Fortescue has installed its first production-series Fortescue Zero battery-electric power system into a Liebherr T 264, a 240 t class haul truck, at Liebherr’s mining equipment proving grounds near Newport News, Virginia. The integration of the full battery system into the diesel-designed T 264 chassis marks a key step towards OEM-agnostic retrofits of large mining trucks, enabling mine operators to trial high-capacity battery haulage on existing fleets. Engineers will now focus on duty-cycle validation, thermal management and charging interface performance under proving-ground conditions.

CRCHI’s first mining tunnel boring machine has begun underground cutting at NFCA’s Chambishi copper mine in Zambia’s Copperbelt, with initial rotation of the cutterhead starting on 13 May. Developed in Changsha, Hunan, by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation, the TBM marks the debut of a China-designed unit specifically for mining applications rather than civil tunnelling. For mine planners and geotechnical teams, successful performance at Chambishi could open wider use of TBMs for long ore drives and access tunnels in hard-rock African operations.

Testing of XCMG’s two super large battery electric prototypes for Fortescue – the XC9260BEWL wheel loader and XC9260BEWD wheel dozer – is continuing at the OEM’s Xuzhou proving grounds in China following their official unveiling in February 2026. The ultra-class units are undergoing performance and durability trials under load and duty cycles representative of Pilbara iron ore operations before being shipped to Western Australia. Results will inform battery pack configuration, thermal management and charging strategies for deployment in high-temperature, high-dust mine environments.

Dyno Nobel and TesMan have formed a strategic partnership to combine commercial explosives expertise with underground mining robotics and product development. The collaboration targets automation of hazardous tasks around charging, blasting and post-blast inspection in confined headings, aiming to keep personnel further from faces while maintaining or improving cycle times. For mine operators, the move signals more integrated blast systems where detonator timing, explosive loading and robotic deployment can be engineered as a single package rather than separate technologies.

RKX Rock Extraction is set to unveil an electric pulse rock-breaking system at Hillhead 2026, targeting operations where explosives are restricted or supply-constrained and hydraulic hammers are slow, noisy and maintenance-intensive. The Lisburn-based company’s technology uses high-voltage electrical pulses to fracture rock in situ, eliminating on-site explosive storage and reducing flyrock, vibration and dust. For mines and quarries facing tight vibration limits near infrastructure or communities, the method could open additional extraction zones and simplify permitting for selective breakage and scaling.

Pilar Gold Inc has selected Resemin and Sotreq as strategic equipment partners to supply a new underground fleet for the restart and modernisation of its PGDM gold mining complex in Brazil. The ordered package includes Resemin jumbo drills and production rigs, paired with TEMPUS-branded underground support equipment, to mechanise drilling and production across the mine’s ramp-accessed stopes. The deal signals a shift from legacy fleets towards standardised, OEM-supported rigs, with implications for ground support design, development advance rates and maintenance planning at PGDM.

Sandvik Mining has launched a significantly upgraded Toro LH208L low-profile loader for 1.8 m headroom operations, pairing a high payload-to-weight ratio with an improved powertrain and a new Stage V diesel engine for lower emissions. The redesign targets higher productivity and reduced cost-per-tonne in narrow, low-seam stopes where conventional 2 m-class LHDs struggle with clearance and manoeuvrability. Added safety and operator comfort features are aimed at better ergonomics and reduced exposure in constrained underground environments.

Doka’s Radius Top 50 timber-beam formwork has been used by TRS Formwork to construct a 12‑sided plinth with complex corbels and angles at SSE Renewables’ Lochay Hydro Power Station in Perthshire, which generates about 170GWh annually. A 3D-led design enabled Doka engineers to calculate precise radii and angles, develop a bespoke connecting plate for a WS10 formwork ring, and pre-assemble components off-site for final in situ adjustment to existing concrete. The approach cut cycle times to meet a 12‑week programme, improved material efficiency and kept the station operational during refurbishment.

MMD Australia is targeting rare earth element projects with its next-generation HYD Sizer, redesigned for variable ore hardness, higher moisture contents and tighter product size control than earlier MMD sizers. The unit incorporates hydraulic drive and modular tooth configurations to handle both soft overburden and abrasive rare earth-bearing ores in a single machine, reducing the need for multiple crushing stages. For geometallurgy and plant designers, the HYD Sizer’s adaptability to changing feed characteristics offers flexibility for deposits with complex mineralogy and fluctuating throughput.

Komatsu is backing HEXhire’s expansion across Victoria and South Australia as the hire company scales its earthmoving fleet to service major road and civil infrastructure programmes. Founded in 2013 as a predominantly wet hire provider, HEXhire has pivoted towards dry hire to supply larger volumes of excavators and ancillary plant for long-duration packages on multi-billion-dollar transport corridors. The partnership gives contractors faster access to late-model Komatsu machinery, supporting tighter programme delivery and more consistent machine performance on high-utilisation sites.

Sandvik’s battery-electric surface concept drill, which recently completed 17.5 km of drilling in 542 operating hours at Boliden’s Kevitsa open pit in Finland, is now heading for field trials at Lloyds Metals operations in India. The rig is designed for down-the-hole (DTH) production drilling with hole diameters up to 229 mm, targeting typical surface bench applications currently dominated by diesel units. For mine planners and maintenance teams, the trial will give real-world data on energy consumption, duty cycles and potential reductions in fuel logistics and local emissions.

Martin Engineering has acquired Australian conveyor specialist ConveyorTech Pty Ltd (CVT), adding CVT’s proprietary belt cleaners and conveyor components to its global bulk material handling portfolio. The deal significantly broadens Martin’s range of primary and secondary belt scrapers, wear liners and sealing systems for high-capacity mining and materials processing conveyors. For operators, the combined catalogue should simplify standardisation of conveyor hardware across sites and give more options to address carryback, spillage and dust control on long overland and plant conveyors.

Euro Mine Expo 2026 opens next week at Skellefteå Kraft Arena in northern Sweden, with a fully booked exhibitor floor and delegates expected from more than 40 countries. Organisers are positioning the exhibition area as a “leading arena for the green transition”, with suppliers showcasing low‑carbon mining equipment, electrified fleets and process optimisation technologies tailored to Nordic underground and open‑pit operations. For engineers, the event offers concentrated access to OEMs and technology developers working on decarbonised haulage, energy‑efficient comminution and digital monitoring of mine infrastructure.

XCMG has unveiled the XES55 ultra-class electric rope shovel at its International Customer Festival in Xuzhou, expanding its high-end open-pit mining line beyond the XES35 launched in 2023. Positioned for ultra-large surface mines, the XES55 targets pairing with 220–300 t class haul trucks and long-life benches, signalling China’s push to localise production of large-capacity electric shovels traditionally dominated by Western OEMs. For mine planners and owners, the new model introduces another domestic option for high-throughput truck–shovel fleets in Chinese and Belt and Road projects.

ABAX has launched ABAX Tachograph to bring 2.5–3.5‑tonne light commercial vehicles into compliance with the EU Mobility Package’s Smart Tachograph 2 (SMT2) rules taking effect on 1 July for international transport. The system integrates LCVs and existing HGVs on a single Smart Operations platform, adding automated tachograph data downloads, violation analysis and driver data management rather than a separate standalone unit. ABAX is targeting fleets facing the 2026 full compliance deadline, aiming to simplify cross‑border operations and reduce manual admin around drivers’ hours enforcement.

Liebherr is rolling out its expanded MyLiebherr Performance and MyLiebherr Maintenance digital services for earthmoving and material handling fleets in Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada and the USA, with six months’ free access. The maintenance module gives workshop managers a fleet-wide status overview with traffic light condition coding, cause-specific alerts (e.g. upcoming services, low fluid levels), machine-level service histories and geo-tracked locations to plan bundled interventions. The performance module tracks utilisation, idle hours, fuel consumption versus a global average, and weighing data, enabling group comparisons by machine type or operation to tighten scheduling and cut operating costs.

Simex has launched the D-Blade 200 floor saw, capable of cutting asphalt and concrete to 220mm depth for micro-trenching, fibre optic cable installation, and expansion joint creation. The unit is designed for wet cutting with segmented diamond blades, improving blade cooling, reducing wear, and limiting dust dispersion to maintain visibility and operator safety. Features include a quick blade replacement system, front direction indicator for line accuracy, and an opening front guard to enable true vertical cuts on asphalt, concrete, and compacted surfaces.

MaxMine has rolled out a production-grade machine learning system for load and dump classification across Australian mine fleets operated by Glencore, NRW Holdings and Macmahon, with the platform now running continuously for six months. The edge-deployed models automatically tag truck payload events in near real time, sharply cutting missed or misclassified loads and reducing manual data cleaning by site engineers. Early results point to tighter haulage cycle control and more reliable production reporting, giving dispatch and planning teams higher-confidence payload and cycle-time data.

Kirkwood Timber Frame has appointed Dundee-based Dyke McKenzie as business development manager, bringing more than 30 years’ experience with major construction and timber firms across housing, healthcare, education and student accommodation. The company manufactures custom-designed, precision-engineered timber frame systems and currently has capacity to supply frames for about 2,000 units per year to developers, contractors, housing associations and self-build clients. The hire signals a push to grow market share in Scotland’s offsite timber frame sector, where programme speed and thermal performance are key design drivers.

Sandvik has secured a further mining equipment order from Aris Mining to support the 100%-owned Segovia underground gold operations in Antioquia, Colombia, one of the highest-grade gold mines globally with a reserve grade of about 10.7 g/t Au. The additional Sandvik fleet is expected to be deployed into the narrow-vein, high-grade stopes typical of the historic Segovia district, where mechanisation levels and equipment reliability directly constrain production rates. For mine planners and maintenance teams, the deal signals continued investment in modern mobile equipment to sustain high-grade underground output.

Exploration-focused AI platform MinersAI is expanding into the Asia-Pacific region with a new headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, targeting one of the world’s most active mining innovation hubs. The company, which positions itself as a computational discovery partner for the global resources sector, has appointed Leon Morgan as Global Chief Revenue Officer to drive commercial growth from the Perth base. For exploration teams, the move signals increased local access to AI-driven target generation and data-integration services across Australian and broader APAC projects.

Collins Demolition has deployed the UK’s first Volvo EC500HR high reach excavator from SMT GB, replacing its EC380HR and immediately using the 28–32 m reach machine on a former council building demolition in Reading. The EC500HR is engineered for heavy tools up to around 2.8 t at height, with upgraded hydraulics, engine pump optimisation delivering up to 15% better fuel efficiency, and extended service intervals aimed at lowering whole-life impact. Volvo Demolition Assist, Smart View with obstacle detection, and enhanced night lighting support safer operation within the stability envelope on complex high-reach jobs.

Expressions of interest have opened through Slattery Auctions for heavy mining assets across Australia, including wheel loaders, dozers, dump trucks and a Tamrock Axera D7-240 boomer directional drill. The campaign is being coordinated nationally, with inspections organised via Slattery’s contact Richard Tucker (mobile 0477 477 906). Buyers of production-scale mobile plant and underground drilling equipment may find opportunities to expand or refurbish fleets without long OEM lead times.

Don Kyatt Spare Parts’ Terrain Tamer 4WD Parts brand has won the 2026 Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence in Export Award, recognising rapid international growth of its heavy‑duty driveline, filtration and suspension components for mining and off‑road fleets. The Melbourne-based supplier now exports Australian‑engineered parts for LandCruiser, Hilux and other high‑utilisation platforms into multiple mining regions, supporting standardisation of spares across mixed underground and surface operations. For site engineers, this signals stronger aftermarket support for remote operations seeking extended service intervals and reduced downtime on 4×4 light‑vehicle fleets.

GeoRedox Corporation and Canada Nickel have signed an MOU to develop the world’s first stimulated geologic hydrogen well at the Crawford nickel sulphide project near Timmins, Ontario, using GeoRedox’s proprietary process to generate zero‑carbon hydrogen from ultramafic rock. GeoRedox will fully fund the demonstration, while Canada Nickel provides site access, core samples and technical data across the Timmins Nickel District, where it holds over 20 ultramafic‑hosted projects. If successful, the pilot could supply large‑scale carbon‑free hydrogen and exploit in situ carbon storage capacity to support a zero‑carbon industrial cluster producing nickel, chromium and cobalt.

Nth Cycle has signed a joint development and licensing deal with Ionic Rare Earths (ASX: IXR) to integrate its modular electro-extraction technology into IonicRE’s rare earth recycling and refining operations, starting at the Belfast facility in Q4 2026. The partners aim to replace the conventional oxalic-acid-based precipitation step with Nth Cycle’s closed-loop, electricity-driven process to produce high-purity rare earth oxides from recycled swarf, creating a refining pathway that bypasses Chinese chemical supply. Nth Cycle’s platform, already applicable to nickel, cobalt and copper, follows a separate 10-year, $1.1 billion offtake agreement with Trafigura signed in March.

Boston Metal has raised $75 million, taking total funding above $500 million, to accelerate deployment of its Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) platform for emissions-free production of steel and critical metals. The capital will be used to scale MOE cells and associated high-temperature power electronics for commercial plants in the US and other regions, moving from pilot-scale units towards industrial modules. For mining and metallurgical projects, this signals growing investor backing for alternative smelting routes that can bypass coke-based blast furnaces and potentially alter future project flowsheets.

Decoda is expanding its haul road monitoring technology into Chile and Brazil through a partnership with TECWISE Latam, targeting large open-pit truck fleets in two of the world’s biggest mining markets. Early deployments have shown gains in truck availability, extended tyre life and higher haulage productivity by continuously assessing road condition and driving behaviour. For mine operators, the move offers a data-driven route to optimise haul road design, maintenance intervals and speed policies without major changes to existing truck fleets.

Epiroc is rolling out a global, integrated suite of digital mine planning tools that combines its recently acquired OreInventory solution with existing platforms such as Mobilaris Mining Intelligence and Underground Manager. The consolidated offering links long‑term planning, short‑interval control and real‑time production data, aiming to give engineers a single environment for blast design, scheduling, stockpile tracking and reconciliation. For operations teams, the move signals tighter integration between fleet data, geology models and inventory management, reducing manual data handling and improving the fidelity of mine‑to‑mill planning.

Bachy Soletanche and Kilnbridge have launched UrbanCore, a joint offering that combines piled foundations, basement construction and superstructure delivery into a single integrated package for commercial and basement‑led urban schemes. The model replaces traditional separate groundworks and frame contracts by aligning design, engineering, commercial and delivery teams from pre‑construction, with collective ownership from ground to structure. UrbanCore is targeting constrained city‑centre sites with tight access, sensitive neighbouring assets and complex sequencing, aiming to reduce interface clashes, programme slippage and cost uncertainty.

Munnelly Group has appointed former Heathrow and Wilson James executive Tom Emery as managing director of Weston Analytics to accelerate its technology, data and innovation strategy across construction logistics and project delivery. Emery, who has led large operational portfolios and digital transformation in aviation, transport, security and workforce operations, will build scalable digital and analytical tools to support faster operational decision-making and better use of site and programme data. CEO Paul David Munnelly said Weston Analytics is central to the group’s Target2030 plan and its role as a full project lifecycle delivery partner.

Advanced investigation methods such as cone penetration testing with pore pressure (CPTu), seismic CPT and high‑resolution pressuremeter testing are generating terabytes of geotechnical data per project, yet much of it remains locked in PDFs, spreadsheets and unstructured lab reports. Centralised, cloud-based platforms with AGS-compliant data models, API links to lab information management systems and automated validation rules are being promoted to standardise borehole, in situ and lab datasets across portfolios. For practitioners, the key gains are faster ground model iteration, more defensible design parameters and easier reuse of legacy site investigation data on brownfield schemes.

Advanced Magnet Lab has secured a US$2 million, two-year Defense Logistics Agency contract to qualify domestically produced high‑grade sintered NdFeB PM‑Wire magnets, including defence‑grade compositions such as N48SH and N35EH. The Florida firm will develop alloying, supply chain management and advanced manufacturing routes to scale permanent magnet production using its PM‑Wire process, which is designed to fit existing magnet‑making lines. AML is also progressing SmFeN, MnBi, anisotropic NdFeB and (Mischmetal‑Nd)FeB magnets, working with Phoenix Tailings, Ionic Rare Earths and Momentum to reduce critical rare earth content and improve material traceability.

SANY has unveiled its SKT145Ei electric unmanned wide body mining truck at the Global Mining Key Customer Summit in Xi’an, where more than 700 delegates signed equipment orders exceeding 5 billion yuan. The SKT145Ei combines a battery-electric drivetrain with autonomous haulage capability, targeting short- to medium-haul open-pit operations that currently rely on diesel wide body trucks. For mine planners and geotechnical teams, the shift to unmanned electric haulage tightens requirements on road geometry, berm design and traffic management to support consistent autonomous operation.

Heathrow Airport has named the winner of its early careers innovation competition, run in collaboration with New Civil Engineer to surface practical ideas from graduates and apprentices for future airport infrastructure. The initiative targets concepts that could be integrated into major airside and landside projects, such as terminal refurbishments, pavement upgrades and baggage system overhauls, where constructability, carbon reduction and passenger flow are critical. For consultants and contractors, the scheme signals Heathrow’s interest in trialling low‑carbon materials, modular construction and digital design workflows proposed by early-career engineers.

SSAB is investing SEK 3.3 billion over four years in a new quenching and tempering (Q&T) line at its Oxelösund plant to expand production of advanced wear and protection steels, including Hardox 500 Tuf and Armox grades. The Q&T line will be integrated within SSAB’s strategic capex programme and is intended to support higher volumes of ultra-high-strength plate for mining buckets, truck bodies and armour applications. For mine operators and OEMs, this signals increased availability of abrasion-resistant and ballistic-grade steels for lighter, longer-life equipment.

Safeguarding conveyor performance in mining and mineral processing, MATO Products sales engineer Keletso Mabula advocates comprehensive conveyor assessments focused on belt cleaners, carryback control and component wear. Proactive inspection of scraper alignment, blade tension, spillage patterns and chute loading conditions is positioned as essential to sustaining throughput and reducing unplanned stoppages on high‑tonnage overland and plant conveyors. The approach emphasises structured condition monitoring and timely maintenance interventions rather than reactive repairs once belt mistracking, excessive dust or material build-up have already escalated.

Recovering more metal from existing heap leach pads, rather than building new mines, is presented as mining’s fastest production gain amid IEA-forecast supply gaps of 30% for copper and 40% for lithium by 2035. Tom Claridge, sales manager for Mining North at Netafim North America, argues that uneven solution distribution caused by slope, rock size, line spacing and pressure inconsistencies creates persistent wet–dry zones and permanent metal loss. He points to precision irrigation systems with controlled pressure and flow, plus automated monitoring, as key to improving percolation, water use and predictability on large pads.

Komatsu UK has begun producing its new PC220 crawler excavator in Newcastle, with a 200-strong workforce including 21 apprentices, to supply European markets from a local manufacturing base. The PC220 is described as Komatsu’s most technologically advanced model, with production supported by precision scanning equipment in fabrication, laser-based systems in assembly, and new digital tools reflecting the machine’s increasingly software-driven control systems. Local build is intended to cut supply lead times and product mileage, reducing associated CO₂ emissions while anchouring skilled manufacturing jobs in the North East.

Galliford Try is powering a National Highways construction compound in Bootle entirely with a green hydrogen fuel cell generator, a first for the agency and used instead of grid power or diesel sets on the £7m A5036 Dunnings Bridge Road/Park Lane pedestrian crossing scheme. The system has supplied three site offices, welfare facilities (toilets, kitchen, drying room) and two EV charging points continuously since works began in November, with completion due by Friday 12 June. For contractors, the pilot shows a practical off‑grid option for temporary compounds where grid connections are constrained.

Meiteng’s ZhiMei Master large AI model for coal preparation was showcased at a CCPUA technical exchange in Jincheng on 24–25 April 2026, hosted with Jinneng Holding Equipment Manufacturing Group. Built on domain data from dense medium separation, flotation and dewatering circuits, the model targets intelligent control of product ash, yield and reagent dosage across complex coal washing plants. For process engineers, the move signals rapid deployment of plant-level AI optimisation in China’s large state-owned coal operations, with implications for retrofitting existing preparation facilities.

Costain has expanded its PPE and workwear range to include more inclusive sizing and fit options, aiming to better accommodate a diverse site workforce while maintaining compliance with existing safety standards. The updated offering also incorporates more sustainable materials and supply-chain practices, targeting reduced environmental impact across high-volume items such as helmets, hi-vis garments and safety footwear. For contractors and designers working with Costain, the move may influence project PPE specifications, procurement frameworks and site induction requirements.

XCMG all‑electric heavy‑duty trucks have completed trial runs on the 700 km haul route between Codelco’s Chuquicamata copper mine and the port of Mejillones in northern Chile with zero reported malfunctions. The route, crossing the western Andean foothills, tests traction, braking and battery performance under high-altitude gradients, long downhill sections and desert temperatures. Successful operation over this distance signals growing feasibility of battery-electric haulage for mine‑to‑port logistics, with implications for charging infrastructure design, duty‑cycle planning and fleet energy management.

Clean TeQ Water has secured a design-and-construct contract from Broken Hill Operations for an ATA® Tailings Dewatering Plant at the Rasp Mine in Broken Hill, New South Wales, supporting the site’s production ramp-up. The plant will apply Clean TeQ’s proprietary ATA® (Advanced Tailings Aggregation) technology to dewater tailings, enabling higher-density deposition and reduced reliance on conventional tailings storage. For geotechnical and processing teams, this signals a shift towards drier stacked or thickened tailings strategies at a long-established lead-zinc-silver operation.

Recticel has commissioned a PIR insulation recycling plant in Wevelgem, Belgium, designed to process up to 4,000 tonnes per year of post‑industrial PIR board offcuts and scrap into recycled polyol feedstock. The recovered polyol, used to manufacture new PIR boards, is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by 30–50% compared with virgin polyol, while reducing primary raw material demand. Boards incorporating the recycled content will be supplied from all Recticel plants, including UK facilities, giving specifiers a lower‑carbon option without changing product families.

Murphy has deployed a Sany SY215E electric excavator for United Utilities at the Davyhulme wastewater treatment works, its first use on a phosphorus‑reduction facility. The 21‑tonne class machine uses a cobalt‑free CATL Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, delivering up to eight hours of operation with roughly one hour of charging, enabling full‑shift use via overnight charging and cutting on-site noise. Performance is being benchmarked alongside diesel excavators during piling works to inform wider roll‑out of electric plant across the Davyhulme scheme.

ALLU Group has expanded its material processing bucket line-up with a new concrete screening and crushing attachment aimed at on-site recycling of construction and demolition waste. The unit combines screening and crushing in a single bucket, allowing excavators or loaders to process reinforced concrete, asphalt and rock without separate mobile crushers or screens. For mine and quarry operators, this can reduce haulage of oversize or waste material, cut reliance on fixed crushing circuits, and support backfilling or road-base production directly at the face.

Water scarcity and multi‑year permitting delays—often two to four years for discharge and dewatering approvals in the western US—are increasingly stalling otherwise bankable mines, with water risk now affecting project schedules, financing and national credit profiles. Consultants such as Woodard & Curran report that “credible water stories” are becoming as critical as ore grades, pushing operators towards closed‑loop recycling and non‑traditional sources. US firms Genesis Systems and Atoco are deploying atmospheric water generation units, including Genesis’ containerised WaterCube systems producing over 1,000 gallons per day off‑grid, now trialled at mine sites.

Trafo Power Solutions is supplying 13 dry-type transformers for modular e-houses at a remote Pakistani copper-gold project being developed on one of the world’s largest undeveloped deposits. The South Africa-based firm is working through an EPC contractor to build out the mine’s medium-voltage power distribution, using dry-type units suited to high dust loads and fire-risk constraints typical of arid, remote sites. For engineers, the move signals growing reliance on pre-assembled e-houses and low-maintenance transformer technology to accelerate large greenfield mine electrification.

Datamine has taken a strategic equity stake in Brisbane-based Commit Works, whose Fewzion and Visual Ops platforms are used for operational planning and short interval control in underground and open-pit mines. The deal links Datamine’s long-range and tactical planning tools with Commit Works’ shift-level scheduling and frontline execution, aiming to close the gap between weekly plans and 4–12 hour operating windows. For engineers, this signals tighter integration of mine design, production data and work management on a single digital stack.