Business · 22 Oct 2026
A proposed off-grid renewable energy precinct in the Kimberley that includes a 1GW data centre and 6.7GW of generation capacity, valued at $41 billion, has been formally referred for federal environmental assessment. The referral begins the project’s assessment under national environment law and marks a significant step for the large-scale regional development.
Business · 22 Oct 2026
Ben Palmer, the former head of GESB, will lead a new infrastructure-focused division at Affinity Capital Group, signalling fresh private-sector attention to WA projects. The move comes as local executives and investors lean on specialised WA intelligence tools such as Data & Insights to track opportunities and risks.
Business · 21 Oct 2026
Manhattan Gold’s first-ever drilling at Hook Lake in Nunavut has returned multiple high-grade gold intercepts at its Jaws prospect and a substantial copper–gold–zinc–silver hit at a new Spectre target, expanding the project’s potential to a multi-kilometre discovery. The 25-hole, 4,592-metre program has extended known mineralisation and left key assays pending as the company plans further testing and an expanded 2027 season.
Business · 21 Oct 2026
Ben Roberts‑Smith has launched a coordinated publicity campaign this week that includes a new clothing label and a long‑form interview on 2GB, amid preparations to fight five counts of war crimes murder charges. The appearance, a 150‑minute interview to be premiered on YouTube, forms part of a broader push that has drawn high‑profile backers and raised questions about the effect of publicity on his legal proceedings.
Business · 21 Oct 2026
Fortescue Metals Group has terminated a senior executive after an independent MinterEllison investigation substantiated sexual harassment and bullying claims. The Perth-based iron ore giant, Australia’s third-largest miner, also faces a Federal Court class action alleging widespread misconduct at its Pilbara operations.
Business · 21 Oct 2026
Locksley Resources has established an operations hub at Tottenham and begun detailed re‑logging and metallurgical work as it prepares a staged 15,500‑metre drilling campaign across its 1,000‑square‑kilometre Greater Tottenham copper‑gold district. The company is finalising permits and a drill rig contract for initial programs at Iron Duke and other priority prospects while completing independent resource estimates for Tottenham and Iron Duke.
Business · 21 Oct 2026
Red Metal has begun six‑metre column leach testwork at its Sybella rare‑earths deposit in northwest Queensland to simulate commercial heap‑leach conditions and de‑risk processing ahead of a planned DFS. The programme targets recoveries, acid consumption and kinetics for the company’s 4.795‑billion‑tonne inferred resource, with a PFS due early next year.