The Woman Leading the World's Second-Largest Zinc Producer
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, leads the world’s second‑largest zinc producer through a blend of sustainability, growth, and gender‑focused initiatives. Under her stewardship, the company has set a 20% production increase target by 2027 and is expanding into battery‑grade zinc for electric‑vehicle batteries. Hebbar emphasizes robust ESG reporting and has boosted the proportion of women in its workforce. The interview with Mining Magazine highlights her strategic vision for long‑term value creation.
Gina Rinehart, Her Struggles and Successes
Gina Rinehart recounts turning a mortgaged, claim‑laden startup into the $10 billion Roy Hill iron‑ore megaproject, the fastest greenfield construction in northern Australia. She describes battling gender bias, legal hurdles and a revoked port‑rail corridor while relying on loyal backers to...
Develon Unveils Smart Excavators at CONExpo
Develon showcased its new line of smart excavators at CONExpo, the premier construction trade show in Las Vegas. The demonstration highlighted AI‑driven autonomy, real‑time sensor data, and a cloud‑connected fleet management system. Develon's machines claim up to 15% fuel savings...
The Talent Paradox
High‑tech mining has embraced automation, AI‑driven haulage and remote operation centres, yet firms struggle to recruit young engineers. Despite the sector’s digital transformation, a perception gap and limited exposure in STEM pipelines keep talent scarce. Universities lag in offering curricula...
Weekly Newsletter 26 February 2026
Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced its first major partnership in over a decade, teaming up with a leading AI‑driven drug discovery firm to co‑develop next‑generation therapies. The deal includes a $500 million upfront payment and shared milestones tied to clinical milestones. Simultaneously, the...
Fleet Space Delivers for Lundin Gold
Fleet Space Technologies supplied a satellite‑based IoT network to Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador, enabling the company to map previously undetectable, or “blind,” mineral systems. The real‑time data stream allowed more precise drilling, cutting exploration costs by...
Caterpillar Invests in Serbian LFP Battery Maker
Caterpillar announced a strategic investment in a Serbian lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery manufacturer, earmarking a multi‑million‑dollar stake to bolster its energy storage capabilities. The move secures a domestic source of LFP cells for Caterpillar’s heavy‑equipment line, reducing reliance on Chinese suppliers....
Imerys Halts British Lithium as Woodsmith Boosted by Anglo and Mitsubishi
French mining group Imerys announced that its British Lithium (IBL) project will be placed into “care and maintenance,” effectively pausing development. The decision comes as the UK seeks to build a domestic battery supply chain, and the move signals a...
Creating the 'Ecosystem of Worker and Machine' With 5G
The mining sector is moving toward fully autonomous operations, with 5G networks emerging as the backbone for real‑time worker‑machine collaboration. Newmont’s Cadia mine has deployed teleremote dozers that are controlled over a private 5G slice, delivering sub‑10 ms latency. Early performance...
Introducing Automation in One of the World's Most Demanding Mining Environments
PAMA has become the first open‑pit coal mine in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region to deploy full‑scale automation, integrating autonomous haul trucks, drill rigs and a remote‑operations centre. The rollout targets the mine’s most challenging terrain, from water‑logged tailings to steep embankments,...
Tribe Tech Bought Out of Administration
Australian mining equipment firm Wilxpro has acquired Northern Ireland‑based autonomous drill‑rig startup Tribe Tech out of administration. The deal values Tribe Tech at £160,000 plus the assumption of its existing debt. Tribe Tech, known for its TTDSGC7000 autonomous drilling system,...
