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Collaborating on Trends In Mining, Investment and Innovation Towards a Sustainable Future
Tomorrow global leaders will collaborate on trends in mining, investment, and innovation towards a sustainable future at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) at the ICC Sydney.
The most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector’s entire value chain will be explored during the three-day forum with leading experts in their fields sharing their valuable knowledge, experiences, and insights with a record number of delegates from 108 countries.
Ahead of the conference opening, industry specialists share their take on the trends that will be collaborated on at Australia’s largest and most significant mining conference and expo.
NET ZERO MINING
Decarbonisation is arguably the biggest challenge facing the industry right now, which has historically been heavily reliant on fossil fuels not only as a resource, but also as a key fuel supporting much of its operations.
Given the ever-growing awareness around Greenhouse Gas emissions and climate change, Warm Springs Consulting Managing Partner Amber Bieg says mining companies and other emitter will likely only face more scrutiny until decarbonisation really kicks into gear.
“As always, money talks; while regulatory bodies may move slowly in their efforts to curb emissions, shareholders are not as patient. If a move toward more sustainable operations can help ease public pressure, build trust, reduce scrutiny and, in turn, improve the bottom line, shareholders will demand it. Investors are placing pressure on mining companies to take responsibility.
With the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies as a key focus within a majority of businesses around the world, the entire mining value chain is working to change.
Ms. Bieg adds, “It’s not just the largest mining companies that are taking action. According to a 2020 White & Case survey of mining sector companies, over 26% of respondents said ESG policies will be the main priority for the mining sector, and over 12% said climate change response would be the top priority.
“When combined, ESG and climate change responses emerge as the top priorities for mining companies. This makes sense given the mining sector’s unique climate change vulnerability from both a financial standpoint, stakeholder concern, and physical infrastructure risk.”
MINE REPURPOSING & REHABILITATION
In line with their commitment to sustainability, mining and resources operators are now looking years - sometimes decades - into the future, towards the rehabilitation or repurposing of their mine sites before they have even broken ground.
It’s a vital process according to Planning and Environment Specialist and MinterEllison Partner Simon Ball, who says these sites can take many forms and have already been used to grow crops, create new bodies of water an even house underground scientific research centres.
He says, “Repurposing is critical because it defines the legacy left by an organisation that has usually operated in an area for many years, even decades. When done well, repurposing provides an opportunity for that legacy to be positive for the local communities and other stakeholders, whether that be in the form of social benefits, such as providing lakes for recreational activities, or economically productive land uses like agriculture or pumped hydro.”
Mr. Ball notes the incredibly positive and meaningful impact these sites can have if planned correctly, with stakeholder and community engagement in mind.
“A successful re-purposing begins by considering and planning for sustainable post-mining land uses from the earliest stages of mine planning. It is also an iterative activity that continues throughout the mining lifecycle, adapting as further information, for example about community expectations, is gathered. Another key step in facilitating a successful repurposing is to engage early with the full range of stakeholders to gain their input as part of a thorough consultation process about post-mining land use,” he says.
ELECTRIFICATION
One of the most talked about trends in mining is key to solving these challenges that are facing a sector at an unprecedented cross-roads.
Chair of Austmine, Dallas Wilkinson, says he sees the most exciting potential around electrification, with increasingly sophisticated technologies leading to incredible advances and innovations across the value chain.
“We’re seeing a one in 100-year opportunity as an industry right now to make a change, and when coupled with the data aspects that leads us into AI and that leads us into ways of doing things differently with automation, robotics and digitisation as well as decarbonisation. So electrification is almost a trigger point for other trends,” Mr. Wilkinson says.
“It brings with it an opportunity to influence the future for many, many generations. In my view, it's really a pivot point for us. It's going from classic diesel type situations into electrification. It's going from almost no governance to full on social governance and decarbonisation is driving that as we know it.”
And the journey towards electrification, and the innovations that come with it, is being sped up by cross-industry collaboration with once siloed sectors now working together on technological advancements.
Mr Wilkinson says “We’re seeing an exciting intersection of lot of different technologies now coming together. You're seeing organisations in the METS sector working across mining, military, space and agriculture as well, all utilizing the same sort of advances in technology to the advantage of all of those industries.”
INVESTMENT IN FUTURE FACING & CRITICAL MINERALS
Much of that technology is leading to more sustainable operations, with mining increasing significantly to source enough future facing and critical minerals needed for a greener future.
This has seen many investors and businesses pivot away from the likes of coal - a necessary energy source right now but unlikely to be a long-term fixture.
IMARC Conference Director Sherene Asnasyous has worked closely with businesses across the entire mining value chain for several years and says there’s been a significant shift in conversation ahead of this year’s forum compared with previous events.
“Everyone in the industry knows that investment in and the use of coal isn’t going to go away overnight. It's not something you just switch on and off. I think the question is how do you balance that shift from coal to future facing and critical minerals.”
Ms. Asnasyous says the increased focus on future facing and critical minerals was a key topic of conversation at the SW Pre-IMARC Energy & Resources Industry Lunch.
“The key takeaway was the most lucrative investment from a short-term perspective is not necessarily where money's going to come from in the long term, so investors are having to pivot and invest in future projects that are going to be long-term and sustainable – not only in terms of the types of materials being mined, but also the innovative environmental strategies being used to operate mine sites, transport minerals and get the commodities around the world.”
IMARC presents a key opportunity for investors to connect with businesses making meaningful changes to their operations but many more conversations and collaborations are required.
“These intentions, strategies and commitments are all well and good, but they can't happen in silo. There must be collaboration across the industry and with the government, mining communities and investors coming together to address all of the challenges facing the sector.”
WORKFORCE & CULTURE
None of these challenges can be properly addressed without a skilled and sustained workforce employed right across the mining value chain – an issue that has been threatening to cripple the sector since before the pandemic struck.
PWC’s National Mining Leader Debbie Smith points to a lack of new graduates combined with a major increase in competitive industries as a key reason for the shortage.
“If you looked at the number of mining engineers that were graduating from Australian universities 10 years ago, there was approximately 250. If you looked at how many mining engineers graduated in 2020 - it was 100.
“You’ve also had a huge investment in infrastructure and so a lot of those skills that are required in in big building projects are the same skills that you also need at the mine sites. So you've got some of those workers who now have a choice about whether they're out at a mine site, or working on a construction project in a metropolitan area.”
Ms. Smith says the mining industry needs to come up with more creative solutions to address this crisis, one of which could involve reconsidering the effectiveness of FIFO mining sites.
“During COVID, the concept of everything having to be on-site has been challenged. How much can be done within regional hubs or from people's homes was really challenged and it was certainly found that in order to protect those essential workers on-site, more people were forced to work remotely,” she says.
“I do think that they're going to have to look at whether FIFO is an attractive proposition going forward, or whether you have to look more to investment in vibrant regional towns and communities that facilitate not just the workers but their families as well.”
“There is also a role the government needs to play in working with the industry to ensure they are properly investing in regional mining communities. Having communities that are solely reliant on single mine operations and not diversified is an opportunity to think through.
ENDS
About
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is where global mining leaders collaborate on trends in mining, investment and innovation towards a sustainable future. As Australia’s largest mining event, it brings together over 7,500 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators, and educators from more than 100 countries for three days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking. IMARC is developed in collaboration with its founding partners the Victorian State Government of Australia, Austmine, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and Mines and Money.
Register for a media pass here.
Media Enquiries
Jim Carden
+61 429 112 381
Spearmint More Than Doubles the Acreage of the George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick, Canada
Spearmint Resources Inc. (CSE: SPMT) (OTC Pink: SPMTF) (FSE: A2AHL5) (the "Company" or "Spearmint") wishes to announce that it has more than doubled the acreage on the recently acquired George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick, Canada. This project now consists of 4,722 contiguous acres prospective for antimony.
James Nelson, President of Spearmint, stated, "In light of the recent ban of antimony by China to the USA, we made this strategic acquisition increasing the size of the George Lake South Antimony Project. Management feels that antimony will be one of the most sought after resources in 2025 and we plan to pursue this space with vigor and are currently evaluating additional projects. Management is formulating a plan on the George Lake South Antimony Project, and management also intends to update the market on Spearmint's crypto diversification plan in the near future as well. These are truly exciting times for Spearmint and Spearmint shareholders."
Recently, China banned exports of critical minerals, including antimony, to the United States. As trade tensions escalate between the United States and China, this move clearly emphasizes the urgent need for Western nations to secure reliable long-term sources of these critical minerals, which are now at the forefront of the global supply chain crisis.
Antimony is an essential component in semi-conductors, battery storage technology, and has several military applications. Prices of antimony trioxide in Rotterdam had soared by 228 per cent since the beginning of the year to $39,000 a metric tonne on Nov. 28, as shown by data from information provider Argus. The move is a considerable escalation of tensions in supply chains where access to raw material units is already tight in the West.
This new project is in the direct vicinity of the Lake George Antimony Mine in New Brunswick which was operated intermittently from 1876 to 1996 and was once the largest primary antimony producer in North America. Antimony's primary uses are:
- Semiconductors and Electronics: The growing electronics and semiconductor industries require antimony, making it a critical material for technological development, including infrared sensors and components for military and aerospace uses.
- Battery Technology: Antimony is also used in lead-acid batteries and in emerging technologies, such as energy storage and lithium-ion battery enhancements, which is a significant driver of demand in the future.
- Flame Retardants: The demand for antimony remains strong due to its use in flame-retardant materials, which are essential in a wide range of products like textiles, electronics, and plastics. As safety regulations around fire-resistant materials become stricter, the need for antimony-based compounds continues to grow.
About Spearmint Resources Inc.
Spearmint holds the include four projects in Clayton Valley, Nevada: the 1,136-acre McGee lithium clay deposit, which has a resource estimate of 1,369,000 indicated tonnes and 723,000 inferred tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for a total of 2,092,000 tonnes of LCE, directly bordering Pure Energy Minerals & Century Lithium Corp.; the 280-acre Elon lithium brine project, which has access to some of the deepest parts of the only lithium brine basin in production in North America; the 124-acre Green Clay lithium project; and the 248-acre Clayton Ridge gold project and now the 4,722 acre George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick.
For a cautionary note and disclaimer on the crypto diversification, please refer to the news release dated November 12, 2024.
Qualified person for mining disclosure:
The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
This property was acquired via staking.
Contact Information
Tel: 1-604-646-6903
www.spearmintresources.ca
"James Nelson"
President
Spearmint Resources Inc.
High grade Assay Results Continue at Youanmi
West Australian gold exploration and development company, Rox Resources Limited (“Rox” or “the Company”) (ASX: RXL), has received the final batch of assays from its 11,000m DD and RC program at the Youanmi Gold Project in WA.
- The latest batch of assays have been received from the 11,000m drilling program (both diamond core and reverse circulation) at the high gold-grade Youanmi Gold Project, located centrally in Western Australia’s prolific gold fields
- The recently-completed infill/exploration program aimed to improve resource confidence and open up corridors for resource growth; to underpin the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), and, additionally, provide sample material for ongoing metallurgical optimisation test-work for the DFS program
- Latest highlights from the program include:
- RXDD131: 4.38m @ 19.07 g/t Au from 387.98m,
- incl. 1.73m @ 41.43 g/t Au from 389.96m
- RXDD119: 4.56m @ 14.60 g/t Au from 220.64m
- RXDD115: 2.99m @ 21.11 g/t Au from 249.88m
- RXDD119: 4.0m @ 7.37 g/t Au from 162.0m
- RXDD132: 7.19m @ 3.90 g/t Au from 263.61m
- RXDD133: 2.83m @ 6.53 g/t Au from 431.00m
- RXDD128: 3.82m @ 4.51 g/t Au from 364.59m,
- incl. 1.73m @ 8.22 g/t Au from 364.59m
- incl. 1.73m @ 8.22 g/t Au from 364.59m
- RXDD122: 0.95m @ 13.50 g/t Au from 204.44m
- §These results further demonstrate the continuity of high- grade gold mineralisation along the Youanmi greenstone belt belt, and the potential for resource growth both at depth and along-strike, with discovery potential to the south
- 35,000m Step-up drill campaign well underway with the plan to bring forward ounces and increase the mine plan
The program focused on converting Inferred stopes at Pollard, United North and Youanmi Main to higher confidence Indicated classification and providing material for metallurgical testing for the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) – on track for H2 CY25.
This final consignment of diamond assay results are the fourth batch of assays results returned from the drill program and have been entirely drilled from the Pollard, Youanmi and United North areas (Figure 1).
Rox Resources’ Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Wilding, commented:
“It’s pleasing to round out the 11,000m RD and DD drilling program with another batch of excellent intercepts.
“More importantly, the program has significantly improved our knowledge of the high grade and underexplored Youanmi ore system, and shown that mineralisation remains open at depth.
“Next steps are to convert Inferred areas of the Resource to the higher confidence Indicated classification, and finalise key intercepts of sample material for metallurgical test work to feed into the Youanmi DFS.
“We are excited to have commenced the 35,000m Step-up program to potentially bring forward ounces in the mine plan and significantly increase the size of the Pollard ore zone.”
Youanmi Major Growth Drill program
Resource drilling has focused on converting selected Inferred stopes in the current Mineral Resource of 16.2Mt at 4.4g/t Au for 2.3Moz (Indicated: 10.7Mt at 4.5g/t Au for 1.6 Moz : Inferred 5.5Mt at 4.2g/t Au for 0.7 Moz) 1 to higher confidence Indicated classification at Pollard, United North and Youanmi Main as shown in plan on Figure 1. The drilling has also provided both sample material for metallurgical testing and valuable geological data for the pending Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) planned for second half of 2025.
Figure 1: Plan view of the Youanmi Gold Project featuring drill hole collar locations and 2024 Resource outline overprinted on aerial photography
Outside of the immediate resource area, drilling was also conducted on near-mine exploration and focused on the Youanmi South prospect area, or Paddy’s Lode, first reporting high-grade intercepts in 20232. The drilling at Paddy’s has complimented the Company’s exploration strategy moving south along the Main Lode Shear Zone (MLSZ) and adding additional gold ounces to the Resource. Youanmi South has the potential to grow the Resource above the 103kozpa Production Target outlined in the recently completed Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”)3.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Rox Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Drilling Commenced at Viani in Fiji
Alice Queen Limited (ASX:AQX) (“Alice Queen” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at its 100% owned Viani Project in Vanua Levu, Fiji (see Image 1). The initial planned three-hole diamond drilling program will test for high-grade epithermal gold-style mineralisation intersected at the Viani Project by historic drilling.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Phase 1, three-hole diamond drilling program has commenced at the Viani Project, Fiji and will test for extensions to the quartz vein gold mineralisation at depth.
- Phase 1 is expected to be completed in early 2025, with plans for additional drilling under the same program dependent on the initial results
- The Viani Project (SPL1513) covers an area of approximately 200km2 and is largely underexplored.
- At the Dakuniba prospect within Viani, low sulphidation epithermal high-grade gold mineralisation has been mapped over >3km strike length.
- Diamond drilling completed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1995 to 1997 intersected high-grade gold in low sulphidation epithermal quartz veins, including 0.6m @ 27.6 g/t Au.
With drilling underway, Alice Queen is positioned to test the epithermal gold-style mineralisation identified in historic drilling at the Viani Project. Weather permitting, we anticipate completing the Phase 1, three-hole diamond drilling program in early 2025. Following this, our exploration team will mobilise the drill rig to the Sabeto Project in Fiji to maintain the momentum of this campaign. To deliver timely results to shareholders, we intend to accelerate the analysis of the drill core at ALS Brisbane.”
Image 1 – Diamond drilling at Viani
Details
Geology
The geology of the Viani Project (SPL 1513) comprises olivine basalts and volcaniclastics of the Natewa Volcanic Group which are intruded by andesite sills and dykes. In the 1940s, gold mineralisation was found by local prospectors near the village of Dakuniba. At Dakuniba, low sulphidation style epithermal gold occurs in quartz veins, and silicified rocks along a 3km long NE trending zone.
In 1995-1997, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) drilled six diamond holes at Dakuniba and intersected high-grade gold in chalcedonic, crustiform, colloform banded quartz veins at depths of 50m to 100m below surface (i.e. MJVFV-5 intersected 2.2m @ 11.3 g/t Au, incl 0.6m @ 27.6 g/t Au at 121m downhole). This high-grade gold mineralisation is open in all directions.
Proposed Drill program
The initial Phase 1 drill program at Viani (see Table 1) will comprise three diamond drillholes designed to test continuity to the epithermal gold mineralisation previously intersected in JICA drillhole MJVFV- 5 (2.2m @ 11.3 g/t Au) (see Figure 2). The drilling will test for extensions to the gold mineralisation at depth and along strike.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Alice Queen Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
FireFly Drills its Best Hole Yet with Assay of 86.3m at 3.7% CuEq
Latest drilling returns very thick intersections with exceptional grades, outlining a rich area of mineralistion which will form part of the next Resource update
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) (“Company” or “Firefly”) is pleased to announce its best assays yet at the Green Bay copper-gold project.
- Latest drilling at the Ming Mine within the Green Bay Project returns spectacular results which support the Company’s strategy to continue growing the Resource (currently 59Mt at 2% CuEq; see ASX release dated 29 October 2024)
- There are two distinct styles of mineralisation at Ming; upper copper-gold rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (‘VMS’) lenses above a broad copper footwall stringer zone (‘FWZ’)
- The latest drilling reveals strong FWZ mineralisation directly below the high-grade VMS; This has resulted in continuous copper-gold intersections which are both wide (~true thickness) and high-grade, including drill holes:
- 86.3m @ 3.7% CuEq 1 (3.1% Cu & 0.6g/t Au) in hole MUG24-079
Intersection includes two distinct VMS lodes grading 15.5m @ 4.6% CuEq and 9.9m @ 5.8% CuEq above a broad copper FWZ intersection with a high-grade core of 27.6m @ 5.3% CuEq
- 76.3m @ 2.9% CuEq (2.4% Cu & 0.5g/t Au) in hole MUG24-073
Intersection includes an upper VMS lode grading 20.1m @ 6.1% CuEq above multiple FWZ intersections including 24.0m @ 2.6% CuEq and 11.0m @ 2.4% CuEq
- Other notable assays received subsequent to the completion of the October 2024 Resource update include (~true thickness):
- 7.9m @ 3.8% CuEq (1.1% Cu & 2.9g/t Au) VMS zone MUG24-070
- 21.0m @ 1.8% CuEq and 21.9m @ 1.9% CuEq and 19.7m @ 2.0% CuEq FWZ zone MUG24-070
- 50.9m @ 1.7% CuEq (1.6% Cu & 0.1g/t Au) FWZ zone MUG24-069
- Both the high-grade massive sulphide zones and broad footwall stringer zones remain open, with downhole geophysical surveys indicating likely extensions to the mineralisation
FireFly Managing Director Steve Parsons said: “These exceptional new results highlight both the quality and ongoing growth potential at Green Bay.
”The results, which come from some of the deepest holes drilled to date, are world-class, demonstrating exceptionally high grades over huge true widths. They will be included in the next Resource update.
“The Resource remains open, and we will continue to add value through the drill bit by continuing to grow and infill what is already a high-grade and large-scale copper deposit”.
The results highlight the huge scope for ongoing growth in the Resource, which already stands at 59Mt @ 2% for 1.2Mt of contained copper metal equivalent.
These reported intersections were received after the October 2024 Resource update.
There are two distinct styles of mineralisation at the Ming underground mine at Green Bay. One comprises the upper copper-gold rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (‘VMS’) lenses. This sits above a broad copper stringer zone known as the Footwall Zone (‘FWZ’).
Drilling at the margins of the current Resource show the development of a strong copper-rich footwall zone directly beneath the upper VMS lenses. In other parts of the deposit the separation of the VMS and FWZ can exceed 50 metres. Their convergence has resulted in thick and consistent high-grade copper and gold intersections which are amongst the best mineralised results returned from the deposit to date. Highlights include 86.3m @ 3.7% CuEq (~true thickness) made up of two separate VMS intersections of 15.5m @ 4.6% CuEq and 9.9m @ 5.8% CuEq above a thick FWZ mineralised zone with a core of 27.6m @ 5.3% CuEq.
Both the high-grade massive sulphide zones and broad footwall stringer zones remain open, with downhole geophysical surveys indicating probable extensions to the mineralisation pointing to future resource growth.
The Company will continue with its strategy of Resource growth at Ming with exploration development continuing to position drill rigs to deliver Resource growth during 2025. Four rigs continue to drill underground as part of the fully-funded 130,000m campaign designed to deliver both additional Resource extensions and infill drilling to increase confidence in the Inferred areas of the current estimate.
FireFly is well funded with ~A$88M in cash at the end of October 2024.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Firefly Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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