What September told us about mining’s direction Three mining events in Perth in September revealed industry conversations around supply capacity, investment priorities and funding models in the resources sector. Delonix Solutions was right in the centre of it all.
At the Critical Minerals Conference, one of the big questions was how fast supply chains can adapt. The Metals Company chief executive Gerard Barron presented pilot-plant mining of polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean, up to 4km deep, containing nickel, copper and manganese. He said demand for battery metals is rising quickly but processing capacity, ESG compliance and permit timelines remain significant challenges.
Africa Down Under focused on investment conditions in Africa’s mining sector. Egyptian-born Federal Small Business, International Development and Multiculture Affairs Minister Dr Anne Aly told delegates the continent holds one third of the world’s critical minerals, including almost 90% of identified chromium and platinum deposits and 40% of in-ground gold reserves.
Speakers said energy, infrastructure, workforce skills and governance must develop at the same pace as resource projects to achieve long-term growth.
The WA Mining Club’s Miners Mingle session examined funding. Panellists Simon Lill, Kassia Kazmer and Nick McDonough said rising costs, ESG requirements and investor expectations are influencing how projects attract capital from exploration through to production.
These events highlight the need for capital, infrastructure and delivery capacity to align with growth ambitions.
Project spotlight: Robex Gold Kiniero, Guinea First gold from the 5mtpa Robex Gold Kiniero project in Guinea is expected in late 2025, with construction progressing towards key commissioning milestones. Delonix Solutions was engaged by Robex in late 2024 to deliver the concrete, structural, mechanical and piping engineering the power station at the gold mine, with power required for process plant commissioning by October 2025.
Project manager Craig McDonnell says Delonix Solutions values its relationship with Robex and the opportunity to deliver on such a significant development. “Robex set clear objectives, made fast decisions and trusted us to deliver the scope on time,” he said. “That trust and collaboration have been there since day one.”A major achievement Craig highlighted was the design of the high-temperature exhaust system to provide heavy-lift crane access during a compressed construction schedule. The system successfully balanced the thermal expansion, exhaust pressure drop, and equipment loads.
“Seeing that part of the project move from engineering to construction was a real highlight for the team,” Craig said. He also said Delonix Solutions values technically challenging projects that demand practical, high-performing solutions.
Delonix Solutions will continue supporting Robex through commissioning as the project advances towards first gold production later this year.New Perth home, same commitments: Delonix Solutions is #GoingFurther Delonix Solutions has moved into new premises on Murray Street in the heart of Perth’s CBD. The new location provides more space for collaboration, client meetings and project workshops while keeping the team close to many of Western Australia’s mining and engineering hubs.
The move reflects the company’s growth across Australia, Africa and beyond, with increasing demand for engineering and project delivery services. This new office will support Delonix Solutions’ ability to deliver technically complex projects while strengthening client relationships and industry connections.
We will soon welcome clients and partners to our new space!Mining technology for remote operations: RealClouds Global™ by Delonix Solutions Mining projects run on accurate site data, yet too often it is locked in drawings, scattered across teams or days out-of-date. Delonix Solutions’ RealClouds Global™ solves this by turning 3D scan data into a secure, accessible digital twin of the entire site, anytime and anywhere.
Built on Leica TruView technology, the platform allows engineers, project managers and maintenance teams to view, measure and plan site activities remotely. This minimises site visits, improves safety and keeps projects moving on schedule. For remote operations, it means faster decisions, fewer surprises and better collaboration across locations.
RealClouds Global™ by Delonix Solutions is designed for mining and industrial projects where speed, accuracy and collaboration are essential. By providing a single, reliable source of information accessible from any location, it helps operators cut costs, reduce risks and make faster decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
September: gold shines as deals and disruptions reshape the sector
Gold prices hit new highs in September as miners faced a month of big shifts. Gold Fields $3.7b takeover of Gold Road Resources closed with shares finishing at $3.48 as the scheme took effect while Anglo American and Teck Resources locked in an $80b copper merger, the biggest since Glencore and Xstrata in 2013.
Leadership moves dominated with Newmont appointing Natascha Viljoen as its first female CEO in 104 years after Tom Palmer, Barrick confirming Mark Bristow’s exit and new Rio Tinto boss Simon Trott cutting executive roles as the company staged its final Argyle pink diamonds tender.
Jobs stayed in the spotlight after MinRes truck rollovers on the Onslow Iron haul road, Queensland coal royalty fallout and Western Australia (WA) closures with Alcoa shutting its Kwinana refinery and Iluka Resources mothballing its Cataby operation. BHP agreed to pay $110m to settle the Samarco tailings dam class action.
Fenix Resources struck a $60m deal for Weld Range, Northern Minerals mapped a $592m Browns Range plan and Liontown Resources secured a US supply deal with Tesla, as WA fast-tracked approvals and green steel pilots under sweeping reforms.
|
