Greatland Resources has secured the primary state and federal environmental approvals required for the Havieron gold-copper project in Western Australia, clearing a major regulatory hurdle ahead of a targeted final investment decision this quarter. The underground development is designed to feed high-grade ore into Greatland’s existing Telfer processing hub.
Arafura Rare Earths has approved development of the Nolans project in the Northern Territory, advancing Australia’s first fully integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation toward construction from September 2026. The decision follows binding offtake support, government-backed financing and renewed urgency around non-China rare earth supply.
MMG is moving to secure the long-term operating future of its Rosebery mine in western Tasmania, exploring three tailings storage locations designed to support one of Australia’s longest-running base metals operations beyond the end of this decade. MMG is moving to secure the long-term operating future of its Rosebery mine in western Tasmania, exploring three tailings storage locations designed to support one of Australia’s longest-running base metals operations beyond the end of this decade.
Mineral Resources will restart its Bald Hill lithium mine in Western Australia, bringing a production-ready spodumene operation back into the market after lithium prices recovered from the downturn that forced the asset onto care and maintenance in 2024. Mining and crushing are due to begin in June, with first concentrate targeted for July.
Gold’s recent price action has been shaped by more than safe-haven buying. The Iran war has lifted geopolitical risk but higher oil prices, inflation concerns, firmer bond yields and a stronger US dollar have repeatedly limited bullion’s upside and, at times, pushed the metal sharply lower.
USA Rare Earth’s US$2.8 billion Serra Verde deal adds a producing Brazilian rare earth mine to a rapidly expanding supply chain strategy. The transaction is significant because Serra Verde offers exposure to dysprosium and terbium, two of the more strategically important rare earths in magnets, defence systems and advanced electronics.
Norway has taken direct control of planning for the Fen rare earth deposit, accelerating one of Europe’s most significant critical minerals projects. The move follows a much larger resource estimate and signals a sharper official push to turn strategic geology into mine development as Europe seeks non-Chinese rare earth supply.
Zimbabwe’s new lithium export regime is beginning to take real operational shape. Yahua has secured a six-month quota for Kamativi, allowing concentrate shipments to continue under tighter state control and offering the first clear indication of how the country intends to manage lithium exports before its planned 2027 ban.
Yancoal has made one of the year’s most consequential coal moves, agreeing to buy an 80 per cent stake in Kestrel in Queensland. The acquisition lifts its weighting to premium hard coking coal, adds one of Australia’s most productive underground coal operations and sharpens its exposure to Asian steelmaking demand.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has created a strategic cobalt reserve, giving the state a stronger hand in a market it already dominates. In a supply chain shaped by quotas, oversupply and battery demand uncertainty, the move adds a new layer of state influence to the world’s most important cobalt-producing jurisdiction.
Russia has shifted a major gold-sector seizure into the sale phase, valuing its stake in UGC at about US$1.85 billion ahead of a May auction. The development sharpens attention on ownership risk in strategic jurisdictions and on how quickly state action can reset control over mining assets.
Rio Tinto has commissioned a new alumina conveyor at Kitimat, replacing infrastructure dating back to the 1960s. The project is a reminder that brownfield mining and metals sites are now deep into a replacement cycle, where reliability and materials handling are becoming as commercially important as outright capacity growth.
Chile’s next major copper growth option has taken a meaningful step forward. Codelco and Anglo American are advancing a dual-track approval strategy for a shared Andina-Los Bronces pit, a move that could unlock long-life copper supply while reducing duplicated infrastructure and creating significant future contractor demand.
Cameco is increasing production at the McArthur River uranium mine in Canada as global demand for nuclear energy strengthens. The restart marks a significant shift in uranium markets and highlights renewed investment in nuclear fuel supply chains.
Anglo American Platinum is advancing expansion works at the Mogalakwena Mine in South Africa, targeting increased production of platinum group metals. As global demand for PGMs strengthens due to automotive and hydrogen applications, the project is positioned to enhance long-term supply. The expansion reflects renewed confidence in platinum markets and creates new opportunities for contractors across mining, processing and infrastructure.
As Australia grapples with an escalating national fuel crisis, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor, has called for an immediate acceleration of domestic mining, coal and gas projects. The Coalition proposes slashing regulatory red tape to boost resource sector productivity, provide urgent cost of living relief and secure the national energy grid.