ABx Group has progressed its hydrogen fluoride (HF) pilot plant at Bell Bay, Tasmania, positioning the facility near deep-water export infrastructure at Bell Bay port and the state’s existing hydro-powered industrial precinct. The project targets HF production from locally sourced feedstock rather than imported acids, aiming to supply high-purity HF for rare earths separation and advanced materials. For process engineers and metallurgists, the move signals potential domestic HF availability for leach circuits and fluorine-based reagents, reducing supply-chain risk for Australian critical minerals projects.

Minerals 260 is reporting further high-grade intercepts from reverse circulation and diamond drilling at its Bullabulling gold project in Western Australia, expanding mineralisation along strike and at depth near historic open pits. Recent holes have returned multiple metre-scale intervals of strong gold grades (g/t-level assays) within altered mafic and sedimentary units, confirming continuity of shear-hosted lodes beneath and between existing pit shells. The results support potential for resource growth around established infrastructure on the Kalgoorlie–Coolgardie corridor, with follow-up step-out drilling and updated modelling now in focus.

Sandvik has secured five orders from Byrnecut, the world’s largest underground mining contractor, to deploy its AutoMine automation system across multiple underground operations. The contracts cover AutoMine for both loading and hauling fleets and development drills, integrating with Sandvik’s existing underground loaders and trucks to enable tele-remote and autonomous operation from surface control rooms. For geotechnical and operations teams, the move signals further separation of personnel from high-risk headings and tighter control of ground exposure times around drawpoints and development faces.