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.

Astral Resources has reported high-grade gold intersections from reverse circulation drilling at the Wattle Dam prospect within its Spargoville gold project in Western Australia, targeting extensions to the historically high-grade Wattle Dam underground mine. The programme is testing down-plunge and along-strike positions of the known lode system, using closely spaced RC holes to refine the geometry of the mineralised shoot and assess potential for resource growth near existing underground development. Results will guide follow-up diamond drilling, pit design options and geotechnical assessment of remnant and new stoping blocks.

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.