Rebecca Tomkinson

Focused and intensive progress towards providing a secure antimony source to the world.

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Woke up with a question in my head (as I do most days!) ... and went looking for the answer ... The all inclusive cost of exploration ... and how different is the cost of drilling new vs known deposits? ... well, in Australia, the cost of exploration per meter drilled has doubled over the last five years (CPI indexed to 2023). Next question: - Has our discovery rate doubled in that time? Corollary Question 1: - What has caused this increase in costs? technology? people? permitting? Corollary Question 2: - Has technology over last 5 to 7 years improved discovery rates? (... the problem with answering questions ... there are always more questions buried beneath!)

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Several of Anglo American Plc’s biggest shareholders say they support the company’s efforts to persuade BHP Group to change the structure of its takeover proposal or compensate for the risks it presents, before accepting any offer. BHP has one week to convince its target of the value of its $49 billion acquisition plan, after Anglo announced on Wednesday it had rebuffed a third bid and agreed to extend a regulatory deadline. With the clock reset, discussions will center around BHP’s insistence that Anglo spin off majority stakes in South African platinum and iron ore units before the takeover can proceed. The two sides are now closer to each other in their views on a valuation for a deal, Bloomberg reported late Wednesday. However, Anglo continues to dismiss the structure as too complicated – laden with risks and costs to be borne by its own investors, who will receive the offloaded shares in the subsidiaries under BHP’s plan. That was a view echoed by several major investors in private conversations since the latest announcements. Five top-20 Anglo shareholders said they were open to the prospect of a deal, while four of those agreed with Anglo’s approach to press BHP for changes to resolve uncertainty created by the proposed multi-phase approach. William Clowes #mining #mna #angloamerican #bhp https://lnkd.in/eNuYDrKh

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A few weeks ago, Professor Rod Sims AO and I spent a couple of hours going through the steel industry decarbonisation transition that is shifting global supply chains and creating demand for green iron as the new feed stock for green steel mills. Rod's keynote address at today's CEDA event centred on Australia's enormous emergent opportunity: to take full advantage of our renewable energy "comparative advantage" (we have it, others need it) by creating new export industries that EMBED that energy in products that other nations need to meet their climate commitments - starting with green iron. In this way, Australia can not only punch well above its weight in terms of emissions reductions, but also reap the massive economic rewards on offer - making Australia an "economic superpower". The Superpower Institute However ... there is no green iron industry without premium grade iron ore concentrates to feed it, such as those that will be produced by Magnetite Mines' massive Razorback Iron Ore Project in South Australia. Department for Energy and Mining, South Australia

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The importance of partnerships with Indigenous communities was the most significant theme in the 2-day Gippsland New Energy conference. Daniel Miller, CEO of GLaWAC, launched its “Pathways to Partnerships” https://lnkd.in/gkTZ6u5J He said: “What we’re interested in is a transition from exclusion to collaboration, a pathway that integrates our mob into project planning right from the start.” We heard from Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio about the significance of these partnerships to drive the energy transition. I totally agree. Next we need to see these partnerships translated to measurable outcomes for Indigenous communities and the project proponent. When we have measurable benefits from socio-economic and cultural heritage as well as environmental, project timelines and financial benefits we will be able to usher in a new era of real win-win-win solutions for Indigenous, government and the developer. We want to do trials for how these partnerships can deliver for the State and all its citizens, for the Indigenous community, the environment, energy transition and create new project business models. Open to all project ideas. Lily D’Ambrosio MP Daniel Miller Katherine Mullett Andrew Irvine Daniel Abbas Anna Quillinan Gavin Murray Ian Hamm MAICD FIPAA Rosemary Addis Matt Doran Cath Smith Tim Wilson Amanda Healy Kent Matla Sérgio Brodsky Rebecca Riggs Tira Foran STEPHEN DESPOSITO Dermot O'Gorman Bobbie Hart Naomi Anstess SIRGE Coalition Jack Buksh Tim Sonnreich Sara Williams Meg Lee Keith Rovers Vince De Santis Ann Sherry AO Danielle Wood Madeleine King Tanya Plibersek Darren McCubbin Sara Rhodes-Ward Daniel Kelly Angela Gibbs

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Let the wining or perhaps the 'whining' begin. Today (22 November) marks National Mining and Related Industries Day, which celebrates the enormous contribution of Australia’s mining and related industries to the domestic economy and the livelihood of all Aussies. https://lnkd.in/gP9UmGH2 #mining #resources #exploration #minesite #NationalMiningDay

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In the expanding landscape of critical minerals, scandium, a lesser-known element, is gaining prominence for its potential to revolutionise various industries, from aerospace to clean energy. Australia is positioning itself as a key player in the global scandium market, capitalising on its vast resources and advanced mining technologies. Read more by subscribing to Samso Insights on Patreon: https://hubs.ly/Q02vgm8g0 💡 Register for free on Samso Insights @ Patreon. #Samso #Investments #CoffeeWithSamso #RoosterTalk #SamsoInsights #NoelOng #MineralExploration #ASX #compellingASXstories #Patreon #Scandium #Australia #RenewableEnergy

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Adavale Resources poised to launch maiden uranium exploration at its Mundowdna and Mundowdna South licences in South Australia, which will leverage historical geophysical data to identify potential paleochannels rich in uranium deposits Adavale Resources #ASX $ADD

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$ZNC - Zenith Minerals is pleased to report that exploration is to re-commence at the Company’s 100% owned #lithium projects in Western Australia following a strategic review of its lithium business. Under the former 2022 farm-in agreement, approximately A$9.3M was spent by EVM on Zenith’s two Western Australian lithium projects - Split Rocks and Waratah Well. Most of the work under the farmin was completed in 2022 with no drilling undertaken during 2023. Zenith shareholders are the beneficiaries of the significant amount of funds spent that saw 23,000m of drilling and over 15,000 2 geochemical samples completed across the two Zenith projects, culminating in the discovery of the Rio lithium deposit and definition of a 11.9Mt @ 0.72% Li2O Maiden Mineral Resource (ASX Release 28 Sept 23) at Split Rocks and high-grade lithium mineralisation defined at the Waratah Well project. Managing Director Michael Clifford commented: “I’m pleased to announce the conclusion of the strategic review of Zenith’s lithium business and advise that the Company will now proceed with initially drill testing six high-priority targets on the 100% owned Split Rocks project in Western Australia. These drill targets include 1km step out drilling northwest of the Rio Lithium Mineral Resource and 5 other key targets beyond the Rio deposit, including the undrilled 9km long Cielo geochemical anomaly. These drill targets are explained in some detail in the accompanying Company presentation titled “2024 Lithium Forward Program” released to ASX today.” Although there was interest in Zenth’s lithium assets from various strategics, the feedback from several parties was that they were looking for more advanced projects, but they strongly indicated that as the projects are advanced, they would consider re-engaging. The opportunity now is for the Company to progress our high-quality lithium projects with additional work, and then reassess our position in 6 to 12 months’ time.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3T8NZ9p $ZNC Michael Clifford Christopher Shanley Andrew Grove

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This is a great opportunity to learn about 4 geopolitical trends including structural shifts in the international system, breakdown in trust, geotechnology and climate crisis.

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Metals Australia Ltd has released its Quarterly Activities Report for the quarter ended 31 March 2024.   Highlights include: ◾ Commencement of highly experienced Mining Executive, Paul Ferguson, as Chief Executive Officer. This has enabled the Company to significantly advance planning and preparation for the exploration, metallurgical test work programs and design studies required to move its flagship Lac Rainy high-grade #graphite project towards development. ◾ The company hosted an investor booth at Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). The convention was hugely successful with significant contacts and connections established, who have expressed their interest in our project. Connections include government representatives, fund managers, investors and a wide range of technical services and engineering companies covering all aspects of the study programs required to advance the companies projects. This helped raise the profile of the Lac Rainy project, along with our other Quebec based projects. Follow up meetings with the government and supportive, Quebec based, exploration and project investment funds has further enhanced our profile in Canada. ◾ The Company held strategic planning workshops in Australia and Canada to review the extensive portfolio of high-quality exploration tenements held by the group. Strategic plans and priorities were developed for each project and plans are advancing to progress further exploration and metallurgical test programs. The Company is also investigating additional exploration or project opportunities where they add scale or accelerated pathways to development. The balance of the financial year will see further announcements, outlining plans. Read full report here: https://bit.ly/3QtvKO3 #ASX #MLS #exploration

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Tonight’s budget surplus is a direct result of the robust contributions from the mining industry. The mining industry contributed over half of all the company tax collected from large companies and continues to play a crucial role in funding the government services we all rely on. The Federal Government must remember that it is business and industry, both large and small who are the real wealth creators in Australia. Every Australian has a stake in the success of our mining industry, and it is time that the Federal Budget reflects that reality. https://lnkd.in/gDvBeS58

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Western Australia: A Global Mining Powerhouse Recent data underscores WA's position as a global mining powerhouse, with CME statistics revealing that the resources sector drives the WA economy, and accounts for approximately 30% of the WA Government’s revenue. Survey results and statistics collected by CME for the annual Economic Contribution Factsheets show a record $132b in direct spending by the WA resources sector in Australia in the 2022-23 financial year – a 32% increase from the previous year. This creates a ripple effect, with spending by the WA resources sector supporting more than 350k additional full-time equivalent jobs across the remainder of the state’s economy. CME CEO Rebecca Tomkinson said, “Given that our data represents a snapshot of the activities of only CME member companies, the full influence and benefits provided by our sector would be even greater than what is outlined in our Economic Contribution Factsheets.” Read on: https://ow.ly/WAF350SmUIi

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Now more than ever we need a competitive resources sector if we are to provide future generations of Queenslanders with the same opportunities we enjoy today. The challenge for us as a business – and the industry more broadly – is the attractiveness for capital and investment in Queensland relative to opportunities in other parts of the world.

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💰 ⚒ 🏔 BHP’s bid for Anglo casts cloud over troubled $9b polyhalite mine Another great perspective from The Australian Financial Review. The article is behind a paywall, but I've provided key extracts below, to provide an insight into the troubles with polyhalite. BHP Group proposal for a $US39 billion ($60 billion) takeover of rival Anglo American is all about securing plenty of copper supplies — so now, the potential deal is throwing uncertainty over the future for Anglo’s massive fertiliser mine in England. That’s largely because BHP is already building its own giant fertiliser project in Canada, called Jansen, to which it’s already committed more than $US10 billion. With an accelerated expansion planned for Jansen, BHP is unlikely to be interested in also going big on Anglo’s Woodsmith site. Underscoring the doubt is the fact that the Woodsmith project involves polyhalite, a relatively obscure fertiliser product with unproven demand. The project has a checkered past — its previous owner Sirius Minerals rode a wave of retail investor enthusiasm to develop it, only to fail to raise the final piece of financing. But on the fertiliser front, big questions remain over how much demand there will be for polyhalite, currently a niche product. The Woodsmith mine makes the deal “very awkward indeed — it’s the reason why we didn’t think BHP would get involved with Anglo American,” said Ben Davis, a mining analyst at Liberum Capital. “BHP clearly doesn’t think much of it.” Last year, Anglo took a $US1.7 billion write-down on the project while also unveiling plans to spend almost $US5 billion to bring the mine into production by 2027 — taking its total spending on Woodsmith to $US9 billion. MY TAKE: 🤔 • The Anglo asset Woodsmith is not a tier-1 asset, in a tier-1 mining jurisdiction. This is my polite description. • The key "product" from Woodsmith is actually NOT potash, but polyhalite, which does include valuable potassium & sulphate. UNLIKE other potash fertilisers, polyhalite also contains calcium & magnesium, which are also plant nutrients, but severely limits the applications for the product, due to lower potassium content & compatibility issues. • The Woodsmith mine has been a money pit from the beginning and makes little sense, for the rational market participant. • Comparing Woodsmith to BHP's huge Jansen project is embarrassing, particularly given they both have a similar budget. There are some things the Brits are just better than us that call Down Under home. Unfortunately, destroying shareholder capital in ill-fated potash projects happens to be one of those things that we've done really well in Australia, it just so happens the Brits are just that much better than us at it. 🤣 ➡ If you hear another armchair analyst tell you that BHP is really interested in Woodsmith, once you've managed to contain your laughter, compose yourself, and make a mental note, to never listen to said "analyst" again. #mining #potash #fertiliser

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$ARR - Melissa Sanderson, Board Member American Rare Earths Limited, will participate in the Financial Times Mining Summit To learn more click https://lnkd.in/gsyRWEbh Mel's session will take place: 26 September, 9:00 - 9:40 Geopolitical Update: Elections, China and Protectionism  2024 is a testing year for democracy. Half of the world's population has the opportunity to vote in national elections. Many of the election manifestos across the world contain commitments to build out domestic supply chains and strengthen resource ownership, moving away from a reliance on China. Meanwhile, China’s economic slowdown could mean that it may not have the capital to maintain the levels of investment that fuel metals demand.  - Trump’s campaign in the US and the European Commission elections - has the year of campaigning further fanned the flame of geopolitical tensions or cooled it?  - Will the elections result in a retreat from green policies? And if so what does that mean for the mobilisation of capital for raw materials, in particular critical minerals for the energy transition? - How will China’s demand for resources develop as it focuses more on services and infrastructure instead of property?  Melissa Sanderson, Board Member, American Rare Earths  Steele Li, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, CMOC Moderator: Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial Times 15% Discount available: How to Apply: Use the code SPEAKER15 on the attached card at checkout https://lnkd.in/ghCcnkfy to receive the discount to attend.

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Building Stronger Relationships with First Nations Communities 🤝 In this episode of Talon Talks, Chief Wilfred King from Gull Bay First Nation shares his insights on how mining companies can create meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities. By engaging early and proactively, the benefits are mutual and long-lasting. Listen to the full conversation and learn how companies can foster genuine cooperation here:👉 https://lnkd.in/gwPJWrkj Don't miss out on valuable insights! 📺🔔 #TalonTalks #FirstNations #CommunityEngagement #MiningIndustry #SustainableDevelopment #IndigenousPartnerships #Podcast

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Looking good. Thank you to all volunteers who have given their time for intelligent consideration. Overall appears to be more streamlined and transparent, improved organisation in Table 1, and I value the clarity around Competency (... minimum experience is still 5 years ... I encourage professionals not to conflate confidence of youth with competence ... know that the more times you try, and the more you build from learning from mistakes, and applying those learnings ... especially if you get to do numerous reconciliations across different geological contexts ... the more you practice, the more you truly know, and the more real your competency)

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