Here is a brief summary of some of the most influential resource sector news items of the week.
Through this period, the Ontario government supported the marathon copper palladium project, and Rio Tinto (ASX: Rio, NYSE: Rio, LSE: Rio) opened a US$2 billion iron ore mine. Elsewhere, Indonesia has stopped nickel mining in protected areas, and Chile has debuted solar-powered models to reduce the use of water-powered energy in mining.
Marathon Project Gets Shovel-enabled Nods from Ontario
Ontario has designated the Generation Mining (TSX: GENM, OTCQB: GENMF) marathon project. Shovel-enabled strategic mineral projectsurges the federal government to invest in its development.
The project, located in northwest Ontario, is fully authorized for construction and is expected to produce large quantities of copper, palladium, platinum, gold and silver during the expected 13 years of mining life.
The announcement comes after the release of an open letter to Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The Ontario priority projects have been identified and declared by provincial ministers Stephen Lexe, Mike Harris, Greg Rickford and associate ministers Kevin Holland and Sam Austehoff.
“Based on investment in the Ring of Fire and Critical Mineral Supply Chain, we urge the federal government to invest in shovel-enabled strategic mineral projects that are essential to building a safe domestic supply chain, including the Generation Mining marathon project,” reads a letter on Thursday (June 5).
The Ontario government is facing an increase in rebound by unlocking our economic laws and protecting Ontario, the recent passing of Bill 5. Allows state authorities to bypass certain state and city laws for projects deemed economically important, with the aim of promoting development, such as mining operations.
However, Indigenous leaders and environmental groups have criticised the bill, claiming it undermines treaty rights and environmental protection.
Rio Tinto and Bauu open a US$2 billion iron ore mine
There are Rio Tinto and China Bouze Steel Group A western iron ore mine has been established. The Pilbara region of Western Australia marks important milestones in both resource development and indigenous collaboration.
The US$2 billion joint venture, owned by Rio Tinto, 54% and 46% by Baowu, is projected to produce up to 25 million tonnes of iron ore per year and maintain Paraburdoo Mining Hub for about 20 years.
Western Range is the first Rio Tinto project to implement a Social, Culture and Heritage Management Plan (SCHMP) co-designed with the traditional owners of Yinhawangka.
Founded in 2022, SCHMP aims to protect the region’s important cultural and heritage values.
Robyn Hayden, board chair of Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “The opening of the Western Range mine represents a change in how our heritage is perceived and respected,” she was quoted as saying in a press release on Friday (June 6th) in Rio Tinto.
Along the opening of the western range, Rio Tinto The development was announced Under another mine plan, it is moving forward at Mongolia’s Oyutlgoi copper mine.
The ramp-up is on track and is expected to output from Panel 0 and Panel 2 in 2025 and 2026, but the company has temporarily suspended development of the joint venture area of Antrée Resources (TSX:ETG, OTCQB:ERLFF).
The suspension will remain in place until the Mongolian government completes the required license transfer. Instead, Rio Tinto is accelerating work at Panel 2 South outside the Entree Joint Venture Zone. Copper guidance for 2025 has not been changed from 780,000 to 850,000 metric tons.
Indonesia reviews nickel mining at biodiversity hotspots
The Indonesian government has begun reviewing nickel mining activities in the Raja Amput Archipelago, a region famous for its rich biodiversity and often referred to as the “last paradise”.
The decision follows the public protest of the video and the release of Greenpeace Indonesia’s video, highlighting the environmental degradation caused by nickel mining operations on the islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran.
Greenpeace analysis It shows that over 500 hectares of forests and native vegetation are cleared for nickel mining in these regions, leading to soil runoff and sedimentation that threaten coral reefs and marine ecosystems. These islands are classified as small islands under Indonesian law and prohibit mining activities in such areas.
Indonesia’s Environment Minister Hanif Faithol Nurofik has announced plans Visit affected areas He then said that after conducting thorough research, the government will take legal action against the mining companies operating there.
The Ministry of Energy Interrupted operations In the operation of Gag Nikel’s Raja Ampat, inspections are waiting.
This country is the world’s leading producer of nickel, outputting 2.2 million tons in 2024. Indonesia’s nickel sector experienced major changes in 2025, with the government reducing its mining quota in response to prices falling and response. I pledge to implement it stricter ESG standards across the resource industry.
Nickel prices have been turbulent this year, opening for a 12-month period at USD 15,010 per metric tonne, rising to an annual high of USD 16,440 in mid-March. Supply saturation weighed in the market until April, sinking to a yearly low of USD 13,805. Prices are rebounding, sitting at the level of 15,285 USD.
Chile launches models to reduce energy footprint for seawater use in mining
According to Recently published researchChilean researchers at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Concepcion University, have developed a real-time energy management model that optimizes power usage at large water pumping stations using predictive economic management.
The model was tested in a system that supplies reverse osmosis plants in northern Chile, and integrated solar energy and battery storage to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The site has seven 1,343 kilowatt pumps that transport 120 kilometres uphill at an altitude gain of 1,000 meters. The simulation compares traditional operations with hybrid setups using solar and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) megapack batteries, demonstrating the potential for more sustainable and cost-effective water transport.
“This study was motivated by a sustained increase in power consumption associated with seawater pumps for mineral concentration processes, increasingly common practices in water shortage areas,” said Daniel Sbarbaro, a researcher at Serc Chile and author of the paper.
This development is important for lithium miners in the Atacama Desert, Chile, where freshwater resources are scarce and mining is increasingly dependent on them for seawater desalination.
Don’t forget to follow us @inn_resource For real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, do not hold direct investment rights to the companies mentioned in this article.
From the article on the site
Related articles on the web
