Lynas Rare Earths has extended its supply and funding agreement with Japan Australia Rare Earths (JARE) to 2038, locking in long-term offtake for Japanese customers and continued support for its Mt Weld mine and downstream processing assets. The deal secures financing flexibility through JARE’s existing loan facilities while underpinning feedstock for Lynas’ cracking and leaching plants in Kalgoorlie and Kuantan. For rare earths project developers, the move signals sustained Japanese backing for non-Chinese NdPr and heavy rare earth supply chains.

Thiess executive general manager Rae O’Brien has been named Exceptional Woman of 2026 at the Queensland Resources Council and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland awards, recognising her leadership across large open-cut coal and metals operations. O’Brien has overseen multi-year productivity and safety programmes at Thiess, including deployment of autonomous haulage fleets and advanced fleet-optimisation analytics on east coast sites. Her recognition signals continued industry emphasis on senior female leadership in mine planning, contractor management and technology-enabled production improvement across Queensland’s major resource projects.

ESS Engineering is rolling out practical conveyor control strategies to cut fugitive material loss and unplanned downtime on high‑throughput belt systems. The company is focusing on correctly sized and positioned primary and secondary belt cleaners, skirting and sealing systems, and improved transfer‑chute design to reduce carryback, spillage and dust at loading and discharge points. For mine operators, the approach targets lower maintenance at height, reduced clean‑up around conveyor structures, and more stable belt tracking and idler life.