This week witnessed the temporary shutdown of Wyloo's Cassini, Long, and Durkin nickel mines, along with BHP pausing a segment of its Kambalda processing operations, responding to recent nickel price declines in Australia.

The nickel market downturn has impacted various nickel miners in Australia, including Chalice Mining, First Quantum Minerals, IGO, and Panoramic Resources. This situation raises the crucial question: What is the optimal path forward for Australian nickel?

Lynas Rare Earths characterized the fourth quarter of 2023 as a period marked by significant progress in various facets of the business.

The construction of the rare earths processing facility in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, saw substantial completion during the quarter, accompanied by the comprehensive commissioning of the entire plant.

After finalizing kiln heating and other commissioning activities, the initial batch of material from Mount Weld was introduced into the Kalgoorlie facility in December 2023.

Pantoro is set to initiate underground mining at the Scotia open pit within the Norseman gold project ahead of the originally projected schedule. This decision stems from a comprehensive review of Scotia, revealing "significant improvements" in the project's gold production and cost profile.

As a result of the review, Norseman's all-in sustaining costs (AISC) are anticipated to be less than $1850 per gold ounce (oz) in the 2024–25 and 2025–26 financial years, with Scotia underground AISC estimated to be below $1700/oz.

During the December 2023 quarter, Pantoro achieved a gold production of 18,185 ounces, of which 18,074 ounces were sold at an average gold price of $3054.

Notably, December witnessed a production surge of 6113 ounces compared to November. Overall, Pantoro's gold production for the December quarter soared by 275%, marking significant growth since the first quarter of 2023.

Panoramic Resources and its subsidiaries, PAN Transport and Savannah Nickel Mines, have voluntarily entered administration.

On December 14, Panoramic directors made the decision to appoint administrators due to a decline in nickel prices. This move follows a strategic review of the Savannah project in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, initiated on November 16.

Mining company First Quantum has formalized a memorandum of understanding with Australian junior firm Raiden Resources for the Mt Sholl nickel/copper/platinum group elements (PGE) project in Western Australia.

Raiden's Managing Director, Dusko Ljubojevic, highlighted Mt Sholl as the largest and currently the only open-pittable nickel/copper/PGE sulphide resource in the district. He expressed optimism about the project's potential to unlock a district-scale opportunity for development.

Global Lithium Resources has successfully concluded its 2023 drilling campaign at the wholly owned Manna lithium project in Western Australia.

Lynas Rare Earths has officially commenced the initial feed of Mount Weld material at its Kalgoorlie processing facility in Western Australia. This significant achievement comes after successfully concluding kiln heating and other essential activities, signaling the transition from the commissioning phase to the facility's first production phase and subsequent ramp-up.

The approval for Stage 3 of the conservation management plan and exploration drilling program has been granted by the Western Australian Government for Chalice Mining's Julimar exploration project.

Liontown Resources has finalized an agreement with the Mid West Ports Authority (MWPA) in Western Australia to facilitate the export of lithium from Kathleen Valley. The services and access agreement, spanning an initial 10 years, will enable the export of lithium spodumene concentrate from the Port of Geraldton to global Tier-1 offtake partners, including LG Energy Solution, Tesla, and Ford Motor Company.