Rivet Mining Services has gone into administration due to extreme weather events, labour shortages, project delays and rising costs.
Mining services, which provides bulk haulage and ancillary onsite services to mining companies in WA, is the only business within the Rivet Group effected.
Chris Hill, Vaughan Strawbridge and Hayden White from FTI Consulting have been made receivers and managers of the company.
Rivet Mining Services
Desert Metals has begun extensive field work at three of its key projects near Meekatharra.
The projects include drilling of a previously untested 15m greenstone belt for gold and other base metals at the Belele project; heritage surveys at the Dingo Pass project; and metallurgical work to determine recovery rates of clay hosted REE mineralisation at the Innouendy project to identify the most cost-effective processing methodology.
Rio Tinto has been the victim of a data hack.
Data on GoAnywhere software regarding former and current employees may have been stollen by hackers who have threatened to release stollen data.
“While investigations into this incident are ongoing and threats have been made by a cybercriminal group to release data on to the dark web, to date none of the records described above have been released, and we still do not know if the cybercriminal group holds these records or not,” a memo to staff said.
Several companies using GoAnywhere have reported data breaches, including Hitachi.
Rio Tinto
Lightning Minerals has identified lithium soil anomalism at its 100% owned Dundas project in WA.
Lightning Minerals CEO, Alex Biggs, said: “Further positive lithium in soil anomalism being identified at our Dundas project again supports our exploration strategy and belief in the region as an emerging lithium and critical minerals district.”
The S&P/ASX200 markets had a turbulent week, falling from 6,974 points o Monday to 6,900 on Tuesday, the market jumped again on Wednesday to 7,030 points before falling to 6,961 points on Thursday then finishing off the week at 6,955 points on Friday.
The All Ordinaries has lost 0.70% over the last 5 days. The market was at its lowest at close on Monday at 7,085 points. The All Ordinaries closed at 7,138 points on Friday.
Gold fell Tuesday afternoon from $1,985.88USD to $1,943.47USD before recovering the remainder of the week to $1,990.70USD on Friday, the highest price since April 2022.
Silver finished at $23.22USD on Friday, the highest it’s been since the start of February 2023.
A lot has happened in 2022 so we’ve compiled some of this year’s biggest mining news:
January
Rio Tinto expects the introduction of battery-electric powered trains in the Pilbara will help them halve their emissions by 2030.
They hope the trial will pave the way for its entire fleet of 220 diesel locomotives to go electric.
Fortescue Metals Group also plans to replace diesel-powered vehicles by 2030 in their plan to decarbonise.
Then FMG chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said to achieve carbon neutrality: “we will have to replace our mining fleet, our rail fleet, shipping, all of those areas that are mobile that rely on the use of diesel.”
Rio Tinto
February
Lynas has received approval from WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby to build $500m rare earths refinery at Kalgoorlie.
The plant is scheduled to begin production next year and is expected to create over 120 jobs.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor John Bowler said he hopes the plant will operate for decades: “This is the next big metal, something totally different from gold and nickel … it’s a big occasion and great day for Kalgoorlie-Boulder.”
May
Ron Sayers, West Australian mining tycoon who founded the Perenti Group, has died after his battle with stomach cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Sayers began as a fitter on Kalgoorlie’s Golden Mile before founding his company Ausdrill in 1987.
Today the ASX200 listed company employs more than 8,000 employees across 12 countries.
Construction has begun on a 580km pipeline in WA that will take gas from the Perth basin to the Goldfields.
The $460m pipeline will form part of the Northern Goldfields Interconnect pipeline, aimed to significantly increase the volume of gas available inland.
June
The United States Department of Defence has awarded Lynas Rare Earths a $120USD contract to build a processing facility on the Gulf Coast in Texas.
The production of the facility aims to reduce the US’ reliance on China for rare earth minerals.
Lynas managing director Amanda Lacaze says the deal demonstrates the priority that the US is placing on “ensuring that supply chains for these critical materials are resilient and environmentally responsible”.
July
Australian mining company Lucapa has unearthed a rare 170-carat pink diamond, one of the biggest pink diamonds ever found.
“The Lulo Rose” is believed to be the largest found in 300 years.
Lucapa Diamond
October
Two people have died in 72 hours in separate mining incidents in WA.
The first died after a rock fall at the Hamlet underground mine at Saint Ives near Kambalda.
The second died at the Capricorn Metals’ Karlawinda gold mine near Newman when his vehicle was run over by a large dump truck.
November
A $750m community investment trust funded by WA’s big fish in mining has been set up by the state government to help fund infrastructure in remote communities and legacy projects.
The government hopes to eventually have $1b in the fund, so far Rio Tinto and BHP have contributed $250m each, Hancock Prospecting has contributed $100m, Woodside $50m, Chevron $50m and Mineral Resources has contributed $50m.
Projects to be funded include an Aboriginal Cultural Centre for Perth’s CBD, the refurbishment of the Perth Concert Hall and upgrades to the Perth Zoo as well as several projects in remote WA.
Swedish company, Epiroc, has agreed to acquire Kalgoorlie Boulder company, Remote Control Technologies Pty Ltd.
RCT was founded 50 years ago and provides automation solutions to mining companies.
RCT is the second Kalgoorlie Boulder company acquired by Epiroc this year, after their acquisition of JTMEC earlier in the year.
The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
RCT
December
St Barbara and Genesis Minerals have announced their merger to create Hoover House,
St Barbara will acquire 100% of the shares in Genesis. Genesis shareholders will own 41% of Hoover House, with St Barbara shareholders owning 38%.
Hoover House will have a production target of over 300,000oz of gold per annum.
St Barbara chair, Tim Netscher, said: “The merger with our Leonora neighbour, Genesis, to create Hoover House, will accelerate our Leonora Province Plan. Shareholders will reap the benefits of more production at lower cost and lower risk from this prolific mining district.”
Genesis Managing Director, Raleigh Finlayson, said: “By combining with St Barbara, we are creating Hoover House, the premium Australian gold company we envisaged, with sustainable, high-quality production.”
St Barbara
Elizabeth Gains is stepping down as CEO of Fortescue to become their ambassador for their global green hydrogen brand. Gains will remain a non-executive director.
Gains will be responsible for promoting green hydrogen, green ammonia and green energy.
Since Gains began leading the company in 2018, Fortescue’s share price has quadrupled, and shareholders have grown from less than 35,000 to 170,000.
“ I don’t see this as a departure of any shape or form. I think it’s just the opportune time for Fortescue who are genuinely transitioning,” Ms Gaines said.
In Today’s Morning News Bites for September 11. Australian sharemarket opens up weaker, Tiger Airways officially shuts down and people remember the September 11 terror attacks on it’s 18th anniversary.
The board of Rio Tinto has reported that by mutual agreement, J-S Jacques will step down from his role as an executive director and Chief Executive of the Group. A process to identify his successor is underway. J-S will remain in his role until the appointment of his successor or 31 March 2021, whichever is earlier. This will ensure business continuity to maintain the strong performance of the Group’s global operations during COVID-19. Chris Salisbury will step down as Chief Executive, Iron Ore with immediate effect and will leave Rio Tinto on 31 December 2020. Ivan Vella, currently Managing Director for Rail, Port & Core Services within Rio Tinto Iron Ore, will replace him on an interim basis, following a handover period with Chris.
Venus Metals Corporation Limited (in conjunction with its Joint Venture partner Rox Resources Limited) reported high‐grade gold mineralisation intersected in recent reverse circulation (RC) and aircore (AC) drilling at Taylor’s Reef Prospect, Currans Find. Taylor’s Reef Prospect is a new unworked zone where high‐grade gold was recovered from surface workings in recent times by Mr D Taylor. Best results from the recent drilling at Taylor’s Reef Prospect include: 3m @ 19.58g/t Au from 21m, Incl. 1m @ 55.81g/t Au from 23m, and 3m @ 14.30g/t Au from 73m.
Andromeda Metals Limited updated interim results from aircore drilling undertaken at the Hammerhead Prospect (previously Condooringie Prospect), which is located 5 kms to the north of the Great White Deposit (previously Carey’s Well Deposit) on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Analyses of samples collected from aircore drilling undertaken at the Hammerhead Prospect has defined an extensive area of Bright White kaolin (>75 ISO Brightness) with a minimum thickness of 10 metres extending over an area of 2.4 kms by 0.5 kms. XRD test results received to date have confirmed zones of high-grade (+20%) halloysite-kaolin within the Bright White domain. A Mineral Resource estimate will be prepared for the Hammerhead Prospect on receipt of final XRD analysis.
RC and diamond drilling program targeting shallow EM conductors has commenced at the Grey Dam Nickel Project for Carnavale Resources Limited. Eight drill holes planned, which will test 5 high priority EM targets at the Grey Dam Nickel Project, 70km from Kalgoorlie. Seismic Drilling Services have been engaged to provide RC and diamond drilling services utilising a truck mounted multipurpose drilling rig. RC and diamond drilling program commenced, targeting the recently defined EM conductors and potential nickel sulphide mineralisation in bedrock. Chairman Ron Gajewski commented, “We are very excited to commence drilling at the Grey Dam Project. In this drilling program we are aiming to confirm the geology, geochemistry and geophysics demonstrated by previous sampling and to test the strongest conductors identified by the recent fixed loop electro-magnetic (FLEM) geophysical survey.”
An extension to the mine life at the Macraes operation located on the South Island of New Zealand as well as to announce initial Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources for the Golden Point Underground, including the results of the recently completed Golden Point Underground Pre-feasibility Study. President and CEO Michael Holmes said, “Macraes continues to be the mine that keeps on giving. After nearly 30 years of operation, we are very pleased to announce that the Macraes life of mine will extend to at least 2028 with the inclusion of Golden Point Underground along with new open pit opportunities such as those at Deepdell.”
Rio Tinto is set to release it’s half-year profits after market close today, CIMIC Group are in advance talks for a potential sale of a 50% stake in Thiess and the banks instructed to reduce dividends.
St Barbara release its Q4 and FY20 report, indicating an increase in gold production from the previous financial year with 108,612 ounces (Q3 Mar FY20: 91,547 ounces), and a consolidated gold production of 381,887 ounces (in line with guidance of 370,000 to 400,000 ounces) for the year.
Alto Metals hit more high-grade gold at the Lord Nelson Sandstone Gold Project in WA, highlights from recent drilling include 12m @ 5.0g/t gold from 244m. A further five RC holes of the company’s initial 1,500m infill drilling program have been received, with highlights of 28m @ 3.1 g/t gold from 228m (including 12m @ 5.0 g/t gold from 244m). These latest results followed up on the previous high-grade gold results from the primary zone of mineralisation beneath the pit announced in late April of this year.
Pantoro Limited has commenced drilling at the Maybell Mining Centre, the last of the identified phase one start up mining targets. Initial results from shallow drilling from the Lord Percy Deposit (located to the northeast of the main Maybell Deposit) are extremely encouraging. It highlights a shallow high-grade lode system, the intercepts from surface to 60 metres depth include 4m @ 13.58 g/t Au and 1.10 m @ 13.40 g/t Au.
Middle Island Resources Limited announced significant assays from new McIntyre satellite gold deposit in WA. These results are emerging from the Company’s Phase 2 reverse circulation drilling campaign at the company’s Sandstone gold project in Western Australia. The new results complement those derived from Phase 1 RC drilling at McIntyre, including highlights of 24m @ 1.66g/t, 23m @ 1.40g/t, 11m @ 1.39g/t and 18m @ 1.35g/t Au.
Chalice Gold’s maiden diamond drill program at the Pyramid Hill Gold Project confirms a large gold system at the Karri Prospect, providing new drill targets for the next phase of exploration in Victoria. All six initial diamond drill holes at the Karri Prospect intersected tightly folded, upright stratigraphy and primary gold mineralisation and indicate that the potential for a tier-1 scale gold system.
Bluescope is conducting a strategic review of its New Zealand Operations, FMG hits record high and Westpac has been served with class action.
Magmatic Resources has commenced drilling at Boda North. There is the mobilisation of a second rig and commencement of RC drilling activity at Boda North as RC drilling continues at Lady Ilse, with four holes completed. Drilling at Lady Ilse has been delayed due to wet conditions and some mechanical issues. There has been a replacement rig on site to increase production rates. While the maiden drilling program at Boda North will comprise of approximately six RC holes and is designed to assess the geochemical ‘fertility’ of the anomalies (gold + pathfinder elements) prior to potential deeper drill testing. Boda North is north of Cadia Valley in Central New South Wales.
National Tyres and Wheel limited has entered a conditional Agreement to acquire Tyres 4 U’s importing, wholesale and retailing business assets in Australia and New Zealand. This will create a prescence in the truck & bus, industrial and agricultural tyre segments where NTD currently has little or no presence. The synergy between the two entities commenced some years ago. Tyres for U CEO Les de Celis said: “Some years ago, I met with Peter Ludemann and others from NTD to discuss the prospects of a merged T4U and NTD business. We were very enthusiastic back then about the benefits we could deliver to suppliers and customers with an abundance of complementary skills in our teams and no significant overlap of products or suppliers. Changes in the industry since then have only made the case for getting together more compelling and we are extremely excited to join forces with NTD”. While Peter Ludemann NTD CEO said “The purchase of T4U is testament to the power of belief and persistence. When we first met, we were struck by the fact that, despite each being tyre wholesalers for more than 25 years, we did not bump into each other in the marketplace. Different business models, different products and different routes to market made it immediately obvious that everyone could benefit from getting together, without disturbing our core businesses or values.” The aquistion makes NTD one of the largest tyre wholesalers in Australia and New Zealand.
Rio Tinto has released its second quarter results with iron ore and bauxite the stronger performers. Rio Tinto Chief Executive J-S Jacques said “We delivered a strong performance, particularly in iron ore and bauxite, demonstrating the underlying resilience of our business and ability to adapt in difficult conditions. Our iron ore assets are performing well in a strong pricing environment and we are on track to meet our 2020 iron ore guidance. Despite various COVID-19 related challenges, all our assets have continued to operate, with our first priority to protect the health and safety of all our employees and communities. “Our focus is to maintain a business as usual approach with many safeguards at a very unusual time. Our operational teams are continuing to run our assets safely so we can continue to contribute to local and national economies and serve our customers.” Mr Jacques also remained committed to the Rio Tinto relationships with local communities. “We remain even more committed to our relationship with communities, following the Juukan Gorge events in the Pilbara, and we are engaging extensively with Traditional Owners around our operations and across Australia.” He said. Rio Pilbara iron ore shipments of 86.7 million tonnes (100% basis) were 1% higher than the second quarter of 2019 despite the impact of COVID-19 related operational controls. This is a 3% increase for the same time 2019.
A desktop analysis by Torian Resources has uncovered a large area of interest at the Mt Monger – Wombola Gold Projects, with significant discovery potential. Up to 50,000m of historical drilling results to be reviewed and reinterpreted. Torian Chairman Mr Louie Simens said, “As previously announced we have had fresh eyes digging into the extensive datasets across TNR’s projects and early indications from desktop analysis have yielded significant indicators of potential for further discoveries at the Mt Monger – Wombola projects. We are embarking on a property-wide systematic exploration effort at the Mt Monger – Wombola Project which enfolds much of Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR) flagship Mt Monger Mine.” Torian’s Joint Venture partner Dampier have announced a major drilling program at the jointly held Zuleika Gold Project with an aim of rapidly defining JORC compliant resources.
The first milling campaign has commenced at Lakewood Mill with the first gold pour due next week for Horizon Minerals. According to Managing Director Jon Price “We are extremely pleased with progress at Boorara and now commencing the first milling campaign at Lakewood producing first gold next week and revenue shortly thereafter. Along with capitalising on the strong current gold price, the Stage One development of Boorara will provide mine to mill reconciliation outcomes to de-risk the larger scale development plan.” Total material movement to date of 357,000 BCM, 30% above plan with ore mined to date of 80,000t at a fully diluted grade of 1.5g/t Au, in line with reserve model estimates.
After yesterday announcing a 7.5c dividend due next week, Northern Star finished the day up 90c. Busiest month ever for luxury car sales and Test cricket returned overnight.
Rio Tinto has announced it will close its New Zealand Aluminium Plant – Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. A date of August 31 2021 has been announced as the wind-down of operations. “We’re very disappointed to have played our part in delivering these savings for one of the greenest smelters in the world and to have such limited engagement from Rio Tinto. We urge Rio Tinto to seriously consider the offer for improved electricity supply and encourage them to consider what is right for Southland, for New Zealand and for their own global environmental commitments.” Said Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge. Contract Energy are an energy supplier in New Zealand.
Black Cat Syndicate has had a busy start to the financial year with drill results from its Bulong Gold Project bringing about high grade results and approval granted for a Pit at Myhree. The results from drilling at Bulong have returned with highlights of 8m @ 26.43 g/t Au from 55m, 10m @ 5.60 g/t Au from 10m and 1m @ 12.70 g/t Au from 42m. According to MD Gareth Solly “The continued shallow, high-grade results bode well for early cashflow from potential mining operations at Myhree. These results infill the existing Resource and are among the best widths and grades to date. This is testament to the robust nature of the Myhree deposit.” While approvals for the Stage 1 Open Pit have been granted and recent drilling has seen some encouragement in the East West structure. “In addition, an important step in our objective to develop Bulong has been achieved with the full approval of the Stage 1 Open Pit at Myhree. We also saw some encouragement from an east-west structure at Myhree and 600m north of Trump north that requires follow up. RC drilling to further test and extend these areas will recommence during August 2020. In the meantime, diamond drilling of the deeper Mhyree mineralisation, is currently underway.” Mr Solly said.
New high grade gold lode has been uncovered by Classic Minerals at Kat Gap. Best results from recent drilling uncovered 4 metres grading 76.72 grams per tonne gold from 79 metres 9 metres grading 8.69 grams per tonne gold from 14 metres. CEO of Classic Minerals Dean Goodwin said “This new very high-grade intersection out into the granite is an exciting development for the Kat Gap Project. We decided to extend some of our planned drill holes west of our current drill pattern to see if further gold lodes were lurking out in the granite. We were right. Now we just have to work out what orientation this new lode is running at. We had a feeling something was out there as we had a handful of old historical drill holes along strike that had a few lower grade sniffs out in the granite. This new intersection really bodes well for our future drilling programs that will be conducted out in the granite following up the historical auger geochemical anomalies.” Kat Gap is located Kat Gap approximately 70km south-south east of the Company’s Forrestania Gold Project.
Focus Minerals has announced the new JORC 2012 Minerals Resource for the Greenfields gold deposit. A total Mineral Resource has been announced as 139,123oz (measured and indicated) That has been completed after an overhaul of the Greenfields open pit resource model and has delivered an 81% increase in Mineral Resource. Focus Minerals’ CEO, Mr Zhaoya Wang, said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to commend the team for the diligent work in reexamining historical data of Greenfields. We look forward to what the new PFS could bring to Coolgardie. At the same time, Focus is continuing its exploration efforts at our 100%-owned Laverton Gold Project. In line with our stated commitments, the Laverton PFS study will be completed by December 2020. The Greenfields Ore Reserve in the 2017 PFS should not be relied upon as it was built on the previous resource model. The updated PFS will be completed in early August, which will provide the updated ore reserve numbers.” Greenfields is 3.8km from Coolgardie is Western Australia.
Julimar is becoming a hive of activity for Chalice Gold and recent drill results including 3.9m @ 1.7g/t Pd, 0.4g/t Pt, 0.5g/t Au, 0.1% Ni, 0.7% Cu, 0.02% Co from 314.9m to end-of-hole including: 10.1m @ 2.9g/t Pd, 0.6g/t Pt, 1.2g/t Au, 0.1% Ni, 1.3% Cu, 0.01% Co. These results point to a new style of PGE-copper-gold mineralisation at Gonneville. Two RC and a diamond drill are on site and continuing with a drill program at the Gonneville Intrusion. The Intrusion hosts both extensive high-grade PGE-Ni-Cu-Co zones in massive/matrix/stringer sulphides and widespread PGE mineralisation in disseminated sulphides. Current and future activities include an approx 20,000m Phase 2 RC drill program is underway utilising two rigs, a diamond drill program which will continue to step-out from known high-grade zones and test new DHEM targets, Metallurgical testwork, EM Geophysics and the ability to access approvals.
