and performance of our equipment, ultimately leads to improved pit compliance and extraction,” Walker said. “That in turn translates to higher quality outcomes for clients, both in the short- and long-term.” As a growing company, BUMA focuses on downstream technologies that materially support strategic mine planning. Survey, machine guidance and drone technology help to ensure accurate and safe mine designs that enhance overall efficiency. Additionally, BUMA is investing in modern network infrastructure to maintain dataflow and real-time operations. In choosing a technology provider, Walker said it was important the company aligned with BUMA’s agile, tailored approach. After years of successful deployment at the Commodore mine, near Toowoomba in Queensland, Aptella (formerly Position Partners) has supported BUMA’s expansion of technology across all sites, with rapid deployment within a six-month period. “We value Aptella’s adaptability, aligning with BUMA’s commitment to client needs,” Walker said. “Aptella’s agnostic products provide us with a wide range of solutions across various mining functions, enabling us to choose and deploy the best tools for each project.” Aptella mining business executive manager Andrew Granger said the company deeply values its collaborative working relationship with BUMA. “As a company that lives and breathes its commitments to safety and progress, it has been a privilege to support BUMA’s growth by providing end-to-end technology services to meet their evolving needs,” he said. As a multi-solution distributor with offices throughout Australia, South-East Asia, and New Zealand, Aptella has a strong commitment to providing local service and support capabilities to customers. Like BUMA, Aptella recognises that every site and client has unique requirements when it comes to both the technology, service and support that will suit them best. “Our approach is to listen to customer challenges and understand desired outcomes, first and foremost,” Granger said. “We then innovate to source and deploy the best, fit-for-purpose technology to help deliver those outcomes and support our customers over the long-term.” Aptella provides BUMA with 24–7 asset monitoring and support, which includes access to Aptella’s remote access platform that enables technicians to contact, troubleshoot and resolve issues remotely. This service provides BUMA with fast, proactive support, and is backed by a local team of technicians who can deliver site maintenance and training.  “In the dynamic industry that is mining, unplanned maintenance is part of the journey,” Walker said. “Having Aptella’s readily-deployable resources make a significant difference, enabling us to address any issues quickly, minimising disruption and ensuring smooth operations.” Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/an-end-to-end-technology-solution/

The Australian mining sector is thriving amid the advent of digital technologies, with paper-based systems largely a thing of the past. As digital capabilities continues to evolve, so are the resource industry’s needs for such infrastructure, with achieving greater productivity, safety and sustainability paramount operational considerations. Do you have an inspired digital offering the mining sector needs to hear about? The July edition of Australian Mining will showcase the digital innovations and processes that are enabling mining companies and contractors to realise a more streamlined operation. Australian Mining is an official media partner of QME, meaning the July edition will be distributed at the conference, providing additional reach for your content and branding. The July edition will also give QME exhibitors the opportunity promote their participation at the event, with the ability to detail your stall location and any key products and messages you are looking to convey. The offer includes: 1 x full-page advertisement for July edition of Australian Mining (ad to be supplied). 1 x editorial piece in Australian Mining (to appear as part of ‘digital mining’ feature) Editorial to be written for you by an Australian Mining journalist Editorial to appear on Australian Mining website and be distributed through its e-newsletter and social media channels.  Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/minings-most-inspired-digital-innovations/

Glencore has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its controlling stake in Volcan Compañia Minera, one of the largest producers of zinc, lead, and silver in the world. Glencore is selling its 55.03 per cent stake to Transition Metals AG, a subsidiary of Integra Capital, a financial and investment firm that has invested in a diversified portfolio in Argentina and beyond. “As part of the transaction, Transition Metals will pay Glencore $US20 million and Glencore has agreed to provide a secured facility of up to $US40 million to fund certain mandatory tender offer obligations of Transition Metals pursuant to applicable Peruvian laws and regulations,” Glencore said in a statement. “The transaction is not subject to any regulatory approvals and is expected to close this week.” Glencore first acquired a stake in Volcan in November 2017 via a purchase offer at $US1.215 per A share. At the end of the offer, Glencore acquired 36.92 per cent of the class A common shares, leading the company to hold 55.03 per cent of the total class A common shares. The company also gained 23.29 per cent of the class B common shares, which excluded treasury shares. Volcan is currently operating 12 mines and eight plants across five mining units. All of its operations are located in the Central Sierra of Peru and the company holds 29.7 million tonnes in total mineral reserves and 470.8 million tonnes in total mineral resources, as of 2023. In other news, Glencore recently welcomed top-end profits and a copper boost, just in time for global demand to take off.  Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/glencore-divests-volcan-stake/

Energy solutions company Aggreko has completed the construction and commissioning phase of a new 4.4 megawatt (MW) solar farm. The solar farm utilises 5B Maverick PV panels , as well as two Aggreko Y.Cube battery energy storage systems, which will supply renewable power to Northern Star Resources’ Porphyry gold mine in Western Australia under a long term power purchase agreement. The Porphyry project is part of Northern Star Resources’ Carosue Dam Operations. The existing 5MW diesel power station – owned and operated by Aggreko – has been connected and integrated with the new solar farm and BESS to create Aggreko’s second thermal renewable hybrid power station in WA. “The new solar array was commissioned in February 2024 and is set to produce about 7.4 gigawatt hours of renewable energy each year – saving 1.67 million litres of diesel fuel and 4486 metric tonnes of CO 2 emissions annually,” Aggreko managing director Asia Pacific George Whyte said. “We worked closely with 5B to supply a relocatable solar plant, which seamlessly integrates renewables with conventional power sources. This ensures a reliable and sustainable energy supply, while optimising cost effectiveness.” Aggreko’s environmental, safety and governance (ESG) strategy is underpinned by two goals: net-zero emissions from facilities and operations by 2035 a 30 per cent reduction in the emissions intensity of energy solutions by 2030. These environmental commitments sit alongside the company’s social and governance commitments: investing in its own skills and communities and being an ethical and transparent business. Northern Star Resources’ Carosue Dam Operations general manager, John Albrecht said the solar PV power will help boost the operation’s financial and environmental footprint.  “The off-grid power solution implemented provides a reliable, and cost-effective solution that can be scaled up and down as needed throughout our mine’s operational life cycle,” he said. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/aggreko-strikes-gold-at-porphyry/

Victoria’s 2024–25 Budget was released yesterday, with industry players reacting with mixed reviews. The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) said the Budget provides some positive developments for Victoria’s mining industry, but warned a lack of funding for smaller projects could prove costly. In particular, the MCA highlighted the absence of funding for the critical minerals grants program announced in the 2022 Budget. “Modest grants for exploration, research, and innovative technologies are essential to ensure Victoria capitalises on opportunities to integrate into renewable energy and high-tech supply chains,” the MCA said . However, the Budget has allocated $44 million in base funding to help grow the Victorian critical minerals industry, which the MCA said is a step in the right direction. “MCA Victoria acknowledges the $44 million in base funding provided in the Budget for Resources Victoria to help grow the Victorian critical minerals industry and fund an efficient regulator, for which the MCA has long advocated,” the MCA said. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to make no changes to the existing royalties scheme. “The2024-25 Victorian Budget makes no changes to the existing royalties scheme, and no increases in fees and charges for miners and explorers, but there remains a lack of clarity around the state’s critical minerals ambitions and objectives,” AMEC chief executive officer Warren Pearce said . “With $44.7 million in new sector funding, this budget builds on last years $23.3 million for the Victorian resources industry to continue building regulator capability and approvals capacity and efficiency, along with ensuring delivery of its regulatory reform amendments.” Like the MCA, AMEC highlighted the need for more critical minerals funding. “While this should help Government be more efficient, we would like to see more real support for critical minerals,” Pearce said. “Unlike most other jurisdictions in Australia, Victoria has yet to outline a prescriptive critical minerals strategy, despite having a considerable mineral endowment including antimony, lithium, copper, tungsten, tin and mineral sands (including rare earth elements).”  Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/victorian-budget-brings-in-mixed-mining-reviews/

Epiroc has signed a non-exclusive distributor agreement with Toranomon Corporation, a Japanese sales and rental company. The partnership intends to strengthen Epiroc’s presence in Japan’s booming underground civil construction segment. For more than a decade, Toranomon has worked solely with Epiroc equipment, primarily focusing on sales and rental of the technologically advanced and appreciated Boomer face drilling rigs. The new partnership between the two companies also acts as an extension to the business relationship Epiroc and Toranomon have shared over the last several years. “Toranomon’s extensive market expertise, strong position, as well as their high contractor engagement within the tunnelling segment, makes this a strategically important partnership for Epiroc,” Epiroc underground division vice president sales and marketing Sarah Hoffman said . The non-exclusive distributor agreement was signed at the end of 2023 and will provide strengthened after-market support for Epiroc customers in Japan with the help of Toranomon’s large service organisation. “We are delighted to start this closer relationship,” Toranomon Construction Machinery chief executive officer Koki Sakurai said. “Japan’s civil tunnelling is deeply safety driven, while project demands are growing at high speed. The population of Japanese tunnel workers are decreasing, and our local customers appreciate Epiroc’s advanced rigs that provide fast and accurate drilling.” Epiroc underground division global business development manager civil construction Ulf Sundberg echoed similar sentiments. “With this agreement in place, we are proud to offer solutions and services that will improve safety, innovation, and sustainability within the underground civil construction segment,” Sundberg said. “We see great potential in utilising automation and monitoring technologies to a greater extent in the Japanese tunnelling segment, where challenging rock conditions are frequently met.”  Epiroc recently announced that its SmartROC C50 surface drill rig is now available with a standard feed and a long feed. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/epiroc-and-toranomon-deepen-ties/

Queensland is set to welcome a host of new critical minerals projects thanks to millions in funding from the Queensland Government. The funding comes from a $2.67 million Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Collaborative Project Fund and the latest round of the $4.6 million Collaborative Exploration Initiative (CEI). The CEI will provide funding of up to $300,000 to 18 successfully chosen projects across regional Queensland including near Chillagoe, Cloncurry, Mount Isa and Townsville. Nearly three quarters of all successful projects are involved in the discovery of new copper deposits, an essential resource for many types of clean energy “By facilitating these exploratory projects, we are not only laying the groundwork for economic prosperity but also reinforcing Queensland’s position as a key player in the global resources market,” Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said . The $2.67 million METS Collaborative Project Fund invites researchers, government agencies, resource companies and industry groups to come together to tackle challenges in the sector. Grants between $50,000 and $300,000 are on offer, and projects that address environmental issues, emissions management, renewable energy and safety will be prioritised. “We’re inviting funding proposals that aim to improve emissions and support Queensland’s transition to renewable energies and improve mine site safety,” Queensland Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said . “We aim to champion initiatives that focus on global industry challenges such as automation, mine rehabilitation, reducing emissions across the resources supply chain, and collaborating with resource companies to pilot ground-breaking technologies.”  Previous funding has gone to projects that have used machine learning algorithms to find the best way to predict the mineral content of ore bodies; and the installation of sensors to monitor wear and maintenance of mine site conveyor belts. Source: https://www.australianmining.com.au/queensland-critical-minerals-boosted-by-millions/