Sparking success: True North's Queensland copper comeback
The company decided to extensively explore its Mt Oxide and Cloncurry copper projects, with two campaigns hitting significant copper-cobalt-gold and copper-cobalt-silver mineralisation
The copper player is backed by Glencore, which currently holds a ~10% stake
True North Copper (ASX:TNC) has transformed from small-scale producer into one of Queensland's most promising explorers. The company now targets growth across all its assets amid fervent copper demand.
The company's change in direction began when it restructured during voluntary administration last year and shifted focus from small-scale production at the Cloncurry copper project, to include large-scale exploration across its extensive lease packages within the historical Cloncurry district as well as its greenfields Mt Oxide project north of Mt Isa.
Within a few months, two separate drilling campaigns struck copper-cobalt-gold and copper-cobalt-silver mineralisation, marking a dramatic turnaround and swiftly validating the company's strategic pivot.
Century-old Great Australia mine still delivering
The first discovery was made at the Great Australia Mine (GAM), part of the wider Cloncurry landholding, when a 17-hole 3450m reverse circulation drilling program uncovered new zones of copper-gold-cobalt mineralisation outside of existing resources.
A 14m intersection was made at the Copperhead discovery, grading 0.81% copper, 0.12g/t gold and 749ppm cobalt from 68m, while another standout 12m intersection was returned at Coppermine Creek, hitting 0.65% copper, 0.16g/t gold and 137ppm cobalt from 142m.
At Paddock Lode South, drilling confirmed extensions about 100m from the pit with shallow intercepts returning up to 6m at 0.63% copper and 0.15g/t gold.
Interestingly, although GAM has a well-explored, 100-year plus history, the latest findings still caught the company by surprise – potentially resulting in an increase to mine life, delivering more copper and opening the door to a more efficient mine plan.
Aquila – a game-changer for Mt Oxide
The excitement didn't end there, though.
Over at the Mt Oxide asset, TNC unearthed a new, large-scale copper-cobalt-silver system at the Aquila prospect – one of six, previously undrilled prospects currently being tested.
An 8000m RC campaign kicked off in mid-May with the first three holes of five uncovering significant mineralisation and confirming the substantial copper-cobalt-silver potential.
TNC managing director Bevan Jones noted at the time the company was seeing a 150m-wide, continuous mineral system with high-grade cores and strong geochemical signatures starting from shallow depths.
'What makes this even more exciting is that Aquila sits over 4km northeast of our existing Vero resource with a big fairway in between,' he said.
'This strongly suggests we've found a much larger, previously undiscovered deposit within the broader Mt Oxide system.
'We firmly believe Aquila has the genuine potential to evolve into a major new resource, completely transforming the Mt Oxide project.'
Copper exploration push paying dividends
Speaking with Stockhead, Jones said the change in strategy and focus on the exploration front has been very successful.
'It's proving that if you put some effort into the exploration side of things, it pays off when you're exploring the right area and using the right techniques,' he said.
Although the projects have their unique characteristics and differ in nature and strategic direction, True North is determined to push ahead on both paths at the same time.
Mt Oxide is a highly prospective, greenfields site with a medium to long-term production horizon, featuring a 15.03Mt resource at the Vero deposit, grading 1.46% copper, 10.59g/t silver and 9.15Mt at 0.23% cobalt.
The project hasn't been systematically explored for the past 20 years despite its location in the Mt Isa Inlier, just 20km to the south of 29Metals' (ASX:29M) processing facility at Capricorn Copper.
By contrast, the Cloncurry copper asset is based on a hub and spoke model with multiple operations within 30km of the company's crushing, leaching and processing facilities, right next to the historical mining town of Cloncurry.
It's a ready-to-go mining solution when the time comes so that True North can, without a lot of lead time, start operations again.
Jones explained that the original plan was to mine the three main pits and nearby satellite pits within the Cloncurry asset at an annual rate of 1Mt to produce about 6000t of copper per year for a 4.6-year period.
But since recapitalisation, True North's thinking has changed, aiming for a larger operation, a longer mine life and higher processing volumes.
'One of the main things that we're going to be looking into until the end of this year is a mining research study, to see what needs to be done to increase the scale of the operation ensuring its success,' he said.
Glencore backs True North Copper
In the background, Queensland's resources scene is also evolving, with Glencore preparing to mothball its Mount Isa copper operations, pulling a big chunk of copper from the market and leaving its smelter short.
The multinational has been divesting its copper projects in North West Queensland for years, with the most recent sale being that of Ernest Henry to Evolution in 2022.
'They are basically saying the future for them isn't necessarily as a copper miner in the region, they are focused more on metal trading – that is their primary function,' Jones said.
'What they are doing now is putting their hand on the metal in other ways.
'They have been actively involved in investing in smaller players around the region, using external organisations to supply the concentrate,' he said.
'That way they can continue to operate the smelter, which is what they believe is their core business.'
True North Copper is one of a few companies in a tolling and offtake agreement with the ~$34bn commodity trading and mining company.
When TNC underwent its recapitalisation process in late 2024, Glencore took about a 10% stake in the company and signed an offtake agreement to buy 100% of copper from True North's Cloncurry mine.
'All copper concentrate that we make from our Cloncurry operations is under contract to sell to Glencore,' Jones said.
'And they have done that with several other copper producers as well – Carnaby Resources have a very similar offtake agreement and most recently they have entered into agreements with Austral Resources to secure offtake.'
The deal is a major vote of confidence in True North Copper and its projects, making it a notably more attractive opportunity in the resurgent junior copper space.
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News.com.au
36 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Hidden fortune: What Aussie cleaners find in home clean-outs
Stressed Aussies are unknowingly tossing tens of thousands of dollars in the bin – with cleaners finding as much as $15,000 in cash hidden in a handbag in a shock new trend. A silent disaster is unfolding across Australia's suburbs as stressed descendants and downsizers rush to move on, with commercial cleaners clearing out properties find thousands of dollars worth of inheritance destined for skip bins. Bob Morton, co-founder of The Property Clearance Company, is among hundreds of businesses now rushed off their feet keeping up with demand as the $19.8 billion commercial cleaning sector expands into residential properties. 'We've seen people unknowingly throw away tens of thousands of dollars' worth of items and we've seen families break down over preventable misunderstandings,' he said. 'We've seen people toss out antique clocks, first-edition books and signed artworks thinking they were worthless.' 'One family threw out a set of vintage tools that later sold for more than $4,000.' 'We've found cash relatively often — sometimes thousands of dollars — and valuable jewellery like gold, diamonds, and even a Banksy artwork, which the family didn't know they had.' Govt pays $3.3m for unliveable derelict house 'We found a signed painting under a bed that was worth over $8,000. People don't always know what they're holding onto, but once it's gone, it's gone for good.' Among the salvaged items was a 1970s Steve Austin six million dollar man toy in its original packaging – worth a shattering $1,000 in the collectors' market. 'Some toys you buy today are worth nothing tomorrow, this one is unique.' Mr Morton said the team in the multistate family business he runs with wife Jude love finding things of both financial and sentimental value to clients. 'The ones that really come to mind are often the items of sentimental importance that had either been long since forgotten or people didn't even know were there. That happens a lot when families have lived in a home for decades, sometimes multi-generation.' 'Just a few weeks ago, we found a letter a client had written to her dad for Father's Day when she was seven. She's now in her 50s and had recently lost him. It was emotional for her and for our team.' 'There's jewellery and things like that people have long forgotten. One client said to me, I couldn't remember if this was real or not, because I've got a childhood memory of it but I hadn't seen it for decades. We were moving a cabinet out of a bedroom and a brooch was under it. We said, does this mean anything to you? It was very emotional.' He said a professional decluttering and clear out required five to seven days for a typical three bedroom home, and they are seeing a rise in downsizers overwhelmed by the need to declutter their life's possessions. 'This is one of life's biggest transitions and getting it wrong can cost far more than money,' he said. 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Taking time to thoughtfully sort through a home is the only way to ensure nothing important is lost.' Do not sell off the entire contents or dump it all in one go without having a look through. 'We've seen mid-century designer furniture, valuable art and antique tools snapped up for next to nothing,' he said. 'If someone offers to take a houseful of goods off your hands in one day, chances are you're being taken for a ride.' The other red flag, he said, was not documenting everything and creating an inventory – especially when multiple family members are involved in clearing out the family home to help elderly parents move into care or retirement living. 'We've had siblings argue over furniture, jewellery and even family photo albums,' Mr Morton said. 'An inventory protects everyone. It creates transparency, avoids suspicion, and gives families peace of mind.' The fifth red flag, he said, was thinking it was all 'just stuff'. He said every object has a story and some have significant emotional or monetary value. 'People often overlook sentimental items that hold family history and real monetary value. We help them see the difference.' 'That battered old typewriter in the garage might be a rare collector's item. Mum's handbag could be a vintage designer piece. Even handwritten recipes, love letters and holiday souvenirs can be deeply meaningful to future generations.' 'This is more than just a clean-up, it's the closing of a life chapter,' he said. 'Done right, it can be a respectful and even healing process. Done wrong, it's a source of lifelong regret.'
Canberra Times
an hour ago
- Canberra Times
Big Battery Boom: should regional Australia be worried about fires?
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Be the first to know when news breaks. As it happens Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports. As it happens Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Get the latest property and development news here. We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. As it happens Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. More from National More than 60 batteries are being built across the country, with a further 83 passing the approval process and 57 awaiting approval. The Hazelwood expansion will be mirrored Australia-wide, with more than 20GW of big battery projects in the planning pipeline. Just a decade ago big batteries were seven times more expensive than they are in 2025, with the latest forecasts predicting a further 14 per cent drop in the next year. The next phase is likely to be much quicker and much cheaper to build. The existing power lines coming into Hazelwood have the capacity to carry 1.6GW, more than 10 times the existing battery output. While the Hazelwood battery is only 150MW, there are already plans to expand it. What's on the horizon? "I think whenever a developer does a decent job, it really has to bring the community along with it and make sure they're involved in the process." "Once they saw the safety mechanisms and the reality of the battery, they were really comfortable with it. "The local Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA crews have come to the site to review it and understand it," he says. The Hazelwood site is 150MW, but has transmission capacity for 1600MW, so it will expand substantially in coming years. Picture by Ben Silvester Mr Quinnell says a key part of the approval and construction process at the Hazelwood battery was engaging local firefighters in the planning process. All of the previous high-profile big battery fires were using older, different technology than the Hazelwood battery. "When they did manage to start a fire, it was totally contained within the cube, so it never jumped from cube to cube." "The US manufacturer, Fluence, has done extensive testing, trying really hard to set them on fire. It was actually a huge effort. Mr Vila says each cube can isolate from the rest of the big battery system instantaneously, and there's a temperature trigger that fills the cube with chemical firefighting foam if it gets too hot. "Each battery cube is fan and liquid cooled and has a system that sends an alert if there's any problem. The Hazelwood big battery consists of three blocks of 50MW, made up of dozens of battery cubes, which each house 14 batteries. Picture by Ben Silvester "The batteries here are made from lithium iron phosphate, which is less volatile than previous battery technologies," Mr Vila says. The coordinator of Hazelwood's big battery, Jonathan Vila, says he can understand the concerns, but the Hazelwood site was extremely safe. Should regional communities be worried? "As a brigade, we're equipped and trained to fight grass and scrub fires," Mr Connors said. CFA member Doug Connors said volunteers weren't equipped to fight battery fires. An ABC report in May 2025 revealed CFA volunteers in Dederang in northern Victoria were opposed to a proposed big battery near the town. It has spurred concerns in some regional communities about the bushfire risk big batteries could pose. Another Tesla battery near Rockhampton in Queensland also caught fire in September 2023, and one of the world's largest batteries caught fire in California in January 2025. The battery had been offline at the time of the fire, meaning its monitoring and prevention measures were off. The Victorian government's Tesla battery outside Geelong caught fire during testing in July 2021. 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From coal to batteries Ballarat, Warrnambool, Albury-Wodonga and Newcastle will all have a handful of batteries around them in the next five years, but nearly every regional town will have at least one nearby. That's a lot more batteries, and most of them will be built in regional areas. But forecasts by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) show Australia will need at least 22GW by 2030 and 49GW by 2050. These 30 batteries can store 3 gigawatts (GW) of power. There are 30 big batteries operating across the country - seven in Victoria, six each in NSW, Queensland and SA, and eight in WA. Wind and solar farms have been the most obvious part of that change, but batteries are the next crucial piece: a power source when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. Australia is in the grips of an energy revolution that is transforming many regional areas. The big batteries are coming Hazelwood big battery coordinator Jonathan Vila explains how the battery cubes link into the Victorian grid. Picture by Ben Silvester To find out more, ACM went inside an operational big battery to learn how it worked and how risky it really was. But the boom has brought concerns from country residents, farmers, and even volunteer firefighters about the potential fire risks it could bring with it. All other regional websites in your area The digital version of Today's Paper All articles from our website & app Login or signup to continue reading Subscribe now for unlimited access. Australia is in the midst of a big battery boom, with hundreds of mega-batteries soon to be dotted across regional areas. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List Login or create a free account to save this to My Saved List
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
2026 Mitsubishi ASX engine details revealed ahead of launch
With the next-generation Mitsubishi ASX winding its way through the government approval process, we now know what will power the restyled Renault Captur. Details gleaned from the government approval database reveal the new Renault-built ASX will be available with just one powertrain: a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW at 5500rpm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It seems as though the new ASX uses the same drivetrain that was available in the pre-facelift Renault Captur. In the European Captur/ASX range, the same engine is sold with a 12V mild-hybrid system, and is rated at 116kW. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This means the new ASX will miss out, at least initially, on the wide variety of drivetrains available in Europe. These include a clutch of less powerful petrol models, and a 119kW hybrid. In Australia, the second-generation ASX will be launched with three trim levels: LS, Aspire, and Exceed. The base LS rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Aspire and Exceed have larger 18-inch rims. Other specifications for the ASX have yet to be revealed or discovered. In Europe the ASX/Captur is available with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a new 10.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which runs Google's automotive operating system, and supports both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thanks to Australian Design Rule 98/00, which mandates specific technical requirements for autonomous emergency braking systems, Mitsubishi was forced axe the first-generation ASX. Launched in 2010, the ASX has garnered strong sales thanks to its value-for-money price. Its replacement is basically a lightly restyled version of the facelifted second-generation Renault Captur. Visually the differences between the two cars are limited to different grille, bumper treatments, and, of course, badging. The new ASX will be built by Renault in Valladolid, Spain alongside the Captur. Thanks to its European roots, the new model may lose its pricing trump card. While the outgoing ASX was priced from $24,490 to $35,240 before on-road costs, the pre-facelift Renault Captur retailed for $33,000 to $39,500 before on-roads. It will be interesting to see how well the new ASX sells, not only in relation to the old model, but also compared to the Captur, which is due to return to the Australian market later this year. The Captur has always been a small player on the Australian scene, but the Mitsubishi brand is much better known Down Under and the company has a much more extensive dealer network. Mitsubishi is undoubtedly hoping it will be more successful than the last rebadged Renault it sold in Australia: the Renault Trafic-based Express, which debuted in 2020, and was axed by 2022. Aside from the Captur-based ASX, Mitsubishi also sells the Clio-based Colt and Symbioz-based Grandis in Europe. MORE: Explore the Mitsubishi ASX showroom Content originally sourced from: With the next-generation Mitsubishi ASX winding its way through the government approval process, we now know what will power the restyled Renault Captur. Details gleaned from the government approval database reveal the new Renault-built ASX will be available with just one powertrain: a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW at 5500rpm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It seems as though the new ASX uses the same drivetrain that was available in the pre-facelift Renault Captur. In the European Captur/ASX range, the same engine is sold with a 12V mild-hybrid system, and is rated at 116kW. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This means the new ASX will miss out, at least initially, on the wide variety of drivetrains available in Europe. These include a clutch of less powerful petrol models, and a 119kW hybrid. In Australia, the second-generation ASX will be launched with three trim levels: LS, Aspire, and Exceed. The base LS rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Aspire and Exceed have larger 18-inch rims. Other specifications for the ASX have yet to be revealed or discovered. In Europe the ASX/Captur is available with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a new 10.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which runs Google's automotive operating system, and supports both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thanks to Australian Design Rule 98/00, which mandates specific technical requirements for autonomous emergency braking systems, Mitsubishi was forced axe the first-generation ASX. Launched in 2010, the ASX has garnered strong sales thanks to its value-for-money price. Its replacement is basically a lightly restyled version of the facelifted second-generation Renault Captur. Visually the differences between the two cars are limited to different grille, bumper treatments, and, of course, badging. The new ASX will be built by Renault in Valladolid, Spain alongside the Captur. Thanks to its European roots, the new model may lose its pricing trump card. While the outgoing ASX was priced from $24,490 to $35,240 before on-road costs, the pre-facelift Renault Captur retailed for $33,000 to $39,500 before on-roads. It will be interesting to see how well the new ASX sells, not only in relation to the old model, but also compared to the Captur, which is due to return to the Australian market later this year. The Captur has always been a small player on the Australian scene, but the Mitsubishi brand is much better known Down Under and the company has a much more extensive dealer network. Mitsubishi is undoubtedly hoping it will be more successful than the last rebadged Renault it sold in Australia: the Renault Trafic-based Express, which debuted in 2020, and was axed by 2022. Aside from the Captur-based ASX, Mitsubishi also sells the Clio-based Colt and Symbioz-based Grandis in Europe. MORE: Explore the Mitsubishi ASX showroom Content originally sourced from: With the next-generation Mitsubishi ASX winding its way through the government approval process, we now know what will power the restyled Renault Captur. Details gleaned from the government approval database reveal the new Renault-built ASX will be available with just one powertrain: a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW at 5500rpm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It seems as though the new ASX uses the same drivetrain that was available in the pre-facelift Renault Captur. In the European Captur/ASX range, the same engine is sold with a 12V mild-hybrid system, and is rated at 116kW. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This means the new ASX will miss out, at least initially, on the wide variety of drivetrains available in Europe. These include a clutch of less powerful petrol models, and a 119kW hybrid. In Australia, the second-generation ASX will be launched with three trim levels: LS, Aspire, and Exceed. The base LS rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Aspire and Exceed have larger 18-inch rims. Other specifications for the ASX have yet to be revealed or discovered. In Europe the ASX/Captur is available with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a new 10.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which runs Google's automotive operating system, and supports both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thanks to Australian Design Rule 98/00, which mandates specific technical requirements for autonomous emergency braking systems, Mitsubishi was forced axe the first-generation ASX. Launched in 2010, the ASX has garnered strong sales thanks to its value-for-money price. Its replacement is basically a lightly restyled version of the facelifted second-generation Renault Captur. Visually the differences between the two cars are limited to different grille, bumper treatments, and, of course, badging. The new ASX will be built by Renault in Valladolid, Spain alongside the Captur. Thanks to its European roots, the new model may lose its pricing trump card. While the outgoing ASX was priced from $24,490 to $35,240 before on-road costs, the pre-facelift Renault Captur retailed for $33,000 to $39,500 before on-roads. It will be interesting to see how well the new ASX sells, not only in relation to the old model, but also compared to the Captur, which is due to return to the Australian market later this year. The Captur has always been a small player on the Australian scene, but the Mitsubishi brand is much better known Down Under and the company has a much more extensive dealer network. Mitsubishi is undoubtedly hoping it will be more successful than the last rebadged Renault it sold in Australia: the Renault Trafic-based Express, which debuted in 2020, and was axed by 2022. Aside from the Captur-based ASX, Mitsubishi also sells the Clio-based Colt and Symbioz-based Grandis in Europe. MORE: Explore the Mitsubishi ASX showroom Content originally sourced from: With the next-generation Mitsubishi ASX winding its way through the government approval process, we now know what will power the restyled Renault Captur. Details gleaned from the government approval database reveal the new Renault-built ASX will be available with just one powertrain: a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 113kW at 5500rpm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It seems as though the new ASX uses the same drivetrain that was available in the pre-facelift Renault Captur. In the European Captur/ASX range, the same engine is sold with a 12V mild-hybrid system, and is rated at 116kW. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This means the new ASX will miss out, at least initially, on the wide variety of drivetrains available in Europe. These include a clutch of less powerful petrol models, and a 119kW hybrid. In Australia, the second-generation ASX will be launched with three trim levels: LS, Aspire, and Exceed. The base LS rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Aspire and Exceed have larger 18-inch rims. Other specifications for the ASX have yet to be revealed or discovered. In Europe the ASX/Captur is available with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a new 10.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which runs Google's automotive operating system, and supports both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thanks to Australian Design Rule 98/00, which mandates specific technical requirements for autonomous emergency braking systems, Mitsubishi was forced axe the first-generation ASX. Launched in 2010, the ASX has garnered strong sales thanks to its value-for-money price. Its replacement is basically a lightly restyled version of the facelifted second-generation Renault Captur. Visually the differences between the two cars are limited to different grille, bumper treatments, and, of course, badging. The new ASX will be built by Renault in Valladolid, Spain alongside the Captur. Thanks to its European roots, the new model may lose its pricing trump card. While the outgoing ASX was priced from $24,490 to $35,240 before on-road costs, the pre-facelift Renault Captur retailed for $33,000 to $39,500 before on-roads. It will be interesting to see how well the new ASX sells, not only in relation to the old model, but also compared to the Captur, which is due to return to the Australian market later this year. The Captur has always been a small player on the Australian scene, but the Mitsubishi brand is much better known Down Under and the company has a much more extensive dealer network. Mitsubishi is undoubtedly hoping it will be more successful than the last rebadged Renault it sold in Australia: the Renault Trafic-based Express, which debuted in 2020, and was axed by 2022. Aside from the Captur-based ASX, Mitsubishi also sells the Clio-based Colt and Symbioz-based Grandis in Europe. MORE: Explore the Mitsubishi ASX showroom Content originally sourced from:
