Metals X Limited recommenced underground drilling in November 2016 shortly after taking control of the Nifty Copper Operation. To date, approximately 20,000 metres of diamond drilling outside of the mining area has been completed with the objective of extending the Ore Reserve up plunge, down-plunge and within the limbs of the folded carbonate units within the Nifty syncline.

According to a job vacancy report by Engineers Australia, demand for mining engineers has almost doubled in Western Australia over the last year.
Industry leaders say the turnaround signals growth in mining activity, as small and medium-sized companies move towards production, particulary in the gold industry.
Our clients are saying it is getting harder to find the right candidates for their vacancies.

Doray Minerals Limited announced today initial results from its ongoing Resource infill and extension programme at the Deflector Gold Copper Operation. This drilling is part of Doray’s aggressive strategy of upgrading the Inferred sections of the Mineral Resource to Indicated category, and extending it at depth, which will allow additional Ore Reserves and mine life to be delineated at Deflector. Drilling has primarily focussed on the extremities of Mineral Resources on the main Western and Central Lodes, with additional intersections of the Contact Lodes.

Australian lithium developer Pilbara Minerals Limited advised today that it has received its environmental approval for its 100%-owned Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum Project in Western Australia, marking the last of the major approval milestones for the project and clearing the way for construction to proceed.
The approval of the Company’s Mining Proposal by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (“DMP”), in combination with previously approved Native Vegetation Clearing Permit and Project Management Plan, authorises Pilbara to commence major site works.

Mount Gibson Iron Limited (Mount Gibson) was pleased to announce Board approval to redevelop and restart production from the high grade Main Pit iron ore deposit at its Koolan Island mine in Western Australia, after a feasibility study confirmed compelling economics for the Project.

Today Yancoal Australia Ltd (“Yancoal”) anounced they have received confirmation from the Foreign Investment Review Board (“FIRB”) that the Commonwealth has no objection to Yancoal acquiring 100 percent of Coal & Allied Industries Limited (“Coal & Allied”) (“Transaction”), which owns an interest in the Hunter Valley Operations (“HVO”) mine and the Mount Thorley Warkworth (“MTW”) mines (together with associated assets), subject to compliance with existing governance conditions, which already apply to Yancoal’s current assets and standard tax conditions now applied to all FIRB approva

The acquisition of Cosmos from Glencore in 2015 is now paying dividends for Western Areas. Western Areas announced the results from the Cosmos Odysseus Pre‐feasibility Study, which demonstrates commercial viability of the Odysseus Project and the potential re‐start of nickel mining operations at Cosmos. With the successful completion of the PFS, the Western Areas Board has approved the Project to progress to the Definitive Feasibility Study stage.

What is happening to the iron ore price?
Fundamentals suggest, US$90 a tonne is a really good number and the iron ore producers have all suggested the $90 will not be supported for too long.
Supply continues to increase, particularly from Brazil and low cost sources and combined with higher production, and higher stocks at the ports, fundamentals all point down.
On the other hand, China's demand for higher grade iron ore continues to support these "high" prices.

Western Areas Ltd, was pleased to announce yesterday that the Company has intersected a new massive sulphide zone, including two super high grade results, immediately below the Odysseus North orebody at the Cosmos Nickel Complex (Cosmos).
The new intersections are 160m south of a high grade Inferred Mineral Resource of 0.05Mt @ 11.6% which forms part of the Odysseus North orebody. These intersections, when combined with results from geophysical surveys, represent a potentially significant extension to the high grade Resources at the broader Odysseus Project.

Mount Gibson Iron Limited (Mount Gibson) advised today that it has commenced development of its Iron Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Mid-West region following receipt of final statutory approvals.
Iron Hill is located 3km south of the Company’s recently depleted Extension Hill open pit and this close proximity enables the utilisation of Extension Hill’s substantial existing workshops, processing facilities, camp and transport infrastructure, as well as the Extension Hill workforce comprising approximately 160 employees and contractors.