Our Team

Brad ThompsonMining reporter

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

Latest

MiningMining & Energy

MinRes AGM Managing Director Chris EllisonPhoto byline: Courtney McAllister

MinRes on hunt for in-house lawyer

Mineral Resources has restarted the approvals process for a new iron mine as it searches for a senior legal counsel.

Brad Thompson

Trump presidencyMining & Energy

US President-elect Donald Trump reacts during a MAGA victory rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2025, one day ahead of his inauguration ceremony. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)

‘Supercharged’ Trump critical to our rare earths hopes

Australia is growing confident of stronger co-operation with the US on critical minerals supply chains as Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Brad Thompson

InvestmentsMining & Energy

(L-R) Adam Giles, Dan Wade, Garry Korte, Gina Rinehart, and Gerhard Veldsman photographed together in Washington, D.C. ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Rinehart’s top bosses on hunt for US investments

Australia’s richest person has taken a high-powered team to hunt for mining and agricultural investment in the US as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House.

Brad Thompson

climatePolitics

Resources Minister Madeleine King has issued a 'lifestyle' warning on green power, as Anthony Albanese prepares to unveil a $2bn plan to help aluminium smelters transition to renewables by 2036.

Minister reveals green transition ‘truth’

Resources Minister Madeleine King warns support for Labor’s renewable transition will evaporate if voters lose their lifestyles, as Anthony Albanese prepares to reveal a plan to get aluminium smelters switched to renewables by 2036.

Brad Thompson

ProfilePolitics

14/1/2025Minister Madeleine King with her bees from her hives in her backyard in Rockingham.Pic Colin Murty

King is the safekeeper of mining as our economic queen bee

Angry bees have taught Resources Minister Madeline King the value of staying calm and that good preparation and planning pay off in beekeeping as well as policymaking.

Brad Thompson

CommentaryMining & Energy

An autonomous haul truck dumps a load of rock in the mine pit at Rio Tinto Group's Gudai-Darri iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Australia, on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Rio Tinto is preparing for trials of battery-powered locomotives in Australia, where it uses giant autonomous trains — the world’s largest and longest robots — to transport iron ore across the vast Outback. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

What the smart money says about the mega-merger

On the face of it, somewhat straight-laced Rio and aggressive deal-maker Glencore would seem unlikely dance partners, but dig deeper and there is much to be gained.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

FILE PHOTO: Machinery operates in a pit at Rio Tinto Group's West Angelas iron ore mine in Pilbara, Australia, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. Rio Tinto Group said Chief Executive Officer Tom Albanese will step down, after announcing a surprise $14 billion impairment. Sam Walsh, head of the iron-ore division, has been appointed as his successor with effect from today, the company said in a statement. Photographer: Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Rio, Glencore exploring mega merger

Rio Tinto and Glencore have held early-stage talks about a deal valued at $260bn which would create the biggest mining company in the world.

Brad Thompson

EnergyBusiness

8/7/2021WA business leader Stuart Nicholls CEO Strike, at kings Park PerthPic Colin Murty The Australian

Strike considers sales as MD exits

Strike Energy and managing director Stuart Nicholls are parting ways as the company considers the future of its gas assets in the Perth Basin.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

A haul truck is loaded by a digger with material from the pit at Rio Tinto Group's West Angelas iron ore mine in Pilbara, Australia, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012. Rio Tinto Group, the world's second-biggest iron ore exporter, will spend $518 million on the first driverless long-distance trains to haul the commodity from its Western Australia mines to ports, boosting efficiency. Photographer: Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Rio facing more iron ore headaches in WA

The mining heavyweight has warned shareholders about production costs after a rain-hit end to 2024.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

The New Acland Mine has extracted coal for the first time from the Queensland Government approved Stage 3 site. Picture: New Hope Group

Coal industry blasts ‘intolerable lawfare’

Coal industry leaders have demanded to know why taxpayer money was used to help fund court cases that cost New Hope Corporation more than $100m to defend.

Brad Thompson

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/brad-thompson/page/6