Industry News

Rio Tinto is installing two new solar farms to secure sustainable energy for its bauxite mine on the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory.

Once the two 5.25-megawatt solar farms are operational, they will reduce the power station's diesel consumption by about 20%, or 4.5 million litres a year.

The mining giant also expects the project to reduce its annual carbon emissions by over 12,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to removing 2,800 cars from the road.

Rio Tinto Gove operations acting general manager Shannon Price said: "The Gove solar project is part of our shared vision with Traditional Owners to leave a positive legacy for the Gove Peninsula communities after bauxite mining ceases.

"We're working in partnership with the NT government and Traditional Owners to ensure a smooth transition of leased land and town assets and infrastructure as Rio Tinto prepares to stop mining at Gove later this decade."

The new solar farms will be built on Gumatj and Rirratjingu country, the largest Traditional Owners groups who are signatories to the RTA Gove Traditional Owners Agreement.

Aggreko, an energy solutions company, has been contracted to build and operate the solar farms for Rio Tinto for up to 10 years, with completion scheduled for early next year.

Rio Tinto's Gove site in the NT has been supplying the global aluminium industry with bauxite for more than 40 years.

Gove bauxite is shipped internationally and supplies the Queensland Alumina and Yarwun refineries in Gladstone, Queensland.

These refineries produce alumina as feedstock for Rio Tinto's Australian aluminium smelting operations and for sale on the international market.

Source: Energy News Bulletin 

Government Approval for NT Acquisition Received Top End Energy Limited (Top End or the Company) (ASX:TEE) is pleased to provide an update on the acquisition of the granted Northern Territory (NT) acreage from wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock Prospecting Limited (Hancock), first announced on 27 February 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Approval for the acquisition of the granted NT acreage in the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) has been received from the NT Government

• The approval represents satisfaction of the key remaining condition to completion of the transaction U

PDATE ON TRANSACTION AND PROGRESS TO COMPLETION

On 27 February 2024, the Company announced the execution of a binding term sheet to acquire NT Exploration Permits (EP) 144, 153 and 154 (the Permits) from Minerals Australia Pty Ltd and Jacaranda Minerals Limited, wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock (together, the Vendors)(the Transaction). On 14 May 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a full form SPA with the Vendors.

On 31 May 2024, the Company and the Vendors received the consent of the Northern Land Council to the transfer of the titles pursuant to the terms of the existing Co-existence and Exploration Deeds with the Traditional Owners of the Permits.

The Company has now also received approval for the acquisition of the granted NT acreage in the SPA from the delegate of the Minister of Mining under section 96 of the Petroleum Act 1984.

The parties will now move forward to completion of the Transaction once deeds of assignment and assumption for key existing agreements have been executed.

Source: Top End Energy 

On Thursday 20 June the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Hon Kate Worden MLA released the first annual progress report of the Territory Water Plan.

One year on from the release of the plan, the 2024 report details how the Northern Territory Government and partner organisations like Power and Water are tracking on implementing 16 priority actions, which aim to set the foundations for a water secure future for the Northern Territory (NT).

Over the last 12 months work has started on all priority actions and the majority of the commitments within these actions are on track to be delivered.

Some key achievements include:

• NT Health has started drafting the Safe Drinking Water Bill.
• A water reform taskforce has been set up and a program for water reform has been published identifying 4 phases for developing a new Water Act by 2026.
• Power and Water is on track to start construction to return Manton Dam to service by 2026.
• Over $84 million in funding has been committed by both NT Government and Australian Government on 8 new National Water Grid Fund projects to give NT communities better access to clean, safe and reliable water.
• Power and Water and Clean TeQ Water won the Infrastructure Project Innovation Regional Award for the Laramba Water Treatment Plant at the 2024 Australian Water Awards.
• The Territory Water Plan was nominated for the Organisational Excellence Award after winning this category at the NT Water Awards.
• A cross-agency remote water team has been established to develop a community engagement program to share information about water supplies, water quality, water security and infrastructure investment in remote Aboriginal communities.
• The Office of Water Security has continued to lead and coordinate water programs and priorities across the NT Government. This includes coordination with the Australian Government on national water reform.

 Territory water plan annual progress report 2024 PDF (1.5 MB).

Source: Northern Territory Government: Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security.

The Territory Labor Government is continuing to invest in securing our electricity grid to make sure Territorians have reliable power supply.

Territory Generation is embarking on a project to integrate new infrastructure to support the Darwin to Katherine electricity system to take on more renewable energy.

The synchronous condenser projects will further assist in stabilising the grid as more renewable energy is generated and deliver Essential System Services currently provided by existing rotating generators.

Territory Generation has commenced detailed design and engineering works to convert one of its Channel Island Power Station Frame 6B gas turbine generators to operate as a synchronous condenser.

The synchronous condenser complements Territory Generation’s big battery, the 35 MVA DK BESS and the recently announced DK BESS 2 to increase stability of the power system.

This investment in the electricity grid is designed to enable further uptake of renewable energy.

The project has been developed in consultation with Northern Territory Government stakeholders to align with the Immediate Investment Plan.

Source: Northern Territory Newsroom

The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to back industries that grow our economy, create working opportunities and secure our energy future.

Today, the Territory Government has awarded Major Project status to Tamboran Resources for their Beetaloo basin project, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminal at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct (MASDP).

Major Project Status provides Tamboran with significant benefits, including the Territory Governments acknowledgement of the Beetaloo Basin’s significance to the Territory’s economic prosperity and working and training opportunities.

Tamboran recently secured approval of its environmental management plan by the independent EPA for the drilling and flow testing of more wells in the Beetaloo. Tamboran has also completed its concept select process for a site it is seeking to develop at Middle Arm.

Territorians can have confidence that Tamboran’s integrated approach to development will support the growth of the on-shore gas industry in the Beetaloo Basin – which is expected to boost the Territory economy by over $17 billion and create thousands of working opportunities for many years to come – and support the development of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

Middle Arm will support up to 20,000 working opportunities for Territorians, with multiple proponents already slated for development.

The Lawler Government has signed a deal with Tamboran that will provide Territory gas for Territorians for nine years with an option to extend for another six-and-a-half years. This means the first gas from the Beetaloo Basin that is expected to be will be delivered to Territory power generators is expected in the first half of 2026

Tamborans Major Project status also provides assurances to investors of the importance that the Lawler Labor Government places on natural gas – creating more investment opportunities in the Territory.

Source: Northern Territory Newsroom

The Lawler Labor Government is getting the Territory working through the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, a precinct set to transform the NT’s Energy market and economy.

The cornerstone project just took another step forwards, with one of its key proponents signing an agreement with a Fortune Global 500 company.

Tivan, whose headquarters are in Darwin, have formed a strategic alliance with Japanese giant Sumitomo Corporation to drive the development and financing on Tivan’s Speewah Project.

The Speewah project, located in East Kimberley region, is planned to produce vanadium oxides to supply the Middle Arm Development Precinct – creating a local supply chain for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB). VRFB are an optimal long duration energy storage solution, with a lifespan of over 20 years, suitable for large-scale integration with the Territory’s world class solar and gas resources.

This landmark agreement follows a big week in the Territory resources sector, including Top End Energy being granted a petroleum exploration permit in the McArthur Basin and Tamboran Resources expanding their development in the Beetloo Sub-Basin by 15 new wells.

Gas extracted from the Beetaloo Sub-Basin has the potential to support 13,000 jobs by 2040 and increase the Northern Territory’s economic activity by $17 billion.

At the same time, The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct will boost our economy with 20,000 jobs for Territorians – providing work opportunities in Darwin and right up and down the Stuart Highway.

The Lawler Labor Government is driving economic development in the Territory through the highly successful Resourcing the Territory (RTT) program.

A new round of grants under the RTT program has seen a record number of recipients share in a record $4 million to begin, progress and expand a range of early stage exploration and development works.

41 projects from 29 companies have received a share of $4 million from the Lawler Labor Government under the Geophysics and Drilling Collaboration grants. Seven of the record 29 companies are brand new to the Resourcing the Territory Program, signifying industry confidence in our growing resources sector.

Tivan Limited, a key proponent of the Middle Arm Precinct, has been awarded $129,000 across two projects. This funding will enable drilling and geophysical projects in the Aileron area of central Australia, where innovative exploration has already identified surface lead and silver mineralisation.

The Territory Government increased the annual funding for the Resourcing the Territory program to $9.5 million, encouraging new and expanded development in the Territory’s resources sector.

This comes as industry confidence in the NT’s resources sector reaches new heights, with Top End Energy becoming the newest company to advance exploration in the highly prospective McArthur Basin and Tamboran Resources being granted environmental approvals to construct up to four appraisal sites, drilling, and natural gas testing of up to 15 wells in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

Mineral development is a huge driver of the Territory economy, the total value of the sector in the Northern Territory was $4.38 billion last year, with 5,300 working within the resources industry.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

The Lawler Labor Government is backing industries that get the Territory working and grow our economy. 

Tamboran Resources has received approval of its Environment Management Plan (EMP) to construct up to four exploration and appraisal sites, and undertake drilling and flow testing of up to 15 natural gas wells in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

This EMP has undergone robust and stringent assessment by the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security with the independent NT EPA determining the proposed activities did not meet the threshold for an environment impact assessment, in line with legislative and regulatory requirements.

Tamboran has also committed to an emissions management regime that is consistent with the NT Government’s net zero by 2050 target, in line with NT and Commonwealth Government requirements through its Greenhouse Gas Abatement Plan as part of its EMP.

Natural gas from the Beetaloo has the potential to provide work opportunities for thousands of Territorians, secure our energy supplies and deliver a huge boost to local businesses across the Territory.

Supporting the gas industry to grow and provide work opportunities to Territorians is another way we are getting the Territory working.

Gas extracted from the Beetaloo Sub-Basin has the potential to support 13,000 jobs by 2040 and increase the Northern Territory’s economic activity by $17 billion.

The Territory Labor Government is backing the expansion of the Territory gas industry by investing $2 million each year in the 2024 Budget to conduct a regional monitoring program in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin.

The monitoring program will ensure we have the strongest environmental safeguards and will build on the baseline data already collected through the Beetaloo SREBA.

Approved EMPs are available here https://depws.nt.gov.au/onshore-gas/environment-management-plan/approved-emps

Source: NT Government Newsroom

Top End Energy has been granted NT Exploration Permit 258 (EP 258), the first such permit in the Northern Territory since 2015. This milestone follows a multi-year application process, including native title holder agreements and NT Ministerial approvals.

The grant allows for an immediate start to the exploration program, which includes:

• Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) Survey
• Targeted 2D Seismic Acquisition and Data Processing
• Geochemical Analysis of Gas Migration Pathways
• Drill Prospect Determination and Ranking

The exploration aims to confirm the extension of the Velkerri Shale and the presence of the Bessie Sandstone formation. It will also evaluate natural hydrogen and helium potential. The AGG survey is expected to begin in Q3 2024, funded by current cash reserves.

This achievement sets the stage for the potential grant of additional NT permits (EP 257, EP 259, and EP 261) and reflects industry support from both federal and Territory governments for natural gas development.

Source: Top End Energy

Northern Territory Government Statement

Top End Energy Limited (Top End or the Company) (ASX:TEE) is pleased to provide an update on the acquisition of the granted Northern Territory (NT) acreage from wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock Prospecting Limited (Hancock), first announced on 27 February 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Consent has been received from the Northern Land Council (NLC) for the previously announced acquisition of granted NT acreage from Hancock

• NLC consent satisfies a critical condition for completion, with approval from the NT regulator being the final outstanding requirement

• Transaction remains on schedule for completion in June 2024

UPDATE ON TRANSACTION AND PROGRESS TO COMPLETION

On 27 February 2024, the Company announced the execution of a binding term sheet (the Term Sheet) to acquire NT Exploration Permits (EP) 144, 153 and 154 (the Permits) from Minerals Australia Pty Ltd and Jacaranda Minerals Limited, wholly owned subsidiaries of Hancock (together, the Vendors)(the Transaction). On 14 May 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a full form Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the Vendors.

The Company and the Vendors have since received the consent of the NLC to the transfer of the titles pursuant to the terms of the existing Co-existence and Exploration Deeds with the Traditional Owners of the Permits. This consent represents satisfaction of a critical condition required for the Transaction.

Completion of the Transaction is now only pending approval from the NT regulator. The parties are engaging with the NT Government and expect to receive this approval in the coming weeks.

Source: Top End Energy

To read the full ASX Announcement, click here.