Arafura closes in on rare earths production

The new kid on the rare earths block Arafura Rare Earths is underway with early works construction at its Nolans rare earths project, 135 kilometres from Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. According to a recent update, Arafura is advancing enabling works and equipment procurement including sulphanation bake and cooler units, funded by its successful…

Spiral Blue edge computer proven in space

Edge computer manufacturer Spiral Blue has announced what it calls a major breakthrough in the field of space-based Earth observation (EO). The company released operational data from successfully running proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in space, ‘opening up new horizons for AI-powered advancements in monitoring and understanding our planet’. This comes after making history in…

Senator Fawcett grills bureaucrats and governments on defence procurement

By Peter Roberts Occasionally a Senator provides a powerful demonstration of the value of Senate Estimates hearings to lay bare the inconsistencies and contradictions that prevent governments from achieving their aims. Last week we witnessed just such a seminal performance by South Australian Liberal Senator David Fawcett who calmly and methodically uncovered the gulf between…

Bushmasters cross the ditch to NZ

The first of an order for 43 Thales Bushmaster protected vehicles has arrived across the Tasman in an order for the New Zealand Army. The first 18 Bushmaster 5.5 vehicles which were developed and manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria arrived in NZ where they are replacing outdated Pinzgauer military utility vehicles. According to the Army, the…