Darwin Branch Relaunch Newsletter - August 2026

Sharon Paulka Darwin Branch Chair

03 Aug 2026 · 548 words, 6 minute read

Welcome to the Darwin Branch Relaunch Newsletter

Catch up on the latest stories, events and updates from the AusIMM Darwin and Northern Territory Branch.

Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to our first edition of the Darwin Branch Newsletter since our reformation earlier this year.

Firstly, I would like to introduce our new committee:

Sharon Paulka – Chair
Paul Easton – Vice Chair
Jo Seongho – Secretary
Lucas Frichot – Treasurer
Peter Waggitt – Immediate past Chair
Abdul Rahman
Mathilda Lee Huey

We have been active over the past few months getting things back together and running a few events that are summarised in the rest of the newsletter. Please read on and thanks for joining us.

March Tech Talk - Progress of rehabilitating the former Rum Jungle uranium mine site

Ian Harvey (NT Mines Department) provided an update on the progress of rehabilitating the former Rum Jungle uranium mine site, located 105 km south of Darwin. Mining activities at the site between 1954 and 1971 resulted in significant environmental impacts, primarily due to acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD), which affected the East Branch of the Finniss River.

The talk was held at Charles Darwin University, and we have a great turn out with over 70 participants.

June Tech Talk - Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) management strategies used for the open-cut operation at McArthur River Mine (MRM) during the wet season.

Jack Stipcevich, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at McArthur River Mine presented an outline of strategies applied in practice to manage wet season risks and maintain safe operations. Jack also explained how automatic rainfall gauges have been integrated into response plans, enabling timely decision-making and improved management of intense rainfall events and associated operational hazards at MRM

Held at Charles Darwin University, the talk provided an engaging overview of a practical rehabilitation solution that could be easily applied at other operations.

Pine Creek Goldrush Festival

The Darwin Branch committee attended the goldrush festival in Pine Creek on 27 June 2026. The AusIMM branch booth attracted a lot of attention, and the committee were able to engage with local miners, politicians and the public.

The committee members in attendance also enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about each other’s mining journeys, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of the rich heritage that the AusIMM Darwin branch has supported over the years. Flyers for the Pine Creek Geotrial and Pine Creek Miners Park were distributed.

Upcoming Tech Talk – 27 August 2026: NVRO Metals Hub Project

Hear from James Marshall, Principal Mining Engineer at Measured Group, as he discusses the NVRO Metals Hub Australia Project.

Following the impending acquisition of the former Browns Oxide Project assets by NVRO Metals Ltd (TSX: NVRO), the company has rapidly completed the re-evaluation and publication of NI 43-101 Resource and Reserve estimates and is advancing plans to recommence mining and processing operations at the site.

NVRO Metals will also use the project to support the commercialisation of the NVRO Process™, a technology designed to recover valuable critical, precious and base metals from sulphidic waste and other complex feedstocks while reducing their acid-generating potential.

Successful deployment of the technology could provide a pathway for broader adoption and improved environmental outcomes across the global mining industry.

Find out more and register: Darwin Branch Tech Talk & Livestream: NVRO Metals Hub Project