Novonix finalises US$150m grant, Qantas boss wants ‘super terminal’ and BHP workers seek better conditions

Novonix’s (ASX: NVX) shares have been surging in recent days after confirming it is in discussions with the US Department of Energy for a grant worth US$150 million (A$240 million) to fund its production expansion plans.

The battery materials and technology company has also been in advanced talks with multiple suitors over additional funding which may involve offtake agreements.

Novonix confirmed it will put the grant towards the construction of a 30,000 tonne per annum US manufacturing facility to produce synthetic graphite anode materials.

Novonix co-founder and chief executive officer Chris Burns confirmed the news in an ASX announcement late last week.

“We are proud to have been selected to negotiate this funding in recognition of our readiness to accelerate the domestic supply chain and meet growing global demand from the electric vehicle and stationary grid storage markets.”

Dr Burns also noted this week the company was in “advanced discussions with customers who are looking at financing options, prepayment or debt arrangements to support financing the plant and securing off-takes for when that plant comes online”.

While suitors have not been named at this stage, Mr Burns said the company is targeting first production from its new facility in 2025, but hopes to bring forward that timetable, if possible.

Also, according to Mr Burns, the site of the new facility will be revealed within the next two months.

Qantas

Australia’s largest domestic and international airline Qantas (ASX: QAN) is eyeing off the development of a “super terminal” at Sydney Airport, calling on the new owners to combine its international and domestic terminals into one.

Qantas chief executive officer Alan Joyce spoke at an American Chamber of Commerce event this week, suggesting the divided terminals at Sydney Airport was his “biggest pain point” when looking at Sydney.

“They would have to expand where we are in the domestic side – there is a whole series of hangars and land where they could expand into and create a new Qantas international terminal for Qantas and its partners,” he said.

“That is a potential plan we would like the airport to work towards.”

Mr Joyce said it would make life easier and better for users, with Qantas able to allocate greater funds towards improving the airline’s lounges, as well as saving passengers time spent moving between the terminals.

BHP Group

Workers at BHP Group’s (ASX: BHP) Queensland coal mines have pushed for better conditions, with the Mining & Energy Union confirming workers had voted overwhelmingly in favour of job security protections, including shift length stoppages and a stop to non-rostered overtime.

It’s been reported that 90% of voters supported stoppages of one to six hours, on top of 94% having voted for bans on non-rostered overtime, as well as other actions.

Mining & Energy Union Queensland District president Stephen Smyth said it was just the start in what the union hopes will be a successful campaign.

“The next step will be to engage with members and develop an effective plan for protected industrial action to achieve a fairer Enterprise Agreement that recognises the value of job security,” he said.

According to the Union, around 2,000 workers at the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s seven coal mines are covered under the BMA Central Enterprise Agreement.

Mr Smyth said action is pivotal to help protect the industry’s future.

“Many thanks to our members for making their voices heard and showing their strong commitment to taking action in support of current and future permanent jobs in our industry,” he said.

Newcrest Mining

A “critical incident” occurred at Newcrest Mining’s (ASX: NCM) Brucejack mine site in British Columbia, Canada, on 22 October 2022.

The individual involved in the incident was from mining and development contractor for the project, Procon.

Newcrest has since commenced working closely with Procon in investigating the incident.

In a company announcement, the mining giant said: “there is nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of those who work at Newcrest.”

“Newcrest’s focus is on providing support to all those impacted during this distressing time,” the company stated.

The company has since halted all operations and work at the site “until further notice”.

Coles

Coles (ASX: COL) has partnered with US Alphabet-owned tech company Wing, in an effort to provide Australia’s first “store-to-door” drone delivery service to several Gold Coast suburbs.

The service will become available in the suburbs of Ormeau, Ormeau Hills, and Yatala, and will offer cover500 of the most popular grocery items including bread, fresh produce, snacks and other items.

Coles Group head of network development and customer delivery James Geddes said the new service will guide the future of delivery technology.

“Whether they’ve forgotten to pick up a loaf of bread or fresh milk during their weekly shop or are missing an ingredient for dinner-time meal prep or school lunches, can now get those products delivered quickly without having to drive to the store,” he said.

The news comes seven months after Coles successfully completed a pilot program in Canberra, where more than 5,000 deliveries were made through the drone service.

Gold Coast isn’t the only place in Australia to try Wing drone delivery, with Wing partnering last year with Vicinity Centres to deliver goods from the Grand Plaza shopping centre rooftop to customers in Logan, which is a suburb south of Brisbane.