Ark Mines has updated its exploration target estimate for the Sandy Mitchell rare earths project to 1.3 billion-1.5 billion tonnes at 1286-1903 ppm monazite equivalent (MzEq).

This represents an increase in the MzEq grade from the July 2024 estimate (1.3 billion-1.5 billion tonnes at 1250-1490 ppm MzEq).

This places the Far North Queensland project as potentially one of the world’s largest surface-expressed terrestrial sand based rare earth deposits, according to Ark.

“We are excited to move forward with development for what is a very large deposit within a simple mineralised structure, which can be extracted with an extremely low environmental impact,” executive director Ben Emery said.

“The increase in MzEq grades as part of this updated exploration target will be incorporated into a forthcoming scoping study for Sandy Mitchell, and we look forward to providing further updates on project development once the results of the scoping study are announced.”

Incitec Pivot Limited has appointed Tanya Rybarczyk (pictured right) to the role of Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific president.

She joins DNAP after a 20-year career at Wesfarmers, where she held various senior executive roles.

Previous DNAP president Greg Hayne commenced a new role last month as Dyno Nobel Americas President based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ms Rybarczyk will assume the role in February.

Dr Stephen Grocott (pictured below) has resigned as a non-executive director from the Queensland Pacific Metals board in a move the company said would allow him to focus solely on securing a pathway forward for the TECH project.

Dr Grocott’s decision was made despite receiving overwhelmingly strong support from shareholders, QPM said.

“The board looks forward to his ongoing involvement with the TECH Project where he has already helped QPM achieve so much for this project,” QPM chairman Eddie King said.

“As Stephen has noted in the past, nickel is a cyclical commodity and the potential of the TECH Project to provide a low cost and clean nickel supply will remain compelling in the future.”

QPM in April announced it was stepping back from its TECH battery materials project in Townsville and switching its core focus to advancing its gas and energy assets.

QPM Energy chief executive officer David Wrench took over from Dr Grocott as chief executive officer of QPM at that stage, while Dr Grocott transitioned to the non-executive director role.

A Bowen Basin business has been recognised at the annual awards night for hydraulic hose, fittings, and service organisation Hydraulink.

Hydraulink Blackwater was named best new network partner at the awards night in Melbourne recently.

“Winning this award is great recognition of the hard work my team has put in to serve vital industries like mining, infrastructure and heavy haulage operations that value uptime and service,” Hydraulink Blackwater owner Lucas Kelly said.

“We try to be as flexible as possible, and come out promptly when our customers need us. They value our knowledge, attention to detail, and efficient service.”

BHP has strengthened its partnership with global technology company ABB through the signing of a multi-year global framework agreement.

ABB is a leader in industrial automation, electrification and digitalisation, and delivers technologies and equipment for BHP’s global operations including various packages across its Australian assets.

‘This new agreement will enable further opportunities for BHP and ABB to collaborate in support of project delivery, operations and maintenance, as well as progressing operational decarbonisation efforts across BHP’s global operations,’ BHP said.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings has finalised its acquisition of additional equity in the PNG LNG Project from Santos.

“Under our agreement with Santos we made a part payment of $US352 million earlier this year, with the balance to be paid by December 2024, and we have just completed this share acquisition, well before the end of the year,” KPHL managing director Wapu Sonk said.

KPHL’s shareholding in the PNG LNG Project has now increased to 19.2 per cent, including the 4.27 per cent Kroton Equity Option shareholding, held for beneficiaries which are impacted provincial governments and landowner groups.

Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have formalised their shared commitment to reducing emissions from heavy industry with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

LETA said the MOU signalled the organisations’ intent to cooperate in the development and deployment of post combustion capture (PCC) technology.

PCC technology reduces emissions from heavy industry by capturing CO₂ at the emissions source and preventing them from entering the atmosphere.