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Brad Thompson is The Australian’s mining reporter, covering all aspects of the resources industry and based in Perth.

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Iron ore heiress reaps $277m as bitter legal ruling looms

Angela Bennett’s Wright Prospecting has posted a $277.2m profit as she awaits the outcome of a bitter legal battle with fellow iron ore heiress Gina Rinehart.

Brad Thompson

DefenceCompanies

US Navy’s Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) during sea trials. This vessel (which is actually designed in Australia and built in the USA by Austal Ships of WA) uses the RAC Plus panelling produced by CBG Systems - I checked with the managing director Javier Herbon to make sure I have the right vessel. Also attached is a much lower-res one of three at shipbuilder Austal USA's Mobile, Alabama, yard.

AUKUS is safe no matter who’s in the White House: Austal chair

He was appointed, and then sacked, by Donald Trump as US Navy secretary but Austal chair Richard Spencer is comfortable the future of the alliance is safe.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

The Wodgina lithium project, operated by Mineral Resources, in the Pilbara Region of Western Australian.

MinRes banks on customer relations to dodge scandal fallout

The mining and contracting company says its relationships with key customers are strong enough to withstand any reputational damage from a tax scandal involving founder Chris Ellison.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

Chris Wallin, Mining richlister and Qcoal boss, has just made a big donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Brisbane City, Friday 25th March 2022 - Photo Steve Pohlner

Coal baron banks $400m, moves away from Queensland mines

Reclusive billionaire Chris Wallin says he shifted investment away from Queensland over the past two years because of the former Labor government’s disdain for mining.

Brad Thompson

EnergyBusiness

Mrs Rinehart and Mr Ellison discussing the Hancock-MRL joint venture at a private function for long-serving Hancock staff, Dec 2021. Picture supplied by Hancock Prospecting.

Rinehart splashes $1.1bn on gas bet as MinRes slashes jobs

Gina Rinehart paid tribute to her friend, MinRes boss Chris Ellison, after pulling off a huge WA gas buyout, as MinRes revealed it had cut over 570 jobs in the last four months.

Brad Thompson

EconomyCompanies

BHP Chair, Ken MacKenzie, and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Henry, at BHP’s Annual General Meeting in Brisbane. Photo by Luke Marsden.

BHP expects more IR disputes and government policy’s to blame

BHP chief executive Mike Henry has told the company’s AGM more industrial relations disputes loom as new federal workplace laws start to take effect.

Glen Norris and Brad Thompson

ResourcesMining & Energy

Dale Henderson, chief executive officer of Pilbara Minerals Ltd., at the company's Pilgangoora lithium project in Port Hedland, Western Australia, on Friday, July 29, 2022. The highest bid for material at an auction run by Australia's Pilbara Minerals dropped for the first time since the exchange was launched last year. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

Pilbara Minerals boss tips lithium carnage as price slumps

Pilbara Minerals is moving a plant into care and maintenance until lithium’s price improves and CEO Dale Henderson is surprised more producers haven’t already hit hard times.

Brad Thompson

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/brad-thompson/page/16