Vale Base Metals to Deploy Coarse Particle Flotation at Salobo Copper Mine
Vale Base Metals will introduce coarse particle flotation (CPF) at its Salobo III copper mine in Brazil, aiming to lift ore throughput from 35 Mt in 2025 to 42 Mt by 2029. The CPF system processes larger particle sizes, allowing a primary grind increase to roughly 250 µm and potentially boosting overall capacity by up to 50% while using the existing grinding circuit. The project involves upgrades to crushing, hydrocyclone, compressor and water‑pumping infrastructure, and creates a coarse tailings stream for future optimisation. By repowering rather than adding new ball mills, Vale expects lower capital intensity and reduced specific grinding energy consumption.
FEATURE ARTICLE: Battery and Electric Vehicles
The International Mining Spotlight highlights a surge in electrification across the mining sector, with companies rapidly adopting battery‑powered electric vehicles (EVs) to cut emissions and operational costs. Recent advances in lithium‑ion and emerging solid‑state batteries are delivering higher energy density,...
Metso Launches Robotic Split Strip for Optimised Cathode Stripping in Copper Operations
Metso has launched the Outotec® Robotic Split Strip, a compact, robot‑driven system for separating cathode sheets from plates in copper electrorefining. The solution combines hydraulic precision with flexible robotics, replacing bulky mechanical split‑strip machines and allowing easier installation and maintenance....
Sandvik to Supply Loaders, Trucks and Drills to Aris Mining for Marmato Gold Expansion
Sandvik Mining has secured a major order from Colombia’s Aris Mining to supply underground loaders, trucks and drilling rigs for the Marmato gold expansion. The deal also bundles a long‑term maintenance contract and opens talks on automation and digital optimisation....
Ausenco to Carry Out Hillside Copper-Gold Project EPCM
Ausenco has secured the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract to deliver the Hillside copper‑gold project for Rex Minerals in South Australia. The undeveloped deposit contains approximately 1.9 million tonnes of copper and 1.5 million ounces of gold, and the plan...
EPCA to Electrify Cat 988 Wheel Loader for EMJC
EPCA has signed an agreement to convert a Caterpillar 988 wheel loader into a fully electric machine, marking a key milestone for zero‑emissions heavy equipment in Australia. The converted E‑988 will be deployed by EMJC at a large Western Australian...
NCC Initiates Extensive Works for New LKAB Iron Ore Sorting Plant in Gällivare
Swedish construction firm NCC has secured a roughly SEK 650 million ($68.6 million) contract to perform concreting and groundworks for LKAB’s new iron‑ore sorting plant in Gällivare. The work, covering a 24,000 m² site next to the existing facility, will start in the...
Sandvik Awarded Order for 13 Toro® LH515i Loaders From Codelco for Chuqui Underground
Sandvik secured an order from Chilean miner Codelco for 13 Toro LH515i load‑haul‑dump machines to support the Chuquicamata underground expansion. Deliveries start in March 2026 and run through November 2027, coinciding with the ramp‑up of a new production panel at one of the...
Founders Factory, Rio Tinto Announce New Investments Through Mining Tech Accelerator
Founders Factory and Rio Tinto have invested in six mining‑tech startups after reviewing over 500 applications, marking the latest cohort of their accelerator program. The selected companies focus on exploration and processing innovations such as AI‑driven resource modeling, low‑cost lithium...
Gold Fields to Trial Sandvik 66 Tonne Diesel-Electric Underground Truck at St Ives
Gold Fields announced a pilot of Sandvik’s 66‑tonne diesel‑electric underground haul truck at its St Ives mine in Western Australia, with contractor Byrnecut providing operational support. The test follows earlier battery‑electric loader trials and diesel‑electric pilots with Caterpillar and Epiroc,...
Trafo Delivers Custom Mini Substations to Power Zambian Underground Copper Mine
Trafo Power Solutions secured an order for seventeen custom mini substations to power an underground copper mine in Zambia. The units, comprising 800 kVA and 1,000 kVA dry‑type transformer packages, were engineered to fit the mine’s tight shaft‑cage dimensions and to be...
Aggreko on Energy Security for Mines in Africa & the Strengthening Case for Hybrid Power
Aggreko warns African mine operators that soaring diesel prices, driven by recent Brent crude spikes from $92 to over $113 per barrel, are inflating energy costs and exposing operations to fuel‑price volatility. The company advocates hybrid power—combining solar PV, battery...
Geothermal Engineering Tapping Watson-Marlow Peristaltic Pumps for Lithium Project
Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) has deployed Watson‑Marlow 630 and Qdos peristaltic pumps to dose acids, alkalis and transfer lithium brine at its United Downs geothermal‑lithium plant, which began commercial zero‑carbon lithium carbonate production in February 2026. The pumps provide precise,...
Liebherr’s R 9100 G8 Mining Excavator Heading for Series Production
Liebherr announced that its new 100‑ton R 9100 G8 mining excavator is now available for purchase and will enter series production in the June quarter for the backhoe version and September for the face shovel. Field validation at PT Madhani...
Metso to Provide Southern Peru Copper with VSF SX-EW Plants for Tia Maria Project
Metso has secured a €100 million ($115 million) contract with Southern Peru Copper to supply VSF® solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX‑EW) plants for the Tia Maria project in Arequipa, Peru. The plant will produce 120,000 tonnes per year of LME‑grade copper cathodes and is...
Paragon to Address BC Exploration Restrictions with Combined PhotonAssay, Veracio Lab Offering
Paragon Advanced Labs has launched a combined laboratory service in British Columbia that merges PhotonAssay’s rapid, non‑destructive gold analysis with Veracio’s high‑energy whole‑rock scanning. The integrated workflow delivers geochemical results in days rather than weeks, allowing exploration teams to adjust...
Atlantic Nickel Announces First Blast at Santa Rita Underground Mine Access Portal
Atlantic Nickel, together with Appian Capital Advisory, has kicked off underground development at Brazil's Santa Rita mine with an inaugural blast that opened the first access portal. The project, employing sublevel caving, targets an annual output of roughly 30,000 tonnes...
Antofagasta PLC – Copper Growth Delivery Going Hand in Hand with Innovation
Antofagasta PLC highlighted how its 2025 innovation program is driving copper growth and operational efficiency. Deployments include autonomous truck fleets at Centinela, AI‑powered SIRO platforms boosting SAG mill availability to 94.4% and recoveries, and a trolley‑assist trial with Komatsu and...
EACON’s Autonomy Deployed on 120 Battery-Electric Trucks at Zhundong Mine
EACON’s ORCASTRA® autonomous haulage system is now running on 120 Tonly TLE138 battery‑electric trucks at China’s Zhundong open‑pit coal mine, creating one of the world’s largest single‑site electric fleets. The trucks, each with a 90‑ton payload, have collectively logged more...
MacLean & Northern Construction Academy Form Partnership to Further Battery Grader Development
MacLean announced a partnership with Northern Construction Academy to field‑test its GR8 EV Surface Grader on NCA’s Sudbury training property during summer and fall 2026. The collaboration will validate the grader’s performance, duty cycles, and operator interaction, leveraging real‑world feedback...
EnviroGold Outlines Rapid Deployment Pathway for NVIRO Tailings Reprocessing Plan
EnviroGold Global unveiled its Rapid Deployment Pathway (RDP), a structured framework that moves tailings reprocessing projects from initial evaluation to commercial deployment faster than traditional mining routes. The RDP combines staged assessments, pilot testing, and industrial demonstrations to de‑risk projects...
Metso Sets Benchmark with Grate Kiln, Delivering Superior Iron Ore Pellet Quality for DR Processes
Metso introduced its Grate Kiln system, a next‑generation pelletising solution designed to meet the stringent demands of direct‑reduction iron (DRI) and low‑carbon steelmaking. The kiln combines rotary technology, independent grate‑kiln‑cooler control, and advanced combustion to deliver pellets with high cold‑crush...
Eldorado Gold Names G Mining as Preferred Engineering and Construction Partner to Enhance Project Delivery
Eldorado Gold Corp. signed a Memorandum of Understanding with G Mining Services to create a preferred engineering and construction partnership. The alliance will support Eldorado’s portfolio, including Perama Hill, the Lamaque Complex, Skouries, Olympias, and McIlvenna Bay projects. G Mining...
Hexagon Vehicle Intervention System ‘First & only’ Open-Pit Level 9 Solution to Pass UP Safety Test
Hexagon announced that its latest Vehicle Intervention System (VIS) became the first open-pit Level 9 solution to pass the University of Pretoria’s TRL‑4 Collision Prevention System test. Level 9 represents full automatic intervention, where the system can slow or stop equipment if...
Datamine Strengthens Mine Management Software, Consulting Capabilities with Mineware Buys
Datamine announced the acquisition of Mineware Africa and Mineware Consulting, adding the Syncromine Core platform and a suite of specialized modules to its portfolio. The cloud‑native, web‑based system unifies production, planning, safety, HR and equipment control, delivering real‑time visibility across...
From Discovery to Decisions: Data, AI and the Future of Mining
BHP’s digital chief Mikko Tepponen says mining faces declining discovery rates, deeper ore bodies and heightened safety, sustainability and efficiency expectations. To meet these pressures, BHP is standardising decades‑long geological and operational data on a Central Data Platform and deploying...
Sandvik Receives AutoMine Orders From Byrnecut for Five Underground Mine Sites
Sandvik announced five new AutoMine orders from Byrnecut, covering four Australian mines and Namibia's Navachab site. The contracts include AutoMine Multi‑Lite systems, allowing a single operator to remotely control up to three loaders. Byrnecut now runs AutoMine on the majority...
3ME Achieves Major Milestone with IECEx Certification for BladeVOLT Battery System
Australian specialist 3ME Technology has secured IECEx hazardous‑area certification for its BladeVOLT battery system, a milestone after eight years of engineering and testing. The certification, based on IEC 60079 standards, validates the system’s ability to operate safely in explosive underground...
Rio Tinto Secures Power Deal to Keep Boyne Aluminium Smelter Lights On
Rio Tinto, the Queensland and Commonwealth governments have sealed a A$2 bn ($1.4 bn) partnership to guarantee power for the Boyne aluminium smelter through 2040, extending its competitive edge beyond the current contract that expires in 2029. The deal builds on Rio...
New Cat® 6040 Mining Shovel to Help Mining Operations Improve Productivity & Efficiency
Caterpillar unveiled the next‑generation Cat 6040, a 400‑ton class hydraulic mining shovel designed to boost material movement while curbing fuel use and downtime. The machine pairs twin 1,550 kW Cat C32B engines with a variable‑flow hydraulic system that delivers up to 15%...
Fenner Conveyors Takes Major Circularity Step with Launch of INFINITYSERIES Recycled-Content Belts
Fenner Conveyors, a Michelin Group subsidiary, launched the INFINITYSERIES, a new conveyor‑belt line that incorporates 10% locally sourced recycled material. Unveiled at the K‑MIX Material Innovation Hub, the belts target heavy‑industry applications such as mining, ports, processing and agriculture while...
Ghana’s Mining Contractor & Owner Operator E&P to Invest US$1.2 Billion at Tarkwa and Damang
Ghanaian contract mining firm Engineers & Planners (E&P) announced a $1.2 billion investment to expand its operations at Gold Fields’ Tarkwa and Damang gold mines. The plan includes deploying 30 Caterpillar 785D haul trucks and builds on a prior $650 million outlay...
Caterpillar and Fortescue Extend Command for Hauling Agreement for Western Australia Mines
Caterpillar has renewed its MineStar Command agreement with Fortescue’s Chichester Metals and FMG Solomon to supply and operate autonomous haulage software at three Western Australian mines. The extension continues a decade‑long deployment that began in 2012, reinforcing safety, reliability and...
Volvo FH Autonomous Truck Fleet Now Hauling All Production for Brønnøy Kalk
Volvo Autonomous Solutions has expanded its Autona/earth platform at Norway's Brønnøy Kalk limestone mine to run three shifts, allowing a fleet of nine Volvo FH autonomous trucks to handle the entire five‑kilometre haul route around the clock. The trucks, equipped...
Epiroc Ground Support and Master Builders Solutions to Advance Next-Generation Chemical Solutions for Mining
Swedish equipment maker Epiroc Ground Support has partnered with chemical specialist Master Builders Solutions to co‑develop next‑generation mining chemicals. The collaboration’s first product, BoltX‑P, is a thixotropic resin that promises greater durability, improved sustainability and faster supply response. By combining...
Cementation Africa to Equip Mindola Shaft for the Future of Nkana Mine
Cementation Africa is upgrading Mopani Copper Mines' Mindola shaft in Zambia to extend the life of the Nkana mine. The project involves installing a permanent headgear, new winders, and an overland conveyor, followed by a 3D scan to correct shaft...
Macmahon Prepping for Mount Carlton Gold Mine Restart as Part of Wolfram LoI
Macmahon Holdings has signed a Letter of Intent with Wolfram Limited, a Bumi Resources subsidiary, to restart the Mount Carlton Gold Mine in north Queensland. The scope covers surface and underground mining as well as civil infrastructure services, with an...
Echion Technologies and GUS Unveil Launch of XNO® Battery Products at Battery Japan
Echion Technologies and GUS Technology announced the commercial launch of XNO® fast‑charging, high‑power battery products at Battery Japan. The cells, produced at GUS’s Zhongli plant in Taiwan, can reach 80% state‑of‑charge in five minutes, operate at –30 °C, and retain over...
SANY Signs Major Electrified Fleet Deal with Holcim Including 20 Autonomous Mining Trucks
SANY Group and Holcim have signed a Letter of Intent worth 100 million CHF to roll out electrified construction equipment over the next five years. The deal includes delivery of 100 electric units and deployment of 20 autonomous mining trucks across...
Epiroc African Order for Auto Cable-Electric Drills Adds to Good Year for Electric & Autonomous Fleets
Epiroc secured a SEK380 million (US$40.7 million) order for autonomous, cable‑electric Pit Viper 275 E blasthole drill rigs destined for African surface mines. The rigs, fully driverless and zero‑emission, will be delivered through the end of 2027, reinforcing Epiroc’s push toward electrified, automated fleets....
Jameson Cell Powers Valterra Platinum’s Low Mass Pull Strategy at Mogalakwena North
Glencore Technology’s Jameson Cell is now fully commissioned at Valterra Platinum’s Mogalakwena North Concentrator, enabling the mine’s low‑mass‑pull strategy. The new cells have cut concentrate volumes by 14% while boosting grade by 16%, delivering a 21% reduction in material handling...
BQE Water and Nuvumiut Development to Operate Water Treatment Plants at Nunavik Nickel
BQE Water Inc. and Inuit‑owned Nuvumiut Development have secured a three‑year agreement with Canadian Royalties Inc. to operate five seasonal mine‑water treatment plants at the Nunavik Nickel Project. The joint venture, registered with Makivvik corporation, will run the systems from...
Boliden Commits to New Hoist System at Garpenberg Which Will Facilitate Switch to Electric Hauling
Boliden announced a SEK 4 billion investment in a new 1,700‑metre hoist system at its Garpenberg Zn‑Pb‑Cu‑Ag‑Au mine, targeting a 4.5 Mt per year production rate and enabling a shift from diesel to electric haulage by the early 2030s. A parallel SEK 1.5 billion commitment will fund...
Turner Mining Group Begins Long Term Phosphate Mine Services and Ore Haul Contract with Bayer
Turner Mining Group has taken over as the sole mining contractor for Bayer’s P4 Production phosphate operations in Soda Springs, Idaho, beginning January 5, 2026. The company deployed a purpose‑built Caterpillar fleet—including the industry’s first front‑shovel Cat 6020, eight Cat...
Mariana Says Copper One Set to Be World Pioneer Autonomy-First Mine and Refinery
Mariana Minerals announced that its Copper One site in Utah will become the world’s first autonomy‑first copper mine and refinery. The company will roll out its MarianaOS platform—combining MineOS, PlantOS and CapitalProjectOS—to automate mining, processing and capital project execution, targeting...
Glencore-Owned Raglan Achieves Autonomous Haulage Milestone at Anuri
Raglan Mine, owned by Glencore, marked a milestone when its first autonomous haul truck successfully discharged ore at the Anuri underground operation in Quebec. The unload was executed from a remote control centre 14 km away using Sandvik’s AutoMine® platform, which...
BluVein Dynamic Charging Testing Moves up a Gear
BluVein has launched testing of its fourth‑generation dynamic charging system at Heidelberg Materials' Wolffdene bluestone quarry, fitting a retrofitted Epiroc MT42 Minetruck with the Hammer rail‑collector. After surviving extreme‑condition electrical tests at Germany's KEMA Labs, the system now undergoes six...
FLS Announces JV in Uzbekistan, Underpinning Its Strategic Focus on Central Asian Mining
FLSmidth announced a joint venture with Uzbek industrial group Texnopark to build a modular service centre in Uzbekistan. The centre will initially support Almalyk MMC’s MOF‑4 copper‑gold‑molybdenum concentrator and later expand as new mines come online. By locating service, spare‑parts...
Volvo CE Closing Rokbak ADT Business with Motherwell Factory to Focus on Rigid Haulers
Volvo Construction Equipment announced it will close the Rokbak articulated hauler business, with production ending in the second half of 2026. The decision follows unsustainable profitability driven by rising operational costs, supply‑chain constraints and U.S. tariffs. Volvo will shift resources...
BHP Submits EIA Application for New Escondida Concentrator
BHP has lodged an Environmental Impact Assessment for a new copper concentrator at Chile’s Escondida mine, targeting a $4.4‑$5.9 billion upgrade that will replace the aging Los Colorados plant. The facility is designed to sustain a total processing capacity of 460,000...