Albemarle Corp has entered the new year by commencing the construction of its Kemerton lithium hydroxide conversion site in Western Australia.

The QRC and CFMEU have joined forces to criticise an Australian Greens Party proposal to ban thermal coal mining in the Galilee Basin, Queensland.

Sandvik has expanded its Ranger DX series of surface top hammer drill rigs with a pair of non-cabin versions.

The Environmental Group Limited (EGL) is to purchase RCR Tomlinson subsidiary RCR Energy Service.

Resolute Mining’s growth ambitions at its gold operations in West Africa and Australia remain on target.

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Saraji coal mine in Queensland has returned to normal operations following a fatal accident last week.

Rio Tinto has completed the roll out of the AutoHaul autonomous freight train system across its iron ore operations in Western Australia.

Mach Energy has entered 2019 as Australia’s newest coal producer after reaching production at the Mount Pleasant project in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales in late December.

Pilbara Minerals is moving forward with its planned expansion of the Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project in Western Australia thanks to recent funding developments with Chinese and South Korean companies.

NRW has been selected by Fortescue Metals Group as its preferred contractor at the Eliwana rail project in the Pilbara in Western Australia. 

CIMIC has moved into 2019 with a strengthened order book of work in the coal mining industry.

Joint venture partners AngloGold Ashanti and Independence Group have confirmed that underground mining is technically and financially viable at the Tropicana gold mine in Western Australia.

Perth-based Aurora Labs is finalising the details of a new joint venture business with WorleyParsons that will accelerate the company’s 3D printing ambitions in the mining space.

Joint venture partners OZ Minerals and Minotaur Exploration have concluded their 2018 field season at the Eloise project in north-west Queensland ahead of a ramp up of drilling at the Jericho prospect next year.

Scania is testing an autonomous transport system at Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt operation in Western Australia.

Heron Resources has commissioned the Woodlawn zinc-copper project in New South Wales, on track to achieve first production in early 2019. 

Sandvik is working with several major mining houses to further the development of battery electric solutions for hard rock mining operations.

Mining technology company MICROMINE is to receive a major boost through equity firm Potentia Capital, which is investing an undisclosed majority stake in the business.

Rio Tinto is discussing an extension of the Bao-HI iron ore joint venture in Western Australia’s Pilbara region with partner China Baowu Group.

Australian Vanadium has moved closer to capitalising on the emerging vanadium market after releasing its pre-feasibility study (PFS) and maiden ore reserve for the Gabanintha project in Western Australia.