• AusPost facility to boost regional operations
• New export record for SA copper
• Drone technology takes over at Maxwell Wines
• Santos loads first crude oil cargo from Alaska
• Pilot processing underway for AR3
• SA Training Awards finalists announced

AusPost facility to boost regional operations

Australia Post has opened a brand-new delivery centre in Murray Bridge to strengthen its delivery network across regional South Australia.

It is the second of four new facilities in regional SA and has been designed to support growing parcel demand and improve efficiency, safety and sustainability for team members.

The 1143 square metre facility is powered by rooftop solar and battery energy storage and can process up to 2,600 parcels per day, supporting faster and more efficient parcel processing.

“As more people shop online, particularly in regional areas, we’re continuing to invest in our regional network to keep pace with demand and changing customer needs, to deliver a better, more reliable service for our customers into the future,” Australia Post executive general manager of network operations Shane Plant said.

New export record for SA copper

Copper exports out of South Australia have cracked another record, with the state sending $5.3 billion worth of the resource in the year to June, 2026.

Mining Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the figures “continue to tell a clear story”.

“The world wants copper, and we are uniquely poised to supply it,” he said.

“The expansion of this highly prospective Copper Province can unlock projects with the potential to extend into the next century, supporting the state’s economy for decades.”

Drone technology takes over at Maxwell Wines

Maxwell Wines has become the first McLaren Vale winery to use drones for biological soil spraying.

The use of drone technology reduces the risk of damage to vineyards by removing large machinery and biosecurity risks associated with bring tractors onto the property.

It also eliminates diesel use and related emissions, requires significantly less water and covers the estate faster than tractors — allowing treatments to be applied within tighter weather windows.

“Deciding to use drones in the vineyard for these soil sprays is the next step in the plan to promote holistic vineyard practices at Maxwell,” Maxwell Wines vineyard manager Richard Wellsmore said.

Santos loads first crude oil cargo from Alaska

SA oil and gas giant Santos has successfully loaded the first crude oil cargo from its new Alaskan project, CEO Kevin Gallagher saying it marked an important milestone for the company – the state’s largest.

The inaugural cargo of 450,000 barrels of crude oil was destined for the United States West Coast refining system.

“With Pikka phase 1 now in operation, our focus is on transitioning from project execution to our disciplined, low-cost operating model, to maximise the project’s long-term value for shareholders,” Gallagher said.

Pilot processing underway for AR3

Australian Rare Earths has announced that its pilot processing program at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANTSO) critical metals processing facility in Sydney is underway.

Processing of approximately 30 tonnes of material from the company’s Limestone Coast mining project commenced last week, CEO and managing director Travis Beinke said.

“Commissioning is complete and Koppamurra ore is now being processed through a continuously operating pilot circuit – a genuine step up from laboratory-scale testwork,” he said.

“This project is delivering exactly what we need to finalise Koppamurra’s process design and drive toward a bankable, investment-ready outcome.”