Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority has recommended environmental approval for Covalent Lithium’s expansion of the Earl Grey lithium project at Mt Holland, a key hard‑rock operation feeding the Kwinana lithium hydroxide refinery. The proposal covers increased open‑pit mining and associated waste rock and tailings storage, with conditions likely to focus on groundwater drawdown, waste landforms and biodiversity impacts in the northern Yilgarn. For geotechnical and environmental teams, the decision signals tighter scrutiny of pit dewatering regimes, TSF design and long‑term rehabilitation performance.

Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation will start construction of the Jinbi solar project in Western Australia after securing a power purchase agreement with Rio Tinto to supply renewable electricity to its Pilbara iron ore operations. The Indigenous-led project will feed solar power into Rio’s existing network that supports mines, rail and port assets, reducing reliance on gas-fired generation and cutting Scope 2 emissions. For mine planners and asset managers, the deal signals further integration of large-scale renewables into remote, islanded mining grids in the Pilbara.

Iron ore generated $122 billion in sales from near‑record output of 864 million tonnes in Western Australia, confirming it as the state’s dominant commodity despite growth in lithium, nickel and rare earths. Pilbara operations such as Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue’s large‑scale open pits and rail‑to‑port chains continue to anchor investment in heavy‑haul rail, deep‑water export berths and large‑capacity crushing and screening plants. For contractors and consultants, iron ore remains the primary driver of bulk earthworks, pit slope design, haul road construction and port materials‑handling projects across the region.