James Sorahan

This week in the NT Parliament our Government passed the Mineral Royalties Bill 2024. The Mineral Royalties Bill 2024 introduces a new ad valorem royalty scheme from 1 July 2024 for the calculation, payment and administration of mineral royalties for new mines that commence from 2024. The current profit-based mineral royalties scheme contained in the Mineral Royalty Act 1982 will be grandfathered for all existing mines that were in production in the 2023 calendar year. The Territory’s current mineral royalty scheme was developed in the 1980s and over time has been subject to numerous amendments, adding to the complexity of the scheme both for producers and administrators. The industry has undergone substantial technological and operational transformation over the past 40 years with the demand for minerals, and more recently critical minerals, making the Territory uniquely positioned to supply this growing demand. The new mineral royalty framework is an ad valorem based scheme. Ad valorem royalty models are preferred and understood by industry and are based on the principle that royalty is applied to only the value of the mineral resource extracted. The scheme incorporates four mineral treatment categories, applying four royalty rates that balance competitiveness with other jurisdictions while also ensuring that the Territory receives a fair return for its natural resources. The four royalty rates that will apply are 7.5% for the least refined minerals, 5% for concentrates, 3.5% for chemically refined minerals and 2.5% for final or highly processed minerals. Mark Monaghan Minerals Council of Australia - NT

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A few weeks ago, Professor Rod Sims AO and I spent a couple of hours going through the steel industry decarbonisation transition that is shifting global supply chains and creating demand for green iron as the new feed stock for green steel mills. Rod's keynote address at today's CEDA event centred on Australia's enormous emergent opportunity: to take full advantage of our renewable energy "comparative advantage" (we have it, others need it) by creating new export industries that EMBED that energy in products that other nations need to meet their climate commitments - starting with green iron. In this way, Australia can not only punch well above its weight in terms of emissions reductions, but also reap the massive economic rewards on offer - making Australia an "economic superpower". The Superpower Institute However ... there is no green iron industry without premium grade iron ore concentrates to feed it, such as those that will be produced by Magnetite Mines' massive Razorback Iron Ore Project in South Australia. Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia

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Iluka Resources orders equipment for Australia’s first rare earths refinery Mining company Iluka Resources has awarded long lead procurement packages for key equipment for the company’s planned rare earths refinery at its Eneabba zircon mine in Western Australia – the first refinery for rare earths in Australia for the minerals used in high technology products. The company is procuring the roasting kiln, solvent exchange agitators, ion exchange system, spiral heat exchangers and boilers for the project which is supported by a $1.25 billion non-recourse loan through the federal government’s $2 billion Critical Minerals Facility. Bulk earth works and ground improvement activities for the refinery, which has an estimated capital cost of $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion, were completed in 2023. Until now rare earth ores produced in Australia have been exported for treatment, including by the largest rare earths producer outside China, Lynas Rare Earths, which produces metals at its Malaysian plant. The new refinery will capture more of the economic value of the minerals onshore, and enable the development of downstream industries. The Eneabba refinery will be big enough to treat ores from other Australian producers. #manufacturing #manufacturingnews #RareEarths @IlukaResources Iluka Resources https://lnkd.in/gRGDhMts

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Some breaking news – we’re taking the Queensland Government to the Planning and Environment court to fight a clear misuse of the state’s environmental laws. We have applied for a review of a 2023 Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation decision to impose a punitive Environmental Protection Order on our business despite the fact no environmental harm or breach of regulations had occurred at our Carmichael mine in central Queensland. The Carmichael mine has some of the strictest environmental conditions of any resources project in Australia’s history and we’re proud to comply with those approvals. We don’t need unnecessary regulator overreach when the requirements of our comprehensive Environmental Authority (EA) approvals are already being met. It’s not okay for regulators to unfairly target law abiding businesses and make us out to be villains when we had already publicly committed to the further scientific work that this EPO relates to. It appears the Department is simply buckling to pressure from anti-fossil fuel activists and their supporters in the media who’ll do and say anything to shut Queensland’s coal and gas sector down. An Environmental Protection Order should not be used to apply punitive regulation to businesses that are doing the right thing and already meeting all the requirements of the Department’s own regulations, and it’s decisions like this that make Queenslanders lose faith in the Queensland Government’s willingness to treat responsible businesses fairly. You can read our full statement on our website: https://lnkd.in/gUgrEFns #qldgovernment #mining #environment

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Toubani Resources announced to the market, the new Mali Govt mining code which provides for a framework for mining investment in this mineral rich country. Mining is essential to Mali and much of its economic success depends on a thriving mining industry. We read today that Barrick Gold mulls further exploration investment in Mali - Mining.com.au $TRE #toubaniresources #goldmining #goldinvestment

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🚀 Big news from ASX listed EQ Resources Limited! 🌟 They've just announced the execution of an agreement with Queensland Investment Corporation ("QIC") to provide funding of up to $20M from the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund. I'm proud to have worked with the EQR team supporting this transaction for Mt Carbine, and a huge thank you is due to the teams from QIC, BurnVoir Corporate Finance Ltd, Palaris, Emma McPherson of Rockfinancial their meticulous efforts through the due diligence that brought this to fruition. Your hard work has been crucial in navigating the dynamics of the deal and getting it across the line. The government's support for critical metals projects has been a game-changer, ensuring not just the success of transactions like these but also bolstering operations at Mt Carbine. This move is more than just business—it's about securing a sustainable future for critical metals in the Western world. I'm looking forward to the opportunity this deal affords EQR and the Mt Carbine project. Here's to future growth and continued success in these exciting times! 🌍✨ If you would like to see the announcement, here is the link to the post on the EQR Website: https://shorturl.at/gkryP #CriticalMinerals #CriticalMetals #Tungsten #MiningIndustry #SustainableMining #EQResources

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Consultation has commenced on the design of the proposed Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive. In this article, my colleagues Clare Pope, Julian Cheng and I outline some of the key design principles for the incentive and consider (as much as possible given the early stage of consultation) whether it is likely to achieve the objective of incentivising the downstream processing of minerals in Australia. #criticalminerals #tax #metalsandmining

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The Fraser Institute's annual survey of mining jurisdictions is out. Victoria ranks last of all Australian states on investment attractiveness and policy perceptions at 48th of 86 jurisdictions in 2023. A positive is that Australia overall is the second most attractive region for investment after the United States. The future is bright for Victoria with the establishment of Resources Victoria, new mining approvals legislation reforms, the new mining projects Approvals Coordinator, mining skills training courses all in the last 12 months and advocated for by MCA Victoria. These initiatives are already making a difference as Victoria realises the opportunities mining offers as we move closer to new critical minerals mines. The Victorian Government needs to do more to reform the EES process, create a more investment friendly tax regime, and reform Victoria's exploration licencing regime. https://lnkd.in/ggPMswgm

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AMEC New Member Alert 🚨 AMEC welcomes Renascor Resources Limited as a new Full Member. Renascor Resources Limited (ASX: RNU) is committed to powering the clean energy transition through the development, in Australia, of a vertically integrated graphite mine and manufacturing operation to produce sustainable and ethically-sourced battery anode material for the lithium-ion battery market. The project comprises: Siviour Graphite Deposit – the world’s second largest Proven Reserve of Graphite, the largest outside of Africa Siviour Graphite Mine and Concentrator – delivering world-class operating costs due to the favourable geology and geometry of the deposit Battery Anode Material Production Facility – converting Graphite concentrate to Purified Spherical Graphite using an eco-friendly processing method before export to lithium-ion battery anode manufacturers. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gCymknuG #BatteryAnode #Graphite #Sustainable

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$NTU - Heavy rare earth developer, Northern Minerals is pleased to advise new assay results from the mineral resource definition drilling program at Wolverine deposit. The Browns Range Heavy Rare Earth (HRE) Project is located approximately 160km southeast of the town of Halls Creek, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The results relate to the mineral resource definition drilling program at the Wolverine deposit during FY Q2-Q3 2024, and one remaining drillhole from the previous ore characterization and geotechnical drilling program completed in FY Q3 2023. Executive Chairman Mr. Nick Curtis AM commented: “The new assay results are very encouraging and emphasise the unique nature of the Browns Range system. These results materially increase confidence in the development of the Wolverine deposit as the first mine within the larger Browns Range system. The exceptional results of the newest Wolverine resource definition drilling program and the increased geological understanding from the drill results and the structural association model supports our regional geological understanding and suggests high-grade opportunities beyond the Wolverine deposit out across the broader Browns Range system. This is encouraging for future exploration success. We are grateful that the Company was able to progress this Program as a result of the grant monies received from the Federal Government. We also are very appreciative of the support we have received from our Native Title Partners - The Jaru People who assisted in ensuring required heritage surveys were completed prior to the campaign commencing. The completion of this drilling program is anticipated in mid-May, and the consequential re-evaluation of our mine plan is due in the fourth quarter of this calendar year, the timing of which aligns well with the Company’s planned FID timing.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g2HGvRXC $NTU Nick Curtis AM Shane Hartwig Adam Handley

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Xanadu Mines Ltd | Colin Moorhead | Stockhead TV 📺 Market Talk | Investor Relations and Media Collaborations is an investor event series that brought together seven ASX-listed resource developers and producers for an afternoon of presentations on 6 May at Sydney’s Hubert Theatre Royale. 🗞️ Read the editorial feature here: https://lnkd.in/g9Gzw4Nm -- Hosted by Perth-based ResolveIR and Investability IR and in partnership with Australia's leading news website, covering emerging stories Stockhead , the one-day investor event showcased carefully selected, high growth companies at various levels of development in the resources sector. This week’s #MarketTalk event showcased seven companies that prove there’s still immense value to be unlocked on the ASX. -- Watch the interview with Xanadu Mines Ltd , Colin Moorhead and Stockhead TV 📺👇🏽 https://loom.ly/LyR77ig -- Mongolia-focused #copper and #gold explorer Xanadu Mines Ltd Mines has two early stage exploration assets – the Sant Tolgoi nickel-copper project in the northwest of the country and the Red Mountain copper-gold porphyry project – and its flagship Kharmagtai operation, an advanced porphyry copper project in the South Gobi region not far from the Chinese border. Kharmagtai is a large porphyry copper system that is envisioned to be an open pit mine that will produce ~50,000tpa of copper and 110,000ozpa of gold for 30 years under the scoping study. Improvements to these figures are being considered in the pre-feasibility study that is currently underway. Other improvements that the company is considering include using leaching to turn the oxide waste material at the top of the deposit into ore along with the use of technologies such as coarse particle flotation or electric leaching to further enhance its economics. To top it off, the PFS is funded by a 50/50 joint venture with China’s Zijin Mining Group – one of the largest copper-gold producers in the world. “They (Zijin) have backed us to the chin with $35m and in the upcoming quarter, we will be bringing our PFS together, so all the metallurgy, process engineering, and mining engineering will come together,” Moorhead said. “In the September quarter, we aim to release a maiden ore reserve and details of that PFS. “In the December quarter, we would hope to announce some sort of funding agreement with Zijin to take the project forward.” Nara Kassam Dannika Warburton Anna Kassianos Evy Litopoulos #basemetals #preciousmetals #mining #exploration #stockstowatch #watchlist #investing #asx #stocks #XAM

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I was recently contacted by a European journalist for my thoughts on the impact of social media on the FIFO trend in the Australian mining industry and the interest from international workers. Sharing my experience as a business owner, I would love to know what others’ opinions are on the topic, particularly those working FIFO. Our business helps clients secure highly competitive FIFO positions by creating tailored resumes that stand out in a competitive market. Social media has been integral to the growth of our business and our ability to attract clients applying for roles within the resources sector. Our platforms provide members with a community where they can give and receive advice on FIFO employment and enable us to support job seekers in navigating the complexities of the FIFO industry. We have noticed a significant increase in international clients in recent years. What was once predominantly Australian applicants needing resume assistance is now close to 50% international. Our clients represent a global demographic, most from the UK and Ireland and various countries in Europe. We assist those who are already in Australia or planning to relocate soon with the necessary visas and accommodation in place. All our international clients typically hold a valid Working Holiday Visa and do not require employer sponsorship. I believe TikTok, Facebook and Instagram platforms have significantly contributed to the heightened interest in FIFO roles among young people and international audiences. TikTok and Instagram accounts that showcase the #fifolife often highlight the rewarding salaries, free food and accommodation, and great work rosters—sometimes allowing workers to only be on-site for half the year. These benefits enable workers to enjoy regular travel, luxury items and experiences that might be unattainable in traditional jobs. The impact of TikTok and Instagram on attracting young talent to the Australian mining industry is huge. These social media platforms shine a light on an industry that many might be unaware of without personal connections. By showing a glimpse into the daily lives and benefits of FIFO workers, these platforms have attracted the interest of a younger demographic. This exposure has made the mining industry more accessible and appealing, drawing young talent who are eager to experience the unique opportunities it offers. My advice for FIFO job seekers: 1. Conduct thorough research about the industry and potential roles before making any decisions. 2. Gain relevant and transferable experience. 3. Complete necessary training, tickets and qualifications. Ensure they’re Australian-recognised. 4. Seek out professionals who specialise in FIFO employment services for guidance. 5. Prepare a well-written, industry-specific resume. This can be a key factor in successfully entering the industry. For those currently overseas, ensure you arrange the necessary visas before arriving in Australia. LinkedIn News Australia

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Some light reading for those of you with insomnia. Actually this is a very thorough and over due review of the MRF process and purpose. The findings show that the MRF remains relevant. But how many operators have actively sought to reduce their closure liability and hence MRF bill as a result. When compared to the previous process? What are your thoughts?

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After almost a year out of #miningindustry it feels pretty good to join my colleague Angus Faulkner at the #miningsummit2024 by The Australian Financial Review today! Great line up of speakers reinforcing the importance of #criticalminerals for both Australia's and global #decarbonisation journey and highlighting the Australia's industry broader aspirations to move higher up in the #supplychain: from mining and shipping to processing and manufacturing onshore. The developments in this industry will definitely call for more expertise in #majorprojects development and delivery in the next decade.

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🚨HEADLINE NEWS: MINING ALL STARS BACK UP TO $20 MILLION INVESTMENT IN POWER NICKEL (3% to 30% COPPER EQUIVALENT!) Industry legend Rob McEwen has joined with several other leading mining investors in providing the investor buyback of the proposed $20-million $1.25-per-unit flow-through financing for Power Nickel. The company's strong shareholder base includes at least 11 billionaires and major mining investors including Robert Friedland, providing both validation and financial support. "We think every Power Nickel shareholder wins through this association with some of the most legendary and successful mining investors on the planet. Clearly, they are as excited about the potential for Nisk as we are, and this raise will allow us to really ramp up our exploration efforts over the next 12 to 18 months," commented chief executive officer Terry Lynch. Power Nickel has transformed into an exceptionally high-grade nickel, copper, platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, and silver deposit with outstanding Copper grades as high as 19.85%! "You may have missed the 40cent move but you haven't missed the $4 move and maybe the $40 move!" Terry Lynch. Norilsk, Platreef, and Sakatti are very rare and the Nisk is giving every indication that it will follow in this line of polymetallic discoveries. #copper #nickel #pge #gold #silver $PNPN $PNPNF

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A new report from Deloitte found that the Northern Territory’s $26 million Resourcing the Territory initiative that took place from 2018 to 2022 “led to substantial investments in the NT”. According to the Northern Territory Government, the Resourcing the Territory’s exploration grants program supported 38 projects by 30 companies in the 2023–24 financial year. “The commencement of the initiative in 2018 correlated with a rise in exploration expenditure in the NT,” Deloitte’s outcome evaluation report said. “Since 2018, there has been a noticeable increase in exploration expenditure, with a 38 per cent overall increase between 2018 and 2022. The mineral exploration activity in the NT reached its highest levels in over a decade in 2021–2022.” Learn more via Australian Mining > https://lnkd.in/eDysZ4em #Resources #Exploration #Mining #Investment #Grants #ResourcingTheTerritory #NorthernTerritory #Australia

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Delighted to have the opportunity today to explore some of the tensions and opportunities emerging for land access brought about by the energy transition with this outstanding group of people (and a big shout out to Catherine Garlick who we missed!). We discussed; -tensions for exploration and new mines in an environment where land competition is increased - opportunities for re-purposing mining assets and land for renewable energy projects -how operating and new mines may consider working with renewable energy development projects - potential opportunity created through WA’s new diversification lease tenure - how benefit sharing arrangements with communities have evolved with relevance for mining and renewable energy projects - considering access to pre-competitive data for activating the mining estate for renewable energy projects - questions on who is responsible for planning and identifying potential sterilisation risks The energy transition is giving rise to a new conversation on how we use land with significant implications for mining. There are both opportunities and tensions created by renewable energy project development and as an industry we should be looking across our exploration, operating, closing and legacy mines estate.

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A great two days for us at the Energy and Mines Australia Summit, Crown Perth: The Decarbonised Mine. Zenith Energy was not only present both days in the exhibition hall, Simon Jelly, Executive Resources IPP Growth, participated in the panel with mining and technology experts discussing 'Do Renewables have the Capacity to Support Mining’s Decarbonisation?,' hosted by Dominic Da Cruz, ESG and Stakeholder Engagement at Zenith Energy. We share some images from the event. #energyandmines #WeAreZenithEnergy #Netzero #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #GreenPower #SustainableFuture #Decarbonisation #ClimateAction #CleanTech #ZeroEmissions #CarbonNeutral #GreenTech #ClimateChange #Renewables #LowCarbon #GreenEconomy #windenergy #solarPV #BESS 

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