Greatland Resources (ASX:GGP) secured both state and federal government environmental permits for its Havieron project in Western Australia, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.
The approvals allow the company to advance toward a final investment decision in the June quarter, the filing said.
Viridis Mining and Minerals (ASX:VMM) manufactured the first batch of high-grade mixed rare earth carbonate at its demonstration plant in Poços de Caldas, Brazil, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.The plant is currently processing ionic clay feed sourced from the Colossus Project Northern Concessions, with the ore feed expected to support the proposed mine plan's early years.As the demonstration plant is now operational, Viridis plans to advance key initiatives, including producing mixed rare earth carbonate samples "for potential offtake partners currently in advanced discussions," the company said."Very few Western rare earth companies possess the in-house capability to continuously process ionic clay material at scale, into a saleable [mixed rare earth carbonate] product," said Viridis Managing Director Rafael Moreno.
New Zealand's Electricity Authority on Tuesday imposed non-discrimination obligations on the country's four largest energy companies in a bid to level the playing field for hedging contracts in the electricity sector.Under the new rules, which are effective from July 1, Contact Energy (NZE:CEN, ASX:CEN), Genesis Energy (NZE:GNE, ASX:GNE), Mercury (NZE:MCY, ASX:MCY), and Meridian Energy (NZE:MEL, ASX:MEZ) will be required to provide risk management contracts to all buyers on an even-handed basis. This will prevent the companies from favoring their own retail divisions on price or non-price terms.The four power generation-retailer, or gentailer, firms will need to furnish compliance plans to the Authority each year, and also submit six-monthly assessments justifying their retail price offers relative to their expected cost of electricity supply.Electricity Authority Acting Chair Erik Westergaard said the new rules will boost competition, enhance transparency, and can be implemented quickly without a material cost increase for gentailers.Shares of all four companies rose less than 1% in recent Tuesday trade on the New Zealand bourse.
Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) and joint venture partner Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium approved a final investment decision to build a new flotation plant and develop underground mining at the Mt Marion lithium operation in Western Australia, with total capital investment estimated at AU$490 million, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.The project, funded across fiscal 2027 to fiscal 2028, includes AU$240 million for the flotation plant, AU$220 million for underground pre-production works, and AU$30 million for supporting infrastructure, with a payback period of under one year at current spodumene prices, per the filing.The expansion is anticipated to prolong the mine's operational life, improve recovery rates to nearly 70%, raise installed capacity to 600,000 tonnes per year SC6 equivalent from roughly 500,000 tonnes per year, and simplify output to a single SC5 product stream, the filing said.Underground development and construction of the flotation circuit are both scheduled to begin in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, with the flotation circuit expected to be commissioned in the second half of fiscal 2028, the filing added.