Glencore has placed a US$250 million order with Finning’s South America business to supply more than 20 large Caterpillar mining trucks, ancillary equipment and technology support for the planned 2026 restart of the Alumbrera copper mine in Argentina. The package, disclosed in Finning’s Q1 2026 results, centres on fleet renewal and digital support rather than life-extension of legacy units. For mine planners and maintenance teams, the scale and timing signal a shift towards a modernised, OEM-supported truck fleet ahead of full production ramp-up.

LoopX has signed a three‑year R&D partnership with Vale Base Metals to develop and validate “Physical AI” systems for underground operations, targeting intelligent and autonomous mining fleets. CEO and founder Chao Yu says the work will focus on AI-powered control that can directly interact with physical mining environments, aiming to improve safety and productivity in confined headings and dynamic stopes. For engineers, the deal signals accelerated testing of autonomy algorithms, sensing suites and decision systems in real production drifts rather than only in lab or surface testbeds.

Passive dust control retrofits for belt conveyor transfer points are being promoted by Martin Engineering, focusing on sealing the chute enclosure and managing internal airflow so fine particles settle back onto the material stream instead of escaping. The approach relies on properly designed skirting, wear liners and curtain arrangements rather than powered extraction, aiming to reduce spillage, respirable dust and housekeeping demands around loading zones. For brownfield mines, the concept offers a low-energy alternative to baghouses and ducting, but depends heavily on tight sealing and accurate control of entry and exit air paths.

Mesabi Metallics has begun iron ore mining in Minnesota using a new cable-electric Komatsu PC7000-11 hydraulic excavator, which on 23 July loaded a 400-short ton Komatsu 980E-5 haul truck, according to dealer Road Machinery & Supplies. The PC7000-11, typically a 650–700 t class machine with a 36–40 m³ bucket, is among the first cable-electric hydraulic excavators deployed at a US mine, where electric rope shovels have been more common. The move signals growing interest in high-capacity electric loading fleets for large open pits.

EPC Mineex Sénégal, a subsidiary of EPC Groupe, has secured a €23 million, three-year explosives and blasting services contract with Boto SA for the Boto gold mine in Senegal. The deal includes deployment of two Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Units (MEMUs) on site and the integrated supply of bulk explosives and associated blasting services. For mine planners and geotechnical teams, on-site MEMUs should enable tighter control of powder factors, blast timing, and fragmentation to support consistent ore feed and wall stability management.

Coates has expanded its engineered dewatering capability with a new fleet of electric BBA Pumps, including PT200 D265 (8″/200mm), PT150 D185 (6″/150mm) and PT100 D130 (4″/100mm) units for urban construction sites. The electric configuration targets groundwater control on projects from small residential excavations to complex basements, water assets and civil infrastructure in dense urban areas where diesel emissions, noise and access constraints are critical. For geotechnical and civil contractors, the range allows closer-to-face installation and longer runtimes on grid power, simplifying dewatering design and temporary works planning.

EcoVadis has awarded MKM Building Supplies a Gold medal, placing the independent merchant in the top 5% of 150,000 companies assessed worldwide for environmental, ethical, labour and human rights, and sustainable procurement performance. Key measures include opening its first two BREEAM Excellent certified branches in Cheltenham and Wolverhampton, rolling out electric forklift trucks across the network, and tightening supplier requirements via a strengthened Code of Conduct. For specifiers and contractors, MKM is also widening access to renewable heating technologies, energy‑efficient products and lower‑carbon construction solutions aligned with evolving UK building regulations.

MaxMine has launched Pulse, a fleet management system that combines business intelligence with AI-powered decision support to optimise productivity, cut haulage variability and lower cost per tonne in mixed-fleet open-pit operations. The platform ingests trusted operational data from disparate OEM fleets and sensors, then delivers real-time insights for dispatchers and supervisors to adjust payloads, cycle times and queue management on shift. For engineers, the key shift is from siloed FMS and telemetry feeds to a single decision layer aimed at tighter control of short-interval planning and execution.

Volvo Construction Equipment’s new K Series wheel loaders are engineered to reduce variability in operator performance and fuel burn by tightly integrating machine controls with the operator interface. Features such as refined load-sensing hydraulics, updated transmission control and in-cab assist systems aim to deliver consistent cycle times and repeatable bucket fill factors across shifts. For mines pairing loaders with articulated haulers like the Volvo L150 and A30, the focus is on more predictable loading patterns, lower specific fuel consumption and tighter control of unit operating costs.

Dowdens Group is leveraging global partnerships to deploy technologies such as the MudWizard sludge treatment system across Queensland mine sites, targeting more efficient sludge handling and water recovery in dewatering circuits. The company integrates pumping, water treatment, industrial products and pneumatic equipment with on-site engineering and field services to customise solutions for specific pit, plant and tailings conditions. For operators, the approach aims to cut manual sludge handling, reduce water losses from sumps and clarifiers, and stabilise process water quality for both production and environmental compliance.

Specialised Roading Equipment is rolling out redesigned bitumen sprayers with remote-controlled spray bars, enclosed operator platforms and automated calibration to cut exposure to hot binders and live traffic. The New Zealand-based manufacturer is also running on-site training on safe spraying windows, nozzle selection and pressure–temperature control to reduce overspray and fume risk on high-speed corridors. For road contractors, the shift towards automation and operator separation has direct implications for traffic management layouts, plant selection and compliance with evolving spray seal safety standards.

QME 2026 in Mackay drew thousands of mining professionals over three days, confirming its status as Australia’s largest regional mining event and focusing on digital transformation, automation and international capital flows. Conference sessions examined autonomous haulage and drilling systems, AI‑driven fleet optimisation and remote operations centres, alongside discussions on foreign investment frameworks for Queensland coal and critical minerals. For engineers and operators, the event signalled accelerating deployment of automation in brownfield pits and a sharper investor lens on decarbonisation, productivity metrics and project risk.

Mariana Minerals is deploying Boston Dynamics’ Spot quadruped robot at its Copper One copper operation in Utah to automate routine field inspections and high-frequency data capture in active mining areas. Mining Autonomy Lead Lukas Fahle is pursuing a “software first” approach, integrating Spot with existing sensor platforms and in-house analytics rather than treating it as a standalone hardware solution. The move points to greater use of mobile robotic carriers for condition monitoring, particularly for repeat LiDAR, gas, vibration or thermal surveys in higher-risk zones.

SANY has launched the SKT145Ei, a 90 t-class cabless, battery-electric, autonomous wide-body mining truck at its Global Mining Key Customer Summit in Xi’an in May 2026, targeting large open-pit haulage in China’s rapidly electrifying fleets. The cabless design removes the operator compartment entirely, optimising space for battery packs and simplifying structural layout for autonomous operation. For mine planners and geotechnical teams, the platform implies tighter haul road design around consistent vehicle envelopes and greater reliance on high-precision guidance for berm clearances and dump-point control.

Kilmac has standardised its survey operations on Trimble, buying six SPS720 total stations, six R780 GNSS rovers and six TSC710 data collectors with Siteworks from Sitech to complement its existing on-machine systems. The fully connected Trimble Civil Construction Technology ecosystem, managed through Trimble Business Centre and Works Manager, links office, field and plant for precision earthmoving and reduced rework on multi-phase civils and groundworks. The setup is already deployed on the £76m Clackmannanshire Wellbeing Hub and Lochies school project in Scotland, due to complete in late 2027.

Atlas Copco has updated its ECO Controller energy management system to improve the efficiency of job site battery energy storage systems when operating in hybrid setups. The controller now integrates with third-party generator controllers from DSE, CAT, Cummins, and ComAp, allowing coordinated load sharing and automated start/stop strategies. For temporary power on construction and infrastructure sites, this enables smaller generator sizing, reduced idling, and better utilisation of battery capacity without locking contractors into a single OEM.

National Pile Croppers has launched the PC 400, a hydraulic cropper designed specifically for 300–400 mm pre-cast piles with four or more reinforcing bars, extending its range beyond traditional cast-in-place applications. The unit has already been deployed by Careys on a Holcim project, giving early site validation of its performance on heavily reinforced pre-cast sections. For contractors, the tool targets faster, more controlled pile head trimming on standard pre-cast sizes, reducing manual breaking and potential damage to reinforcement.

Northern Ireland manufacturer Screencore has appointed RME Solutions as exclusive distributor for its full range of mobile screens and crushers, plus spare parts, across France. RME, led by managing director Benoît Roglet, will provide nationwide after-sales coverage, including service, maintenance and customer support for quarrying, recycling platforms, demolition sites and public works. The Screencore line will be integrated with RME’s existing sorting, grinding, sieving and cleaning equipment portfolio, giving French operators a single supplier for complete materials preparation circuits.

MaxMine is moving into mining fleet management, adding business intelligence and AI-driven decision support on top of its existing operational data platform to target lower cost per tonne and reduced productivity variability. The new tools are aimed at mine operators wanting a single system that fuses high-frequency machine data with real-time analytics to guide shift-by-shift decisions on haulage, loading and equipment utilisation. For engineers, the shift means potential integration of fleet dispatch, production reporting and performance diagnostics within one data environment rather than multiple siloed systems.

Atlas Copco E‑Air V1100 electric compressors are being deployed by Mexico-based manganese producer Autlán to supply the high‑speed air jets that drive its automated ore sorting line, where split‑second bursts separate high‑grade ore from waste rock. The V1100 units are engineered for rapid load response and tightly controlled discharge pressure, critical to maintaining consistent jet timing and throw distance across multiple nozzles. For process engineers, the move signals growing reliance on electrically driven, precision air systems to stabilise sensor‑based sorting performance in high‑throughput manganese operations.

Finning has completed a certified rebuild of a 2011 Cat D6T dozer for waste operator Enovert, stripping the 9,511‑hour machine to chassis and renewing the powertrain and hydraulics at its Cannock rebuild, repair and response centre. The work combined new and remanufactured components, including engine, transmission, torque converter, final drives, hydraulic pumps and motors, cylinders, hoses, main control valve, hydraulic tank, undercarriage, cab and wiring harness, plus full repaint. The dozer returns to landfill duty with a five‑year/8,000‑hour powertrain and hydraulics warranty, extending asset life at lower capex than a new unit.

SurveyX (UK), a Yorkshire-based start up led by project manager Joe Walshaw with over 30 years’ survey and ground engineering experience, is launching a suite of underground investigation services for tunnels, utilities and drainage networks. The firm will combine topographical surveys, ground penetrating radar, utility tracing, CCTV inspections and 3D building scanning to capture precise spatial data, structural details and defect locations for repair or future use. SurveyX has already secured contracts in Kent and is targeting UK-wide coverage within two years, leveraging AI- and internet-enabled workflows to accelerate ground exploration and design planning.

Smulders will fit Palfinger PF 160-5m marine davit cranes to 64 turbines under construction for ScottishPower Renewables’ 960 MW East Anglia Two offshore wind farm off the Suffolk coast, to handle materials and support maintenance on turbine platforms. The fabricator has already ordered 96 identical units for the adjacent East Anglia Three project, with the two farms together expected to power about 2.25 million homes. For offshore contractors, standardising crane types across both sites should simplify lifting procedures, spares, and lifecycle service planning.

ProTX has launched the Arresta 100, claimed as the world’s first vehicle arrestor purpose-built for temporary static works, targeting the “missing middle” between cones/signs and full concrete barriers on short-duration sites. Designed for rapid deployment and removal around low-speed lane closures and shoulder works, the modular system is intended to physically stop errant vehicles rather than merely deflect them, addressing around 800 annual roadwork site crashes in Australia, including 18 fatalities and 245 serious injuries.

Dowdens Group is using QME 2026 in Mackay to showcase integrated fluid handling and water treatment systems for mining, spanning high-duty pumping packages, modular treatment plants and pneumatic equipment tailored to remote Queensland sites. The AxFlow-owned business is emphasising site-specific engineering through Dowdens Pumping & Water and associated service units, targeting dewatering, process water, dust suppression and wastewater reuse. For mine operators, the offer centres on packaged, maintainable systems with local fabrication, on-site commissioning and lifecycle support rather than standalone pump supply.

Nth Cycle will go public via a merger with SPAC Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. VI (NYSE: KCAC), valuing the critical minerals refiner at $585 million and targeting up to $330 million in gross proceeds from Kensington’s trust and a common stock PIPE. The combined entity, Nth Cycle Holdings, Inc., will trade on the NYSE under ticker “NTH” and scale its modular ‘Oyster’ electro-extraction units, which selectively recover nickel, cobalt, rare earths, copper and other battery metals from scrap, end-of-life batteries and mined rock. A previously signed 10-year, approximately $1.1 billion offtake agreement with Trafigura underpins commercial deployment.

Rajant Corporation and Epiroc Mexico have formed a strategic partnership to supply deployment-ready Kinetic Mesh® wireless networks integrated with Epiroc mining equipment across large open-pit operations in Mexico. The collaboration targets more reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity for mobile fleets, drilling rigs and autonomous or teleremote systems, with scope to extend the solution into Epiroc’s global mining portfolio. For engineers, this signals tighter coupling between OEM equipment and mine-wide mesh backbones, simplifying brownfield network upgrades and supporting higher data rates for real-time monitoring and control.

Komatsu Indonesia has launched the HW70 wide body mining truck in partnership with dealer United Tractors, targeting markets such as Brazil, South Africa, Central Asia and Indonesia where wide bodies are displacing smaller rigid trucks and ADTs on cost. The HW70 is positioned as a lower-CAPEX haul option with simplified maintenance and compatibility with proven new-energy powertrains, rather than experimental systems. For mine planners and contractors, the move signals wider OEM backing for wide body fleets on short- to medium-haul routes and overburden stripping.

Applied Intuition has launched Dana, an agentic platform for building, testing, deploying and operating physical AI systems, targeting applications such as autonomous haulage, drilling automation and robotic inspection in mines. The platform combines agentic AI with the company’s existing simulation, scenario generation and validation toolchain, allowing developers to iterate control policies and perception models in software before field deployment. For mine operators and OEMs, Dana is positioned to shorten integration cycles between virtual testing and on-site commissioning of AI-enabled mobile equipment and fixed-plant robotics.

Wesfarmers and SQM have jointly approved a final investment decision to expand the Mt Holland lithium project in Western Australia, adding a new integrated ore sorting facility alongside the existing mine and concentrator. The project, operated by Covalent Lithium, will double spodumene concentrate output and is expected to materially reduce unit operating costs while accelerating cash flow from the operation. For mine planners and process engineers, the key change is the upstream ore sorting step, which should improve feed grade and reduce downstream milling and flotation load.

AtkinsRéalis’s offsite arm EDAROTH has delivered 12 social and affordable homes for Raven Housing Trust in Epsom using a precision-engineered system with up to 65% of materials produced in a Bradford factory, above the UK government’s 55% offsite threshold. The units, manufactured across four sites and assembled onsite, are designed for net zero operational performance, to exceed emerging Future Homes Standards and to be independently assured for 100‑year-plus service life. EDAROTH positions the industrialised, digitally designed model as scalable, repeatable housing infrastructure aimed at de-risking programmes and attracting long-term investment.

Komatsu is running a full-scale proof-of-concept of its MC51 hard-rock continuous miner at Niobec’s underground niobium operation in Québec, using the DynaCut mechanical cutting system instead of drill-and-blast. The MC51 integrates continuous mechanical excavation with precise profiling to reduce overbreak, improve ground control and cut energy use per tonne, while enabling more consistent tunnel cross-sections for services and ventilation. For engineers, the trial will provide real production, wear and fragmentation data to benchmark mechanical cutting against conventional development in competent hard rock.

VDI is showcasing Yutong’s mine-spec electric and diesel personnel buses at QME 2026 in Mackay, including free test drives of the C12 demonstrator across all three days. The C12 is configured for mining shuttle duty, with high-capacity seating and heavy-duty suspension suited to Bowen Basin and Pilbara haul roads, and is offered in both battery-electric and conventional diesel variants. For site operators, the display gives a direct comparison of zero-emission battery systems against established diesel platforms for crew transport logistics and maintenance planning.

CAPS Australia is promoting mine-spec compressed air and power generation systems at QME 2026, drawing on more than 45 years’ experience and a national network of 10 branches to support remote and harsh mining environments. The company engineers customised compressor and generator packages in-house, with mine-duty features such as heavy filtration, high-dust cooling systems and robust enclosures tailored to Australian pit and plant conditions. For site engineers, the pitch centres on reliability, reduced unplanned downtime and locally supported maintenance regimes for critical air and power infrastructure.

Workday has released Workday Learning, powered by Sana, an AI-native training platform that combines Workday’s existing HR and skills datasets with Sana’s generative tools to personalise learning pathways for mining workforces. The system can auto-generate course content, assessments and microlearning from existing policies, SOPs and technical documents, while tracking role-specific competencies such as equipment operation, safety procedures and regulatory compliance. For mine operators, this offers a way to standardise training across sites, shorten onboarding and keep skills matrices current without manual content development.

Electronics recycler ERI and rare earths specialist Cyclic Materials are partnering to build “one of the largest rare earth recovery ecosystems in the US”, combining ERI’s eight US recycling centres and more than one million pounds per day of e‑waste throughput with Cyclic’s magnet-focused recovery and refining technologies. Feedstock will be routed mainly to Cyclic’s Arizona facility, which can process up to 25,000 tonnes of end‑of‑life components annually, and to a new McBee, South Carolina campus designed for 2,000 tonnes of magnet material per year, expandable to 6,000 tonnes. The collaboration targets domestic recovery of rare earths plus copper and aluminium, and includes joint bids on commercial and government RFPs for circular critical‑materials supply chains.

Movie producer and Penske Media co-founder Lee Caplin has joined NovaRed Mining’s advisory board to steer commercialisation and IP strategy for its MetalCore AI platform, which applies artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and predictive analytics to more than 4.1 million geological records to generate exploration targets. The move follows the contentious appointment of former US Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem, which prompted retired Navy commander Phil Ehr to resign from the board. NovaRed is positioning MetalCore AI as a second business pillar alongside its Wilmac copper-gold and Lamont Ridge projects in southern British Columbia, with shares closing at C60¢ for a C$23.4 million valuation.

Hitachi Construction Machinery is deploying a second ultra-class mining fleet at Capstone Copper’s Mantoverde operation in Chile, expanding on its existing autonomous-ready haul truck and EX-series hydraulic excavator fleet already working in the open pit. The new fleet will be supported by the recently announced Hitachi Construction Machinery Latin America SpA, headquartered in Santiago from 1 April 2025, which will manage regional sales, parts and lifecycle services. For mine operators, this signals deeper OEM presence in-country, shorter support chains and a stronger platform for future autonomy and remote operations in Chilean copper pits.

Yancoal’s Mount Thorley Warkworth mine in New South Wales is deploying a new fleet of Cat 794 AC electric-drive haul trucks, selected against its four priorities of productivity, reliability, sustainability and long-term community wellbeing. The 291‑t class 794 AC units use electric wheel motors and high‑efficiency alternators in place of mechanical drive trains, targeting lower fuel burn and reduced maintenance on steep Hunter Valley haul profiles. For mine planners and maintenance teams, the shift to electric drive affects ramp design, speed profiles, and component life modelling across the truck–shovel system.

Mill relining systems OEM RUSSELL MINERAL EQUIPMENT has completed the final milestone of its transitional sale agreement with Resource Capital Funds, bringing Singapore-based industrial and technology investor Novo Tellus onto the share register. The deal, signed on 16 November 2024, secures new growth capital for RME’s specialised mill relining machines and liner handling systems used on large SAG and ball mills worldwide. For mine operators, the move signals continued OEM backing for high-availability relining services and potential acceleration of automation and digital tooling across shutdown-critical mill maintenance.

Allison Homes has appointed Andrew Sparrow as head of enterprise architecture to align its technology stack with the full housebuilding lifecycle, from land and planning through build, sales and aftercare. With 25 years’ sector experience, including starting as a trainee programmer at David Wilson Homes, Sparrow will focus on integrating systems and data so all departments work from a single information source. The move signals a push to cut IT complexity and cost, reduce operational risk as the business scales, and standardise digital tools across project teams.

Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition 2026 has opened in Mackay, returning to the Mackay Showgrounds with its largest footprint yet, including an expanded 9000m² exhibition area. The three-day event brings together Queensland and national miners, OEMs and service providers to showcase new technology, with a strong focus on equipment, automation and decarbonisation solutions for coal and metalliferous operations. For engineers, QME offers direct access to suppliers, live demonstrations and technical discussions concentrated in a single regional hub.

JCB has formally launched its partnership with Adaptalift Group at the Australian dealer’s Truganina facility in Melbourne, following an April signing that made Adaptalift an authorised JCB distributor. The collaboration brings JCB’s earthmoving and materials handling range into Adaptalift’s national rental and fleet management network, which already services large civil and infrastructure contractors across Australia. For project teams, the tie-up should streamline access to JCB excavators, telehandlers and loaders through integrated hire, maintenance and parts support under Adaptalift’s existing asset management systems.

Heavy Diesel Group will use QME 2026 in Mackay to showcase its integrated mechanical, hydraulic, parts and heavy truck support model aimed at maximising uptime for Queensland mine fleets. The company combines field service for large mobile plant, on-site hydraulic cylinder and hose repair, and rapid parts supply through a single coordination point to cut response times when excavators, haul trucks or ancillary gear fail. For operators, the pitch is fewer hand-offs between contractors, clearer accountability, and faster recovery from unplanned stoppages that can cascade across load–haul–crusher circuits.

MyEasyAction will use QME 2026 to demonstrate a real-time asset tracking and enterprise architecture platform aimed at tightening operational control and accountability on mining sites. The system links field assets and workflows into a single digital environment to improve “digital discipline”, with live status visibility intended to reduce unplanned downtime and coordination gaps between mobile plant, fixed infrastructure and maintenance teams. For geotechnical and processing operations, the approach targets more reliable data capture across dispersed equipment, supporting traceable decisions on asset condition and utilisation.

JordProxa has been selected as technology and equipment partner for Lilac Solutions’ Phase 1 commercial lithium carbonate plant on Utah’s Great Salt Lake, which targets 5,000 t/y of battery-grade lithium carbonate using direct lithium extraction. The partnership covers the downstream conversion process, integrating JordProxa’s thermal and process equipment with Lilac’s ion-exchange DLE system. First lithium production is planned for 2028, signalling a move from pilot-scale brine processing to a full commercial facility in a chemically complex salt-lake environment.

Orica Digital Solutions has opened an Axis Mining Technology Technical Support & Service Centre in North Bay, Ontario, extending on-the-ground backing for its orebody intelligence systems to Canadian and wider North American mines. The facility will support deployment and maintenance of Axis downhole navigation and drillhole survey tools, improving turnaround for calibration, repairs and firmware updates that previously relied on distant service hubs. For geologists and drill and blast teams, closer support should reduce downtime on production and definition drilling and enable more consistent high-precision orebody data.

XCMG is pushing deeper into global mining fleets, with General Manager Zhai Kun and North America Mining Machinery Product Manager Tao Hong outlining expansion plans from CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 in Las Vegas. The company is targeting larger haul truck and hydraulic shovel classes and tailoring models for North American mine standards, including Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions packages and cold‑climate options. For operators, the message is more competition to established OEMs on ultra‑class equipment procurement, parts support, and localisation of control systems and telematics.

Liebherr-Australia has begun a new partnership with Gold Fields by delivering two R 9600s and one R 9400 hydraulic excavator to the Gruyere Gold Mine in Western Australia’s Yamarna Belt, with units arriving in May and June 2026. The ultra-class R 9600s, typically paired with 220–300 t haul trucks, and the R 9400, usually matched to 140–200 t trucks, signal a step-up in loading capacity for Gruyere’s open-pit fleet. Mine planners and maintenance teams will need to integrate Liebherr’s machine health monitoring and parts support into existing fleet management systems.

HEPI will use QME 2026 in Mackay to showcase integrated lifecycle solutions that combine its global engineering network with on-site support to extend equipment life and cut unplanned downtime for Bowen Basin mines. The company is focusing on reliability and total cost of ownership for heavy mobile and fixed plant, targeting higher uptime on critical assets such as haul trucks, excavators and processing equipment. For maintenance and asset managers, the pitch centres on engineered upgrades, condition-based maintenance and rebuild strategies to defer capex and stabilise operating costs.