Latest news with #South32
The Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
WYX boosts bauxite position in WA
Special Report: Western Yilgarn has expanded its bauxite footprint within WA's Darling Range bauxite mineral field with the acquisition of the Cardea 3 project. Western Yilgarn expands WA bauxite portfolio with Cardea 3 acquisition Historical drilling has returned high-grade alumina exceeding that mined at the nearby Worsley Alumina Operations Cardea 3 is near major highway and multi-user railway It follows closely on the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety awarding exploration licences E70/6702 and E70/6703 – the Cardea 1 and 2 project areas – in late May. Western Yilgarn (ASX:WYX) paid the vendor a $5000 cash deposit on executing the terms sheet and will make a further cash payment of $20,000 and issue $25,000 worth of shares at an issue price equal to the 20-day volume weighted average price once the exploration licence application is granted. Cardea 3 has seen some historical exploration with 422 vacuum drill holes completed to date. Of these, 139 have been analysed for available alumina and reactive silica. Results from this work indicate that high-grade bauxite is present with available alumina – the portion of Ai2O3 that can be extracted under Bayer process conditions – exceeding 34.5% and reactive silica content of 3.14%. This compares very favourably with the average mining grades of 28.7% available alumina and 1.9% reactive silica at South32's (ASX:S32) nearby Worsley Alumina Operations. Surface bauxite mineralisation has also been defined over a 3km by 1km area with a laterite profile typical of Darling Range bauxite deposits. 'We are extremely pleased with the acquisition of the Cardea 3 project, which provides significant scalability and strong potential to further increase both bauxite tonnage and grade through continued exploration—particularly in the western portion of the exploration licence area,' non-executive director Pedro Kastellorizos said. 'The project's proximity to a multi-user railway, within trucking distance, is a key logistical advantage, especially in the current market environment of record alumina and bauxite prices.' Cardea 3 location. Pic: Western Yilgarn Cardea 3 project Cardea 3 sits within the Darling Scarp Bauxite Province – a key bauxite region centred on Pinjarra, Waroona and Worsley, which are major aluminium production hubs about 80km to 150km south of Perth. It is about 17.5km east of the company's Julimar West bauxite project and can be accessed from Perth via the Great Northern Highway and is well supported by the Perth Kalgoorlie Railway line to the south of the project area. Results from the vacuum drilling have indicated that the highest grade zones – exceeding 40% Ai2O3 - are concentrated in the central and southern portions of the exploration licence area. WYX added that data to date indicated that alumina and reactive silica for this deposit may be comparable to nearby bauxite mining operations such as the Worsley Alumina Operations. Surface and drilling geochemistry, along with the interpreted geophysics has highlighted multiple targets proximal to the west and south of the current tenure areas. Regional mapping and interpretation of the Western Australia Geological Survey has delineated laterite and pisolitic gravels in which the bauxite occurs. These areas will be systematically targeted once the company starts first pass exploration. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
Axios
6 days ago
- Business
- Axios
How South32 Hermosa could strengthen the U.S. critical mineral supply
South32's Hermosa project is the country's only advanced mine development designed to produce two minerals essential for powering the nation's energy future. In a recent interview, Pat Risner, president of South32 Hermosa, details the company's plans to help the U.S. compete in the global critical mineral economy. First things first: What is the Hermosa project, and how does it fit into the current administration's emphasis on minerals and domestic mining? Risner: South32 is developing a critical minerals district in southern Arizona's Patagonia Mountains. Our Hermosa project would produce manganese and zinc, which are on the DOI's critical minerals list. The project uses state-of-the-art technology that we believe will be safer, more efficient and less impactful on the environment. In February 2024, our board announced a $2.16 billion investment to take the project into first production of zinc by 2027. We are also the first and currently only covered project under the federal government's FAST-41 permitting program. Why it's important: Why does the project focus on zinc, in particular? Risner: Zinc is a critical mineral that hasn't received enough attention. Zinc is used to galvanize steel, so it's very important for infrastructure and all forms of energy — including battery storage and other defense applications. By 2034, there will be a 4 million-ton gap between global zinc supply and demand. To close the gap, you'd have to develop three projects the size of Hermosa every year between now and 2034. Ours is the world's only zinc discovery of this scale in the last 10 to 15 years. The background: You've said that Hermosa is designed to be a "next-generation" mine. What does this mean? Risner: When we began this project about six years ago, our ambition was to create a mine that sets a new standard for sustainable mining and benefits a socioeconomically disadvantaged region at the same time. We have a road map for Hermosa to be a net-zero mining operation. We've placed the largest order in industry history for battery electric equipment fleets, which will be used underground. We've designed our mine to minimize disturbance, which is often a big challenge for the industry. We will only disturb 750 acres throughout the mine's life; your average open-pit mine spans 10,000-plus acres. We use 90% less water than typical mines in the region around us. We're committed to having 80% of our workforce from the local community. We will also train them. The challenge: How has South32 Hermosa navigated challenges around the permitting process? Risner: The heart of that issue is often around stakeholder and social license issues. Our industry has a history of waiting to engage [local] Tribes for regulatory processes. Long before we filed a permit application, we did cultural work on an area 40 times the size of our footprint and engaged transparently with up to 14 different tribes. We are also developing what we typically call a "good neighbor agreement" — or, a Community Protection and Benefits Agreement with local communities and government to help memorialize long-term social investment. Our goal is to help the area realize its long-term vision beyond mining while committing to environmental protection measures. Here's what else: South32 Hermosa is the first, and currently only, covered project in the federal government's FAST-41 permitting program. How has this affected your initiative? Risner: We're seeing much more improved timelines. The permitting council that oversees FAST-41 projects works to zero in on administrative delays. As a result, there's better inter-agency coordination and more resources. There is a collective will to complete this process within a determined timeline. Also, the Forest Service just published our Draft Environmental Statements (EIS), and we'll have a Final EIS decision next July. This milestone will happen about two years into a process that typically takes six or seven years. Looking ahead: What role can the federal government play in supporting mining projects like South32 Hermosa? Risner: There are a lot of opportunities to [advance] policies around market development and tax incentives. I also believe strengthening relationships with Mexico and Canada is important. Many refining and downstream processing issues can be resolved via partnerships in those countries. Lastly, there's a lot of opportunity around byproducts.
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Big walk set to end with big talk as activist trek 250km calling for an end to forest mining
At the end of a 250km walk most people would be looking for a bed — but activist Ricky England will be reaching for the megaphone. Taking the first steps of an enormous trek, Mr England and several other activists embarked on a walk from Dwellingup to Perth in a bid to end forest mining. The Denmark-based clinical social worker took off from Dwellingup Discovery Centre on Saturday and is spending the next 10 days on the Bibbulmun Track, aiming to arrive at Parliament House on June 2 for a public rally at the Supreme Court Gardens at 2pm. England said the walk aimed to shine a light on the expansion of forest mining by mining companies Alcoa and South 32. 'They (mining companies) want to move into 30,672ha of bush, which for the average Joe, is about 6800 footy fields,' he said. 'We're calling on the government to make an important decision, and we're also calling on people to come to the rally.' The route was chosen for a number of reasons, from its proximity to mining operations and its significance to Bindjareb, Wiilman and Whadjuk Noongar peoples to its recognition as one of Western Australia's most iconic walking trails. 'People come from all over the world to walk this track,' he said. 'It's really significant to have this kind of impact on the Bibbulmun track as well as the Munda Biddi trail.' Before setting off, Bindjareb man Theo Kearing welcomed the hikers to the country and spoke of the significance of the forest to his people. 'I want to let Alcoa know, it's not about the here and now,' he said. 'It's not about how much money you can make, it's about the next generations to come. 'I'm sure everybody wants their great-grandkids and what-not to go into the area that we were always able to go to.' Mr England said he would be offering piggyback rides to a number of people along the way, with Rove McManus and Judith Lucy reported to have taken him up on the offer. Prior to the walk England was able to get in some piggyback training with South West local and musician John Butler. 'I'm offering Premier Roger Cook, Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn, and chair of the Environmental Protection Authority Darren Walsh to join me on the walk,' he said. 'I want to show them the precious places they are happy to destroy. 'They don't realise the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail are under attack, with relocations of these tracks happening regularly and more planned. Bush walkers are not happy and there are a lot of us.' The walk is supported by the WA Forest Alliance, the Conservation Council of WA, the Wilderness Society and End Forest Mining with funds raised to continue their cause.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Eagle's 30,000 metre Drill Campaign at NAK is Underway
Highlights: 2025 Drill Program Objectives: Expand high-grade, near-surface copper-gold in the south of the Main Zone Identify new high-grade copper mineralization in the north of the Main Zone and at depth Drill newly identified targets via large step-outs in untested areas on the property Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 22, 2025) - American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) (OTCQB: AMEGF) ("American Eagle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a fully funded 30,000-metre drill program at its NAK copper-gold porphyry project ("NAK") in British Columbia is now underway. Watch VP Exploration Neil Prowse Discuss the NAK Drill Program The 2025 program builds on past success coupled with an intensive offseason initiative, during which American Eagle developed a robust interpretive model. The initiative included relogging core, constructing drill sections and level plans, and integrating 3D geophysical interpretations. The model was reviewed with input from South32's technical team and renowned porphyry experts Dr. Alan Wilson and Dr. Steve Garwin (watch video here). This season's objectives are to expand the high-grade, near-surface copper-gold zone in the south section of the Main Zone, identify new high-grade zones north and at depth of the north section of the Main Zone, and drill newly identified targets in untested areas on the property through strategic step-outs defined through integrated geophysical, geological, and geochemical data. Main Zone - Expand Scale and Target High Grade:Initial drilling in the Main Zone will target untested segments of mineralized trends and dyke phases where they intersect the property's preferred stratigraphic host rocks. Priority will be placed on near-surface, higher-grade areas, especially those adjacent to and along trend from the gold enriched south section of the Main Zone. In parallel, significant effort will be dedicated to testing mineralized dykes with higher-tenor sulfide content, which are increasingly prevalent within and to the north and east of the copper enriched north section of the Main Zone. New Untested Targets: Several high-priority targets surround the entirety of the Babine porphyry stock. These include the largely untested "IP Embayment" south of drill hole NAK23-09, which features localized outcropping mineralization and some of the highest Cu- and Au-in-soil geochemistry on the mainly till-covered NAK property. Exploration efforts will also be directed to the eastern margin of the stock, where drilling will follow up on shallow, strongly anomalous historical intercepts. The planned collars will step significantly east of previous drilling and target a compelling geophysical anomaly-a coincident chargeability, resistivity, and magnetic high-mirroring geophysical signatures encountered successfully west of the stock Additional drilling with support from strategic partners South32 is planned for the far southeast of the property, testing the prominent structural fabric visible in the magnetic surveys, coinciding with a broad IP resistivity anomaly that bears considerable resemblance to the well mineralized main zone. South32 has also highlighted several zones of interest within the stock, and through the encompassing IP chargeability anomaly to the north of the stock that will also be tested in 2025. See NAK Planned Drill Locations NAK presents a rare combination of compelling geology and favorable logistics. The project benefits from road access, low elevation, gentle terrain, and nearby infrastructure. High-grade copper and gold mineralization has already been identified at surface and at depth, with significant potential to expand known zones and discover new ones across the broader property. This drill program is expected to exceed the total metres drilled across American Eagle's previous three exploration seasons at NAK. "American Eagle offers investors exposure to a fully funded drill program with no additional capital required over the next few drill seasons. Building on the significant work of American Eagle's technical team over the past seven months, South32 have lent significant resources to help design a robust drill plan to prove that the near-surface copper-gold zone is economically viable in this cycle, while also drilling newly identified targets with potential to support a multi-decade copper-gold-porphyry project. With drilling to commence in the coming days, news flow will extend well into 2026, providing numerous catalysts for investors," said CEO Anthony Moreau. About American Eagle's NAK Project The NAK Project lies within the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of central British Columbia. It has excellent infrastructure through all-season roads and is close to the towns of Smithers, Houston, and Burns Lake, B.C., which lie along a major rail line and Provincial Highway 16. Historical drilling and geophysical, geological, and geochemical work at NAK, which began in the 1960's, tested only to shallow depths. Still, the work revealed a very large near-surface copper-gold system that measures over 1.5 km x 1.5 km. Drilling completed by American Eagle in 2022, 2023, and 2024 returned significant intervals of high-grade copper-gold mineralization that reached beyond and much deeper than the historical drilling, indicating that zones of near-surface and deeper mineralization, locally with considerably higher grades, exist within the broader NAK property mineralizing system. For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: About American Eagle Gold Corp. American Eagle is dedicated to advancing its NAK copper-gold porphyry project in west-central British Columbia, Canada. The Company benefits from over $37 million in cash, bolstered by two strategic investors formed in the past two years with Teck Resources and South32. With substantial financial and technical resources, American Eagle Gold is well-positioned to drill, de-risk, and define the full potential of the NAK Copper-Gold porphyry project. Anthony Moreau, Chief Executive Officer416.644.1567amoreau@ Q.P. Statement Mark Bradley, a Certified Professional Geologist and 'qualified person' for the purposes of Canada's National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the closing of the repurchase of Consideration Shares, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the exemptive relief order from the Ontario Securities Commission, its anticipated results at the Company's NAK project, and other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
ABC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
South32's manganese mine resumes exports from Groote Eylandt, year after cyclone
South32's Groote Eylandt manganese mine has resumed exports for the first time since severe cyclone damage to its wharf halted operations last year. The Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) mine was badly damaged when Tropical Cyclone Megan hit the Northern Territory island in March 2024. Its wharf was destroyed by a loaded bulk carrier that smashed into the structure during cyclonic winds and high tides. Heavy rainfall also flooded the mine's pits and damaged a critical bridge and several roads. The damage led to GEMCO — a subsidiary of South32 — suspending mining and manganese exports, with the expectation shipments would resume between January and March 2025. In a statement this week, South32 announced export sales had resumed after a "recovery effort of immense scale and complexity". South32 chief operating officer Vanessa Torres told the NT Country Hour the first ship docked at the new wharf on Monday. "That will be the first export of ore from GEMCO over the last year since Cyclone Megan hit," she said. Ms Torres said rebuilding the wharf had been a huge effort, with about 317,000 hours of work involved and the removal of some 970 tonnes of steel and 740 tonnes of concrete. She said the mine's old wharf — constructed 60 years ago — had been completely rebuilt with new technology, making for "a significantly upgraded facility" that could withstand another cyclone event. Ms Torres said GEMCO had been able to retain its workforce of about 1,000 workers throughout the exports suspension period. Local member for Arnhem Selena Uibo said it was "great news" exports were resuming. "The export of manganese off Groote Eylandt will make a huge impact in terms of the territory's economy, but particularly for Groote Eylandt and the income that provides," she said. Ms Torres said the cost of the clean-up and rebuild at the GEMCO mine had not been finalised, but would be revealed when the company provided its annual results to the market. In its 2024 annual report, South32 said the mining halt had cost the company $US93 million ($137 million at the then exchange rate), while repairs to the wharf, a bridge and other infrastructure were expected to cost $US125 million ($184 million). South32 received $555 million in insurance payments for the cyclone damage. In its statement this week, South32 said it expected export sales from the GEMCO mine to increase over the June 2025 quarter and return to "normalised rates" over the 2025-26 financial year.
