The deal still awaits the crucial Newcrest shareholder vote, scheduled for Oct. 13.

Efforts to divest BHP’s interests in the Daunia and Blackwater sites in Queensland are ongoing.

For BHP to engage in a buyout, it would need to consider price, ease of jurisdiction, and opportunity to add value.

The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) formed last year by 14 governments aims to ensure adequate supplies of minerals such as lithium and rare earths to meet zero-carbon goals.

Nick Selby, who joined Lucapa in 2014, took the helm in August this year after former boss Stephen Wetherall stepped down.

The mining giant has begun at Kumba Iron Ore, where 181 workers got notices and 141 jobs are expected to be cut.

Hancock Prospecting now owns 14.67% of the lithium producer, according to an ASX filing late Tuesday.

The overall message from the Australian government's commodity outlook is that evenly balanced risks translates into still robust volumes, but at lower prices.