Mining

Price pullbackVale’s rapid restart may rope iron ore bulls

Vale produced more iron ore than expected last quarter amid a record haul at its newer mines in northern Brazil, in the latest sign of rising supplies that have stalled a rally in prices.

James Attwood and Luana Vicentina

Nickel queryASX issues ‘please explain’ to Estrella Resources

The Goldfields-focused nickel hopeful riding a wave of investor support after a recent nickel-copper sulphide discovery has been asked to explain itself after a sharp rise in its share price.

Jason Mennell

On trackSouth Flank on schedule despite heritage talks: BHP

The mining giant has reiterated expectations for first ore from the $US3.1b sustaining project to be achieved by the middle of next year.

Stuart McKinnon

Stepping downWhy Welborn parted ways with Resolute Mining

Resolute Mining has parted ways with its high-profile managing director John Welborn. The gold miner’s chairman spoke exclusively to The West Australian about the reasons that led to his departure.

Stuart McKinnon, Daniel Newell

MiningWA 'must seek' Aboriginal heritage reform

Western Australia's government has urged the heritage industry to swallow its concerns about the new draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act.

Michael Ramsey

Back to marketCashed-up South32 resumes stock buybacks

The diversified commodities producer still has $US121m of a $US1.43b buyback program to spend after suspending the initiative at the start of the pandemic.

Stuart McKinnon

Contractor dealCIMIC offloads 50pc of Thiess to Elliott

The deal, made near the top of the market, will net the contracting giant up to $1.9b in cash.

Stuart McKinnon

Boot buyTwiggy buys iconic Aussie brand R.M. Williams

Mining billionaire’s Tatterang is understood to have paid slightly less than $200m for Adelaide-based company renowned for its high quality boots

Stuart McKinnon

Line drawnMining lobby rejects heritage genocide claims

The Minerals Council of Australia has responded to assertions by WA Senator Pat Dodson that the mining sector had embarked on a campaign of incremental genocide of Indigenous heritage.

Stuart McKinnon

Drilling successDDH1 eyes ASX listing as minerals sector booms

Drilling contractor’s co-founders Murray Pollock and Matt Thurston consider initial public offering as part of growth plans.

Stuart McKinnon

Upbeat sentimentDiggers & Dealers evokes cheer of yesteryear

SPINIFEX: Buoyant mood and local focus makes for a happier affair at this year’s Kalgoorlie conference.

SPINIFEX Stuart McKinnon

Tough questionRio boss stumbles over Perth head office question

Mining giant’s outgoing boss, Jean-Sebastien Jacques, struggles to answer whether the Juukan Gorge shelter debacle might have been different had Rio’s headquarters been located in Perth.

Stuart McKinnon

Heritage impactsJuukan fallout set to push back Rio’s Winu copper plans

The miner has warned that changes to its Indigenous engagement processes following the Juukan Gorge disaster are likely to delay plans to bring the copper and gold project into production.

Stuart McKinnon

Safety focusThe changing role of mining contractors

The role of contractors is changing in the resources sector as companies increasingly rely on external workers to uphold compliance targets, according to Coates Hire chief executive Murray Vitlich.

Kate Purnell

Q4 warningRising costs blight Alcoa’s earnings surprise

Alcoa has projected a fourth-quarter decline in its aluminium business amid rising costs, overshadowing better-than-expected earnings.

Joe Deaux

New roleRio seeks WA engineer for ‘cave assessment’

Rio Tinto is looking to hire a senior engineer for ‘cave assessment’ following the Juukan Gorge disaster, which claimed the scalps of three senior executives including its CEO.

Danielle Le Messurier

Golden glowThe top five takeaways from this year’s Diggers

In a year marred by droughts, bushfires, a global pandemic and the resulting economic downturn, Australia hasn’t had a lot to be optimistic about in 2020. But there were plenty of smiles at Diggers.

Tess Ingram and Josh Chiat

Shopping listFuture looks golden for King of the Hills

Northern Goldfields-focused Red 5 is hailing a “transitional year” for the company as it charges ahead with plans to develop a standalone plant at its King of the Hills goldmine near Leonora.

Jason Mennell

Almost thereBellevue bullish on production

A cashed-up, emerging producer intent on bringing an historic mine near Leinster back into production hopes it will be close to mining the project this time next year.

Jason Mennell

Winners revealedRinehart breaks new ground again with Diggers honour

Australia’s richest person has made history again, becoming the first woman to take out the GJ Stokes Memorial Award at the annual conference.

Josh Chiat

Mining'Time of great opportunity': BHP chair

BHP's chair says it is a "time of great opportunity" for the mining giant, because many of the world's challenges can be answered with its resources.

OUTCAST LOVEDBHP bosses power up Nickel West for green future

BHP’s top bosses have painted a bright future for former outcast Nickel West amid talk the WA operation is being spruced up for a major supply deal with US electric cars billionaire Elon Musk.

Neale Prior

‘Monumental mistake’Wyatt backs Rio Tinto as AFL cuts ties over gorge blast

WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt says it’s ‘a shame’ the AFL has decided to end their ten-year partnership with Rio Tinto, a sponsor of the league’s three Indigenous football programs.

Rangi Hirini

Olive branchNew Rio iron ore boss seeks to rebuild trust

The mining giant’s new acting iron ore boss Ivan Vella has sought to reassure 12 Traditional Owner groups in the Pilbara by re-engaging with them and looking to modernise its land use agreements.

Stuart McKinnon