By John Quiggin, The University of Queensland The federal government’s announcement of a A$600 million rescue package for Glencore’s copper smelting and refining operations in Mount Isa and Townsville marks a definitive shift in Australia’s industry policy. The announcement follows the $2.4 billion rescue of the Whyalla steelworks, and a smaller assistance package for metals…
Australian space exploration company Fleet Space has announced partnerships with three quantum technology companies to develop next-generation sensors for mineral exploration. The company said on Wednesday it had partnered with mDetect, Nomad Atomics, and DeteQt to expand technology for the global mining industry by developing quantum sensors for AI-powered mineral exploration. The partnerships will advance…
The federal government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded a $19.8 million grant to support NeoSmelt – a joint venture between BlueScope, BHP, Rio Tinto, Woodside Energy and Mitsui Iron Ore Development – progress towards a planned low-emissions iron pilot plant at Kwinana. According to a statement on Tuesday from energy minister Chris Bowen…
Recycling and packaging company Visy has announced a pilot project with brewer Stone & Wood, aluminium coil supplier Novelis and metals company Rio Tinto, named “Re-In-Can-Ation”, producing a beverage can with an average of 83 per cent recycled content. In a statement on Monday, Visy said the Re-In-Can-Ation is expected to run for 18 months.…
Metals company Rio Tinto and renewable energy generation and storage provider Edify Energy have agreed to two deals aimed at increasing supply of “reliable, competitively priced electricity” to Rio’s Gladstone aluminium operations. According to a statement from Rio on Thursday, the solar and battery hybrid services agreements (HSAs) cover purchase of 90 per cent of…
The Australian government has announced a $2 billion pledge to convert the nation’s aluminium smelters to renewable energy, which it said will be transformative and mark a significant step reducing the nation’s carbon footprint and enhancing its manufacturing sector’s competitiveness on a global scale. The investment is part of a broader initiative under the “Future…
Steelmaker BlueScope and iron ore miners, BHP and Rio Tinto have selected Kwinana Industrial Area, south of Perth, to host an electric smelting furnace pilot plant, which aims to test and optimise lower-carbon emissions molten iron from Pilbara iron ore using direct reduced iron (DRI)-ESF technology. Rio said the trio assessed a number of locations…
Satellite manufacturer and space-based mineral detection company Fleet Space Technologies has closed a $150 million Series D funding round, led by Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG), an arm of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. Joined by existing investors Blackbird Ventures, Hostplus, Horizons Ventures, Artesian Venture Partners, and Alumni Ventures, the raising is one of the largest in…
Aluminium extruder Capral has successfully trialled an aluminium billet with 20 percent recycled content produced by Rio Tinto at Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL). Utilising 50 to 100 tonnes of post-production aluminium scrap from Capral’s Bremer Park extrusion plant in Southeast Queensland, Rio Tinto remelted the metal and cast it into billets, resulting in a new…
Satellite and space services company Fleet Space Technologies will collaborate with Rio Tinto to advance exploration at its Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina. Leveraging Fleet Space’s AI and satellite enabled exploration solution, ExoSphere, Rio Tinto will develop 3D subsurface maps of the reservoir, basement depth, and brine influencing structures across 100km2 of the project’s salt…