Wesfarmers loses third senior executive in three months

Long-serving Wesfarmers executive Tom O'Leary is swapping chemicals, energy and fertilisers for mineral sands, joining Iluka Resources as its new managing director, according to the Australian Financial Review.

O'Leary, who has worked at Wesfarmers for 16 years, with stints running the chemicals, energy and fertilisers business, the coal operations and business development, takes over from outgoing Iluka managing director David Robb, who resigned in March after 10 years at the helm.

Juniors’ lithium rush shapes Pilbara landscape

Pilbara Minerals is set to appoint resources veteran Tony Kiernan as its new chairman and Chris Ellison’s Mineral Resources is moving into the region, in the latest moves shaking up the emerging Pilbara lithium sector, according to the West Australian.

For an industry that did not exist two years ago, the shape of Pilbara lithium is emerging with speed. Two years ago, Pilbara Minerals was still to close its deal with Global Advanced Metals to acquire the Tabba Tabba tantalum project and its now-flagship Pilgangoora lithium project.

Barminco wins $270m MMG renewal

Underground mining contractor Barminco Holdings has secured a five-year contract renewal at MMG’s Dugald River zinc project worth $250 million to $270 million, according to the West Australian.

Private equity-owned Barminco has been working at the north west Queensland project since 2012. The company said the existing contract was put out to the market at the end of its term under standard corporate governance practices.

The contractor would provide a full suite of services, with a near-term focus on development.