Home
Search
thewest.com.au
BusinessChevron Right Icon

Mining

The Santa open pit mine at Vault Minerals’ Mount Monger operations south-east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Almost got therePremiumVault Minerals gold sales for first full year below guidance

Shares in Vault Minerals eased in early trade on Thursday after the miner said its full-year gold sales would come in marginally under guidance.

Neil Watkinson

Rio Tinto's Paraburdoo mine site. Tom Zaunmayr.

MiningPremiumCounting mistake a setback for union fight against Rio

One of the flagship campaigns to re-unionise the Pilbara’s lucrative iron ore mines has hit a roadblock after the unions had to make an embarrassing admission. 

Adrian Rauso

Fortescue’s Eliwana iron ore mine

MiningPremiumFMG and Sandfire crowned ESG leaders among Aussie Miners

A tally ranking miners on criteria like environmental impact, executive bonuses and mine site deaths has put Fortescue and Sandfire Resources on top, while Rio Tinto sits among the cellar dwellers.

Adrian Rauso

Meeka Metals’ Murchison gold project near Meekatharra.

Up and runningPremiumMeeka Metals pours first gold at Murchison project

Meeka Metals has poured first gold at its Murchison project near Meekatharra and is now focused on executing its 10-year mine plan.

Neil Watkinson

Pilbara union organiser Paul Ferreira

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
MiningPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Infamous ‘Albo nazi’ union organiser resigns

The union organiser that called the Prime Minister ‘Albo nazi’ and was spearheading a campaign against mining companies in the Pilbara has left his job.

Adrian Rauso

Malcolm Bundey will immediately join the lithium and iron ore miner as a non-executive director and will succeed outgoing chair James McClements on July 1.

BoardsPremiumDay one for fix-it man Bundey as chair of Mineral Resources

The change comes as penance for a series of corporate governance shortcomings at the miner, which were acknowledged as “periods that have tested us” by departing chair James McClements.

Simone Grogan

The first gold poured in March at Genesis Minerals’ Laverton mill from ore from Brightstar Resources’ Second Fortune underground mine and Lord Byron stockpiles.

Study releasedPremiumBrightstar Resources eyes production at Menzies, Laverton

A definitive feasibility study estimates Brightstar Resources will need funding of $120 million to bring its Menzies and Laverton gold projects in the northern Goldfields into production.

Neil Watkinson

An aerial view of the Katanning gold project site in Badgebup.

Significant developmentPremiumCost of $355m, 10-year life for Katanning gold project

A definitive feasibility study estimates it will cost $355 million for Perth junior Ausgold to develop the Katanning gold project, which would have a 10-year mine life.

Neil Watkinson

An application to dig up six open pits and build a 10mtpa processing plant at a new mine site 85 kilometres south of Port Hedland was first referred to the EPA in July 2023. 

GoldPremiumPrized Hemi deposit clears State environmental hurdle

An outstanding WA environmental approval needed to turn a major Pilbara gold find into a top-five mine in Australia has been secured by new owner Northern Star Resources. 

Simone Grogan

Mineral Rescources' Koolyanobbing iron ore operation.

MiningCommentsPremiumMinRes to keep gold, lithium after offloading idle mine

Mineral Resources has offloaded its idle Yilgarn iron ore hub for an ‘immaterial’ amount after closing the mines that once employed 1000 people at the end of last year.

Simone Grogan

Your position is unique, so please don’t take financial advice from your colleagues on site. Context is everything.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumWork FIFO? Here’s your essential tax-time tool kit

For WA’s fly-in, fly-out workforce, EOFY isn’t just about ticking the tax-return box — it’s a golden opportunity to assess your financial strategy and set yourself up for long-term security. Here’s how.

Janine Leafe

Flames surround molten gold poured into a mold during gold ingot production at a foundry. Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

EconomyPremiumStormy seas as good as gold for miners

Australian gold exports are expected to hit $56 billion next financial year after political uncertainty sent the commodity’s price rocketing.

Matt Mckenzie

BHP has suspended its WA nickel operations including the Kalgoorlie smelter (pictured) amid global oversupply. (Marion Rae/AAP PHOTOS)

MiningForecast further dampens Nickel West revival hopes

The ‘millionaires factory’ has again downgraded its prognosis for nickel and by virtue increased the probability BHP’s idle Nickel West is going to shut permanently.

Adrian Rauso

Westgold Resources managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell.

New jobPremiumBarminco wins $200 million contract at Great Fingall mine

Perenti’s underground mining services division has been awarded a $200 million, three-year contract at Westgold Resources’ Great Fingall mine in the Murchison, where first production is expected early in FY26.

Neil Watkinson

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

MiningPremiumChalmers sues Northern Minerals investor over sale order

The Treasurer is suing China-linked Indian Ocean International Shipping and Service Company in the Federal Court, alleging it had defied orders to sell shares in the WA rare earths play.

Sean Smith

The Kens Bore mine. Pictured is MinRes Chief Executive Officer of Mining Services Mike Grey and Director of Strategy Tim Picton.

MiningCommentsPremiumThis ‘crown jewel’ of embattled MinRes is not up for grabs

The “crown jewel” of MinRes is not for sale, because keeping it could help the company’s flagship mine turn a decent profit even if iron ore crashes below $US60 per tonne.

Adrian Rauso

MinRes officially opened its $140 million Mungala Resort at the $3.5 billion Onslow Iron project in the Pilbara on Thursday.

MiningCommentsPremiumSEE INSIDE: MinRes opens glitzy love nest FIFO camp

The luxurious accommodation complex is fitted with ‘love nest’ dongas to house the workers of a mining operation that could make or break the Chris Ellison-led company.

Adrian Rauso

Farmers in western Victoria are concerned about the impacts of a proposed rare earths mine. (Tracey Nearmy/AAP PHOTOS)

MiningFarmer fury over rare earths mine approval

A newly-approved rare earths mine has drawn the ire of farmers, who say the US-backed miner and the state government have failed to property consult community.

Adrian Black

Etango: Bannerman’s U-project.

MiningSubiaco’s Bannerman seals $85m cash call for flagship

Bannerman Energy has secured $85 million from shareholders to raise cash for the build of a uranium project in Namibia due to start producing in 2028.

Simone Grogan

Pressure Dynamics does a lot of hydraulic maintenance work on offshore platforms.

MiningCommentsPremiumLocal mining and energy giants exposed to Bibra Lake hack

Some of the largest mining and energy companies in Western Australia are likely caught up in a cyber hack that allegedly saw huge amounts of data pilfered from a Bibra Lake business.

Adrian Rauso

Astral Resources' Mandilla gold project.

Prefeasibility studyPremium$227 million cost, 19-year life for Mandilla gold mine

A prefeasibility study has put a $227 million price tag on the development of a gold mine at Astral Resources’ Mandilla project south-west of Kambalda that would have a life of 19 years.

Neil Watkinson

Australian Vanadium chief executive Graham Arvidson, Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent, Mines Minister David Michael, and VSUN Energy’s Zamien Sumich with the vanadium flow battery at the WA School of Mines.

Power sourcePremiumVanadium flow battery installed on WASM campus

The company eyeing the development of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s $150m vanadium flow battery has installed a small working model at the WA School of Mines to help the mining industry better understand the technology.

Neil Watkinson

Australian Vanadium chief executive Graham Arvidson pictured with the vanadium-flow battery installed at the WA School of Mines campus in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

CRUCIAL PROJECTPremiumGoldfields vanadium battery key to technology’s take-up

The company developing the technology for Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s $150 million vanadium-flow battery wants it to be the shining example that propels the power source’s take-up across Australia.

Neil Watkinson

Celebrating the native title agreement between Magnetic Resources and the Wangkatja Tjungula Aboriginal Corporation are Greg Stubbs, David Canning, Darren Polak, Quinton Tucker, George Sakalidis, Murray Stubbs and Vanessa Thomas.

Major developmentsPremiumMagnetic Resources advances Lady Julie gold project

Magnetic Resources has unveiled a substantial mineral resource estimate at the Lady Julie gold project in the Northern Goldfields and signed an agreement with the local native title group.

Neil Watkinson