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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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31/7/24: Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm. John Feder/The Australian.

Rio Tinto hopeful Chinese economy can ride out trade war

The mining heavyweight, led by Jakob Stausholm, has warned of an uncertain future as tariffs bite but points to green shoots in China.

Brad Thompson

MiningRenewable energy & economy

Fortescue's North Star Junction solar farm.

It’s expensive to get to net zero: Fortescue racks up $350m drill bill

Fortescue has started work on one of the giant solar farms it needs to turn iron ore mines green and is forking out $350m for electric drill rigs.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

The Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. processing plant in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Lynas, the only key supplier of the critical minerals outside China, has won further financial backing from Washington to build a plant in the US. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg via Getty Images

China’s move on rare earths ‘highlights need for stockpile’

China’s action in moving to cut off the supply of rare earths and permanent magnets to the Western world underlines the need for Australia to create a strategic reserve of critical minerals.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

24/01/2018Former WA premier Colin Barnett as he packs up his office after 27 years in politics, photographed in Cottesloe.pic Colin Murty The Australian.

Secret Chevron deal never intended to cover iron ore: Barnett

The former WA premier has called on Chevron to compromise on levies it will pocket from Mineral Resources for iron ore exports.

Brad Thompson

MiningMining & Energy

Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations. Picture: Supplied by Northern Star Resources

Northern Star closes in on $6.1bn takeover as gold price soars

Kingmaker Gold Road has declared its hand in favour of a De Grey Mining takeover, as the action ratchets up among precious metal miners.

Brad Thompson

EXCLUSIVEMining & Energy

First Chevron Wheatstone LNG cargo departs for Japan.jpg

MinRes faces $1bn bill under secret Chevron port deal

The WA government has dragged embattled MinRes to court after failing to persuade Chevron to waive port fees.

Brad Thompson

EXCLUSIVEMining & Energy

One of Mineral Resources transhippers that operates out of Onslow.

MinRes at war with Chevron over ‘secret’ levies

Mineral Resources has blasted the oil and gas giant as it fights for the future of a $3.5bn iron ore project and thousands of jobs.

Brad Thompson

EXCLUSIVEBusiness

MinRes AGM Managing Director Chris EllisonPhoto byline: Courtney McAllister

Defiant Ellison tells staff MinRes will prove naysayers wrong

Mineral Resources boss Chris Ellison reveals he’s up for the challenge as the company fights for survival.

Brad Thompson

EnergyMining & Energy

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Billionaire businessman philanthropist Andrew Forrest speaks during a Leadership Matters breakfast on April 10, 2025 in Perth, Australia. Dr. Andrew

Nuclear power is ‘not cool’, declares Andrew Forrest

Billionaire Andrew Forrest says young Australian men are under the mistaken impression that nuclear energy is ‘pretty cool’.

Brad Thompson

MiningLegal Affairs

Northern Star Resources managing director Stuart Tonkin. Picture: Sharon Smith, supplied by Northern Star Resources.

Northern Star fined $750k for safety breach that injured worker

Northern Star, the biggest gold miner on the ASX, has pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to safety breaches which left a worker with spinal and leg injuries.

Brad Thompson

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/brad-thompson/page/7