BHP Mitsubishi Alliance produced 25.9Mt of steelmaking coal across its Queensland mines in the nine months to March 31, a one per cent lift on the previous period.

BHP said strong operational performance at the open-cut operations was supported by the highest year-to-date stripping volumes in five years.

‘This was partially offset by lower yield driven by mine sequencing in response to significant wet weather (the highest rainfall recorded in 15 years), ongoing geotechnical challenges at Broadmeadow, and Saraji South being placed into care and maintenance,’ the company reported in its operational review.

A planned longwall move at Broadmeadow commenced in February and was completed in early April.

Production guidance for the BMA group of mines for FY26 remains unchanged at between 36 and 40Mt.

Queensland-based Graphene Manufacturing Group (TSX V: GMG) has announced that former Rio Tinto global head of technical development Stuart Watson has joined the company as chief production growth officer.

Mr Watson has more than 30 years of global leadership experience in metals and mining and oil and chemicals, including 20 years at Rio Tinto, across operations, sales and marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and technology development and innovation.

GMG is focused on delivering its Gen 2.0 Graphene Production Project by the end of June. This is expected to produce at least 10 tonnes per annum of graphene at its headquarters in Richlands. 

Once the Gen 2.0 project is commissioned and operating, the company plans to replicate it and establish other production plants around the world.

The stimulation program for Xstate Resources‘ Diona-1 well, to be conducted by Condor Energy, has commenced on the south-western flank of the Taroom Trough in Queensland’s Bowen-Surat Basin.

Meanwhile the company has raised $1,692,145 in a placement.

This is intended to fund any extended production tests and to connect the Diona-1 well to the existing pipeline infrastructure should the well be deemed commercially successful as well as ensurng the company is adequately funded should stimulation operations run over budget.

“We are very happy to welcome our new strategic investors who have a long and successful record in supporting juniors such as Xstate on their development path,” Xstate Resources (ASX: XST) managing director Andrew Bald said.

“If the flow rates are commercial, this placement will allow the company to fund the connection to the valve approximately 1km to the west of the well pad which will, in turn, generate near-term revenue for the company. The next month will be a very exciting time for us all.”

True North Copper (ASX: TNC) has kicked off its 2026 Mount Oxide exploration program in North-West Queensland, building on the Aquila discovery last year.

The program will start with an 11 line-kilometre induced polarisation (IP) survey targeting extensions to Aquila and regional prospects at Ivena, Rhea, Apolo and Acanthis, supporting phased systematic drilling follow-up.

“The Aquila discovery has demonstrated the scale and potential of the Mount Oxide system, confirming that our geophysics-led approach can deliver high-quality copper discoveries along the Dorman Fault and broader Mount Gordon corridor,” True North Copper managing director Andrew Mooney said.

“We are now applying this proven geophysics approach across multiple targets, with the aim of building a pipeline of repeatable discoveries and systematically growing the Mount Oxide resource base.

“With geophysics underway and drilling commencing shortly, we are well positioned to deliver a strong flow of exploration results as we advance Mt Oxide towards a significant standalone copper development opportunity.”