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The A$3bn syndicated loan will bolster Fortescue’s general corporate activities. Credit: William Potter / Shutterstock

Fortescue has successfully syndicated a Renminbi-denominated syndicated term loan facility of 14.2bn yuan (A$3bn).

This marks a first for an Australian corporation in the Chinese lending market.

The strategic move underscores Fortescue’s commitment to its decarbonisation agenda and strengthens its long-standing ties with China.

The syndicated loan, which includes participation from top Chinese, Australian and international lenders, will bolster Fortescue’s general corporate activities. It also aims to support the company’s decarbonisation strategy, which involves partnerships with Chinese technology leaders and suppliers.

The five-year loan’s terms outline a principal repayment of 0.5% every six months, starting 18 months post-financial close, with a 12-month availability period.

Fortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest AO said: “This isn’t just a financial transaction. It is a signal of what is possible when partners are aligned in ambition. As the United States steps back from investing in what will be the world’s greatest industry, China and Fortescue are advancing the green technology needed to lead the global green industrial revolution.”

Rio Tinto has announced a A$180m ($117m) investment to commence the Norman Creek access project at the Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland, Australia.

This project is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the mine, which holds approximately half of the declared Amrun ore reserves, around 978 million tonnes (mt).

Construction has begun on essential infrastructure including a 19km haul road, workforce accommodation and a communications tower. First production from Norman Creek is scheduled for 2027, with the project's completion expected in 2028.

The Norman Creek project is part of a broader initiative by Rio Tinto to bolster its bauxite operations.

The company has also initiated early works and a final feasibility study on the Kangwinan project, aiming to enhance production capacity at Amrun.

If it goes ahead, Kangwinan could augment annual bauxite production by up to 20mt, on top of the current 23mt, and expand export capabilities via the Amrun port.

Alcoa, along with Japanese trading house Sojitz and the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), are assessing gallium production in Western Australia (WA).

Alcoa of Australia reached a joint development agreement with Japan Australia Gallium Associates, a joint venture between Sojitz and JOGMEC.

The companies are evaluating the viability of gallium production at one of Alcoa’s alumina refineries in WA. The partners are working towards a final investment decision by the end of 2025. Production is scheduled to begin in 2026, subject to further commercial agreements and regulatory clearances.

Alcoa of Australia president Elsabe Muller said: “This opportunity could deliver additional value from our established operations and further demonstrate how Alcoa’s long-standing mineral processing capabilities can be significant in supporting state, national and global objectives in technology and national defence.”

Gallium, a critical mineral for the technology and defence industries, has seen heightened global demand due to market controls in China.

Australian Vanadium Limited (AVL) has received approval from the Western Australian Planning Commission for its proposed vanadium processing plant.

In a filing, the company confirmed that the development application for the facility has been cleared. The company called the move a “major step forward” in its strategy to develop a fully integrated vanadium supply chain in Australia.

The Tenindewa facility, located around 65km east of Geraldton, is a key part of the Australian Vanadium Project, which includes a mine, a concentrator and an already operational vanadium electrolyte manufacturing plant in Perth.

The facility will be instrumental in enabling AVL to produce vanadium products, manufacture electrolytes and support the deployment of vanadium flow batteries entirely within Western Australia.

In January, the WA Government granted the Australian Vanadium Project green energy major project status, recognising its potential to unlock domestic vanadium production and support energy storage solutions.

The Australian and South Australian Governments have announced an additional A$275m ($181m) in funding to support the Whyalla Steelworks during its transition to new ownership.

Since the company entered voluntary administration in February, the Malinauskas Labor Government and the Albanese Labor Government have collaborated to keep the business operational, supporting local jobs and providing stability to the community.

The latest funding will allow administrator KordaMentha to maintain safe operations, pay wages and suppliers and carry out essential works while a new owner is sought for the steelworks.

On 4 August 2025, the Government of South Australia confirmed than 15 national and international parties had passed the final expression of interest phase for the Whyalla steelworks.

Separately, Australia’s largest steel manufacturer BlueScope announced that it will lead an international consortium with Japanese (Nippon), Indian (JSW Steel) and Korean (POSCO) steelmakers to participate in the sale process.