Loop Hydrometallurgy has unveiled a new copper processing technology aimed at replacing parts of conventional smelting–refining flowsheets with a hydrometallurgical route, targeting lower-temperature leaching and electrowinning rather than high-energy flash smelting. The process is designed to treat complex copper concentrates and potentially higher-arsenic feeds that challenge traditional smelters, using closed-loop reagent recovery to cut reagent consumption and waste volumes. For mine operators and project designers, this signals growing scope to permit smaller-footprint plants and reconsider concentrate transport versus on-site refining economics.

ABx Group has secured roles in two Federal Government-backed research initiatives to advance rare earths extraction from its ionic adsorption clay deposits in northern Tasmania and bauxite-hosted resources in Queensland. The grants, awarded under national critical minerals and industry growth programmes, will fund testwork on low-acid leach processes, beneficiation flowsheets and pilot-scale recovery of magnet rare earths such as neodymium and praseodymium. Outcomes could materially affect project economics, tailings chemistry and permitting pathways for clay-hosted rare earths developments in Australia.

Nominations for the 2025 Women in Industry Awards are closing soon, with categories spanning mining, engineering, transport, manufacturing and resources, and open to roles from site-based operators to senior executives. The awards, run by Prime Creative Media and supported by Australian Mining, recognise technical innovation, safety leadership, operational excellence and mentoring, rather than purely corporate or HR achievements. Mining and civil leaders are being urged to nominate women leading projects such as mine expansion programmes, process-plant upgrades, automation deployments or geotechnical risk initiatives before the final deadline.