MINING CORPORATIONS – AUSTRALIA

Two of world’s biggest mining companies join forces to make unprecedented change in steel production: We must find better ways

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Original article by Jeremiah Budin
The Cool Down – Page: Online : 16-Apr-24

Iron ore rivals BHP and Rio Tinto are collaborating on the development of an electric smelting furnace in Australia. They contend that the technology could reduce the carbon dioxide pollution intensity of steel-making by 80 per cent compared with standard blast furnaces. Steel is one of the world’s most widely-used construction materials, but current production methods generate massive amounts of greenhouse gases. The International Energy Agency has warned that the steel industry is currently not on track to meet the net-zero emissions target of 2050.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY

Brokers go all in on Rio, tipping 20pc share price jump

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Original article by Alex Gluyas
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 9-Apr-24

The consensus of analysts is that Rio Tio’s shares will significantly outperform those of rival BHP over the next year. Rio Tinto’s stock is tipped to gain 20 per cent, compared with expectations of a six per cent rise in BHP’s share price. Analysts cite factors such as Rio Tinto’s rising copper production via the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia, as well as its large aluminium business. Meanwhile, BHP is facing a massive lawsuit over the collapse of a tailings dam in Brazil.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP

Rio Tinto takes over uranium mine clean-up amid spiralling costs

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Original article by Nick Toscano
The Age – Page: Online : 4-Apr-24

Energy Resources of Australia had initially estimated that rehabilitation work at its defunct Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory would cost $500m and be completed by 2026. ERA subsequently advised in September 2023 that cleaning up the site will cost at least $2.2bn and is unlikely to be finished before 2028. Rio Tinto has announced that it has reached agreement with ERA to take over management of the rehabilitation program; the mining giant has an 86.3 per cent stake in ERA.

CORPORATES
ENERGY RESOURCES OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED – ASX ERA, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO

Big mining dividends to drop on price slump

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Original article by Alex Gluyas
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 4-Apr-24

The 2023-24 interim dividends of iron ore majors Rio Tinto, BHP and Fortescue exceeded expectations. However, the price of the steel input has shed more than 20 per cent so far in 2024, and Morgan Stanley has warned that payouts from the big miners are likely to fall. The firm notes that BHP’s dividend payout is most at risk, citing factors such as the resources group’s debt position and the potential costs arising from legal action over the Samarco dam disaster in Brazil. Morgan Stanley says Rio Tinto is its top pick in the iron ore sector, while it has an ‘equal weight’ rating on BHP and an ‘underweight’ rating on Fortescue.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, FORTESCUE LIMITED – ASX FMG, MORGAN STANLEY AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Whitehaven wraps up BHP mines deal

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Original article by Glen Norris
The Australian – Page: 16 : 3-Apr-24

Whitehaven Coal MD Paul Flynn says the company is committed to Australia’s coal sector "for the long haul", following the completion of its deal to acquire two coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. Whitehaven announced the $6.4bn deal to buy the Blackwater and Daunia coking mines in October, and Flynn says 95 per cent of their employees have agreed to stay on under the mines’ new ownership. Whitehaven has also advised that global steelmakers have expressed strong interest in the proposed sale of a 20 per cent stake in the Blackwater mine.

CORPORATES
WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED – ASX WHC

Mine prospecting booms as explorers look past China dip

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Original article by Elouise Fowler
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 27-Mar-24

Data from advisory firm BDO Australias shows that resources companies in the pre-revenue stage spent a total of $1.01bn on exploration in the December quarter. This was the highest level of exploration expenditure in the final three months of a calendar year in the last decade. Meanwhile, exploration companies raised a total of $2.68bn from investors during the quarter, which is 32 per cent higher than the previous three months.

CORPORATES
BDO AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Rio bows to pressure on green steel spending

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Original article by Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 16 : 20-Mar-24

Iron ore accounted for nearly 70 per cent of Rio Tinto’s total scope 3 emissions of 578 million tonnes in 2023. The resources group has advised that it will provide increased disclosure of its expenditure on initiatives aimed at reducing scope 3 emissions, including ‘green’ steel projects. Rio Tinto has been under growing pressure from groups such as Fidelity International and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors to improve its disclosures. Daniela Jaramillo from Fidelity says this has been a priority in talks with Rio in recent years.

CORPORATES
RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SUPERANNUATION INVESTORS INCORPORATED

BHP braces for iron ore challengers

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Original article by Matt Bell
The Australian – Page: 13 & 18 : 19-Mar-24

Iron ore futures briefly fell below $US100 per tonne in Singapore trading on Monday; Macquarie Equities in turn downgraded BHP’s shares from ‘outperform’ to ‘neutral’, in response to the uncertain outlook for iron ore in the medium-term. Meanwhile, BHP has used a shareholders’ briefing to warn that the iron ore market will become more competitive by the end of this decade, with production from mines in Africa set to boost global supply. However, CFO Vandita Pant said that BHP will have a competitive edge, given that it is the lowest-cost producer of iron ore. Meanwhile, CEO Mike Henry said a decision on the future of the Nickel West business is likely to be made shortly.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP, MACQUARIE EQUITIES LIMITED

Cyclone Megan wreaks havoc on South32 manganese port

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Original article by Tom Richardson, Brad Thompson
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 7 : 19-Mar-24

Diversified miner South32 has declined to comment on the damage to export infrastructure associated with its Groote Eylandt manganese mine in the Northern Territory. A bulk carrier struck a loading wharf during strong winds that emanated from Cyclone Megan, causing damage to both the wharf and the vessel. Sources have questioned whether the Groote Eylandt port will become operational again, citing factors such as the cost of repairs and the mine’s remaining life is limited. It is the world’s biggest source of manganese, although South32 has previously indicated that the mine could be exhausted by the end of this decade.

CORPORATES
SOUTH32 LIMITED – ASX S32

Lake Resources cutting jobs as lithium stabilises

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Original article by Matt Bell
The Australian – Page: 16 : 5-Mar-24

Australian-listed Lake Resources has advised that it is seeking a partner for its Kachi lithium project in Argentina, which will continue to be the company’s priority. CEO David Dickson says Lake Resources will seek expressions of interest from prospective partners, with a view to making a final investment decision on Kachi in 2025. Dickson has also indicated that Lake Resources will review its non-core assets and lithium tenements, while it will retrench about 50 per cent of its global workforce; the job cuts will be focused on non-core operational and administrative roles.

CORPORATES
LAKE RESOURCES NL – ASX LKE