The Australian Mining Review December 2025 Edition

FIRST Quantum Minerals expects to ship its first nickel concentrate from its mine in Ravensthorpe, WA, by April this year. The first shipment of sulphur, a vital component of nickel production, arrived through the Esperance port last week. The Canadian company has made significant upgrades to the processing plant since acquiring it in February 2010 for the cut-throat price of $340m. The plant cost BHP Billiton $3b to build and commission. When it was closed in 2017, it was the nickel project’s second major closure and loss of jobs. The mine is wholly owned by First Quantum and currently employs around 250 people with another 100 jobs projected to be filled. Locals and residents from the vicinity have filled many…

The Queensland Government has announced funding to support the implementation of the North West Queensland Regional Transformation Strategy. Following extensive community, local government and industry consultation, the plan identifies key economic strengths and industry priorities based on the region’s unique geography, resources and workforce skills. To kickstart the transformation, the Queensland Government will provide $22.05m from the $200m Regional Economic Futures Fund for 19 Queensland Government and council-led projects. This includes $7.4m for TAFE to deliver renewable energy and critical minerals training, including via Queensland’s first Renewable Energy Training Truck and $750k for a co-designed investment plan to grow First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals. Queensland State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace says regional Queensland has an important role…

Alcoa is on the hunt for graduates in electrical, geotechnical and mine engineering, chemical, mechanical and environmental science for its 2025 graduate program. This three-year program offers graduates job opportunities at Alcoa’s bauxite mines and alumina refineries in the Peel and Upper South West regions, as well as its Australian headquarters in WA. Former graduate program recruit Vani Gupta says one of the greatest benefits of the program was the immersive nature of the role and the support it offered. “Through the graduate program, I really got to experience what refinery life was like,” she said. “You’re not just working at a computer, you’re going into the field, seeing what changes you need to make, and then troubleshooting on bigger…

Less than a year after Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) signed a Mining Convention with the Government of Gabon, the mining giant’s first product from its Belinga iron ore project is ready for shipment. This marks the first time the company has exported iron ore from a port outside of Australia. Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto is pleased with the progress following the signing of the Mining Convention on 8 February 2023. “This is a truly remarkable achievement by the team in such a short period of time and marks a key milestone in the early-stage mine development in Gabon,” he said. “This project has the potential to revolutionise our portfolio and ultimately create a product that will be…