Iron ore

Pilbara boomChina’s iron ore imports up on strong demand

China’s iron ore imports rose 2.8 per cent for the first two months of 2021 from a year earlier, with demand for the steelmaking ingredient supported by a firm consumption outlook.

Super cycleBenefits and dangers to WA from new commodity bull run

Opinion is divided on whether the State is better placed to handle another long run of bumper commodity prices.

Sean Smith

‘Deep regret’Rio chairman falls on sword after Juukan tragedy

In this morning’s bombshell announcement, Simon Thompson said he was ultimately accountable for the failings that led to the blasting of the ancient site in the Pilbara.

Daniel Newell

Social licenceBig miners to adopt new ESG reporting standard

The Minerals Council is rolling out a new system to ensure its mining company members meet rising community expectations with their environmental, social and governance obligations.

Stuart McKinnon

ATO stoushRio to dispute surprise $400m tax bill

The mining giant will contest a $406.5m amended taxation assessment from 2015 relating to a loan it took out to fund intragroup dividends.

Stuart McKinnon

Drilling downExploration surge supports super cycle theory

ABS data shows exploration expenditure rose for four consecutive quarters last year.

Stuart McKinnon

Juukan lessons‘Crash-through mentality’: Fortescue put on notice

Not a single stone should be out of place at Aboriginal heritage sites in the aftermath of Juukan Gorge. Yet in the space of a week, the Pilbara has been rocked by not one but two separate incidents.

Danielle Le Messurier

Iron resolveMacarthur’s magnetite dream slowly taking shape

SPINIFEX: The Brisbane-based company finally seems to be making genuine progress with its Lake Giles magnetite project in the Yilgarn region north-west of Kalgoorlie.

Stuart McKinnon

Rights erodedDodson pleads for Pilbara mining royal commission

WA Labor Senator Patrick Dodson says an inquiry is needed to prevent further destruction of Indigenous heritage sites in the resources-rich region.

Sarah Ison

New peakBHP shares pop new record

The miner and its Pilbara iron ore rivals are riding an unexpectedly strong price rally that has fattened profits and dividends.

Sean Smith

Heritage bungleFortescue embroiled in Aboriginal heritage controversy

The Andrew Forrest-controlled company is the latest Pilbara iron ore miner to become involved in a controversy over an Aboriginal heritage site in the Pilbara.

Stuart McKinnon

Investigation startsBHP to probe rockfall at Aboriginal heritage site

The company told the Banjima people of a rockfall at the site in January, but it is not yet known if mining activity is to blame for the disturbance.

Stuart McKinnon

Revenue slipsNew tax rules top up Macmahon’s first-half profit

Boss Michael Finnegan is upbeat on the contractor’s future, noting a robust outlook for the resources sector driven by high commodity prices and supportive capital markets.

Stuart McKinnon

Skills shortageMonadelphous worried about skills on the rebound

The engineering contractor has joined other WA companies warning about shortages as the economic recovery out of COVID-19 heats up.

Sean Smith

Pay dayRio Tinto’s Juukan Gorge bosses exit with $33m-plus

Annual report reveals big exit payouts for Rio bosses forced out by investor backlash over blasting of ancient Pilbara sites.

Sean Smith

More directRio introduces new greener freight route to Pilbara

The mining giant says a new freight shipping service between Singapore and Dampier will cut carbon emissions and offer cheaper, quicker delivery costs for local businesses.

Stuart McKinnon

Project rethinkIron Bridge throws up new challenge for Fortescue

The Andrew Forrest-controlled iron ore miner is eyeing scope changes for its magnetite project in the Pilbara after identifying a $US400m blowout.

Stuart McKinnon

No alternativeGaines shines light on Lilleyman’s shock FMG exit

Elizabeth Gaines said the COO took his leadership accountability “very seriously” and had made an “incredibly difficult” decision to resign.

Stuart McKinnon

Show him the money!Twiggy’s 1.6 billion reasons to smile at FMG result

Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest will receive the biggest dividend cheque of his life next month as surging iron ore prices drove a stellar profit result for Fortescue Metals Group in the first half.

Stuart McKinnon

Project woesFMG reveals scale of Iron Bridge cost, schedule blowout

Fortescue has lifted the lid on the cost and schedule blowout at its magnetite project south of Port Hedland, clouding an otherwise stellar first-half result that will deliver a bumper dividend.

Stuart McKinnon

Big returnRio splashes dividend cash, pledges to regain trust

The mining giant has joined rival BHP in showering its shareholders with a bumper dividend which has been underpinned by its sprawling Pilbara iron ore operations.

Stuart McKinnon

Another goneProject cost blowout claims top exec at Twiggy’s FMG

Top Fortescue executive Greg Lilleyman has been caught up in the fallout from a massive cost blowout at Iron Bridge, with CEO Elizabeth Gaines saying the company had “lost focus”.

Stuart McKinnon

Dividend doublesPilbara pumps up BHP’s record payout

The Big Australian has surprised investors with a record interim dividend after booking a 16 per cent surge in underlying first-half profit of $US6.04 billion.

Stuart McKinnon

Auto expansionWATCH: FMG rolls out driverless utes at Christmas Creek

The Pilbara iron ore miner has retrofitted four Ford Rangers with autonomous technology to improve the safety and productivity of its mobile maintenance crew.

Stuart McKinnon