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Underground mining Industry insight Volume 118/8 | SEPTEMBER 2026

Industry events

Underground intelligence

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COMMENT

High grade, bigger picture The value of a discovery is not always measured by its grade, but by what it makes possible.

Prealene Khera Editor

here are some mining results that are notable because of what they add to a resource, then there are results that make you stop and consider what they could mean for the way an operation – or an entire sector – develops. Ramelius Resources’ latest drilling at its Dalgaranga gold project in Western Australia falls into the latter category. An intersection approaching 1000 grams per tonne gold is an extraordinary result by any measure, but its significance extends beyond the headline grade. What makes it particularly interesting is what it could mean for Ramelius’ strategy and, more broadly, the opportunities still available to Australia’s gold industry in 2026. The result comes from Never Never, a highgrade part of Dalgaranga that was central to Ramelius’ acquisition of Spartan Resources. Beyond adding ounces to Ramelius’ portfolio, the project is now being considered alongside the company’s existing Mt Magnet operation and processing infrastructure. That is more and more about finding ways to extract greater value from the resources, infrastructure and expertise already available. High-grade ore can play an important role in that equation. Material with significantly higher grades has the potential to improve the quality of ore being processed, displace lower-grade material in a mine plan and strengthen the economics of underground development. A high-grade discovery can therefore be valuable not just because there is more gold in the ground, but because it can change the way an operation uses the assets it already has. That is what makes the developments at Dalgaranga worth watching. Ramelius is looking at the project as part of an expanded Mt Magnet production hub, with Dalgaranga ore feeding into existing processing infrastructure.

Exploration is also identifying further highgrade opportunities across Dalgaranga, Mt Magnet and the Cue gold project. As the gold sector continues to consolidate around regional processing hubs, the ability to connect multiple ore sources to established infrastructure can become increasingly important. The future is not necessarily about building every mine as a standalone operation, but creating networks of deposits, mines and processing facilities that work together. Successful exploration can also extend mine lives, support new developments, improve the quality of future production and give established processing operations more options. Ramelius’ increased exploration investment and its identification of multiple high-grade targets demonstrate the potential for exploration to influence production well beyond the immediate drilling program. Those opportunities can change the game for a mature mining jurisdiction such as Australia. The challenge now is finding new ways to build on existing foundations and turn what is already known into the next generation of discoveries. Lucky for us, then, that high-grade results such as Ramelius’ latest intersection show that there is still plenty of ground to explore, and plenty of potential left to uncover.

Prealene Khera Editor

Chairman John Murphy

Ethan Benedicto ethan.benedicto@primecreative.com.au

Chief executive officer Christine Clancy

Jackson Haddad jackson.haddad@primecreative.com.au

Managing Editor Paul Hayes paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au

Client Success Manager Janine Clements 02 9439 7227 janine.clements@primecreative.com.au

Editor Prealene Khera prealene.khera@primecreative.com.au Journalists Engel Schmidl engelbert.schmidl@primecreative.com.au Mikaela Henschel mikaela.henschel@primecreative.com.au

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Ben Cartwright ben.cartwright@primecreative.com.au

AUSTRALIANMINING 3 SEPTEMBER 2026

Front cover

Komatsu is a global mining and equipment company providing machinery, technologies and services designed to help mining operations improve productivity, safety and sustainability. In underground hard rock mining, Komatsu supports customers across the mining cycle with a broad portfolio spanning shaft sinking, drilling, bolting, loading and haulage. Its underground range includes loadhaul-dump (LHD) machines, trucks, drills and bolters, supported by advanced technologies and a global dealer network. The acquisition of GHH has further expanded Komatsu’s underground capabilities, strengthening its position as a total solutions provider. Together, its equipment, expertise and support help operators reduce costs, improve production and address evolving environmental and safety challenges.

Rob O’Bryan 0411 067 795 robert.obryan@primecreative.com.au Art Director Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au Subscription Rates Australia (surface mail) $120.00 (incl GST) Overseas A$149.00 For subscriptions enquiries please contact 03 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Prime Creative Media 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands, Vic 3008 www.primecreative.com.au © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2016 All rights reserved. No part of the publication December be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

Printed by Brougham Press 865 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater VIC 3153 03 9873 5144 Published 11 issues a year Cover image: Komatsu

In this issue 08

Underground mining 8

The connected underground How technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping underground mining.

From reactive to predictive Komatsu is supporting mine operations to become future-proof with data-driven maintenance systems.

Queensland backs mining growth With new funding, exploration opportunities and government support, Queensland is seeking to attract investment and diversify its resources industry.

Electrification 54

The underground lifeline Innovative Wireless Technologies’ SENTINEL system keeps underground communications, tracking and critical data moving.

The electric equation With miners aiming to move towards electrification, the success of the transition will be determined by broader infrastructure assets that deliver power to operations across the country.

Industry events

Making every second count MST Global’s HELIX turns underground mine data into timely intelligence, helping operators respond faster.

Industry insight 26

Rio’s next iron ore chapter Australian Mining was on hand to hear Rio Tinto’s updated iron ore strategy that looks beyond the next decade.

Queensland mining takes centre stage Over three days in Mackay, the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition showcased expertise shaping the future of the state’s mining industry.

Connecting mining and investment AIMEX 2027 will host the inaugural Asia-Pacific Mining Investment Summit, bringing mining and investment together in Adelaide.

50 AUSTRALIANMINING 4 SEPTEMBER 2026

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UNDERGROUND MINING

Images: Peruphotoart/stock.adobe.com

As machines become more capable, the information they generate is as valuable as the work they perform.

The connected underground How technology is reshaping underground mining.

nderground mining has always been an exercise in solving problems that become more complex the deeper an operation goes. Limited space, changing ground conditions, ventilation requirements, long haulage routes and the need to keep people and equipment moving safely all place constraints on productivity. Today, however, the industry is finding ways to turn those constraints into opportunities. Automation, electrification, advanced software, remote operation, data analytics and the growing sophistication of equipment is changing how underground mines are designed and operated. This transformation is happening through the connection of many systems that allow mines to make better decisions, remove people from higher-risk environments and extract more value from every metre developed. The result is an underground industry that is better positioned to grow.

Bringing people and machines together

Automation is perhaps the most visible part of this transformation. The use of remotely operated and automated equipment in modern underground operations is increasing, particularly across loading and hauling as well as drilling and production. These technologies are changing not only the operator’s role but also where and how work is performed. Australia’s mining industry has already demonstrated the potential of automated mining systems, including automated longwall operations in underground coal mines. The use of autonomous equipment and drones is also part of the industry’s technological development, and for underground operations, the benefits can be particularly significant. Remote operation can reduce an operator’s exposure to hazards while allowing equipment to continue working in areas unsuitable for people.

Automation can also improve repeatability, allowing machines to perform tasks according to precise parameters rather than relying entirely on the intervention of operators. The industry’s growing experience with automation is also creating a more mature approach to its implementation. Western Australia’s code of practice for mobile autonomous mining, for example, emphasises demonstrating that autonomous systems are safe and perform as designed, alongside appropriate hazard management and consultation between suppliers and mine operators. The distinction here is that future underground mines are unlikely to be completely autonomous. Instead, environments where people and machines simultaneously perform the tasks to which they are best suited, will become more common. As machines become more capable, the information they generate is becoming just as valuable as the work they perform.

AUSTRALIANMINING 8 SEPTEMBER 2026

If automation represents the physical transformation of underground mining, data represents its nervous system. Modern mines generate enormous amounts of information from equipment, sensors, geological models, production systems and environmental monitoring. The opportunity has moved beyond collecting that information to connecting it and using it to make decisions. Mine planning and fleet management software can bring together information on equipment location, machine performance, development progress, maintenance requirements and production targets. Digital geological and geotechnical models can then be continually updated as new information becomes available. As a result, this creates a feedback loop between what was planned and what is actually happening underground, with operators then being able to use live information to understand how the operation is performing, and where adjustments may be required.

UNDERGROUND MINING

Better information can reduce delays, improve equipment utilisation, identify bottlenecks, and support more accurate planning, making the implications for growth substantial. The wider breadth of information can also help operations make better use of existing infrastructure before committing to expensive new development. That shift towards data-driven decisionmaking is also changing some of the most established processes in underground mining, including the way mines drill and blast as the technology surrounding it is becoming more sophisticated. Modern drills can incorporate precise positioning, automated drilling functions, digital plans and data capture. The objective is greater consistency, where holes need to be drilled where they are designed to be drilled, to the required depth and orientation, so blasting produces the desired result. The significance is that if there is an error at the drilling stage, it can propagate through the entire mining cycle. Poor fragmentation can affect loading and hauling. Overbreak can increase dilution and rehabilitation requirements; underbreak can create additional work. A more accurate drilling and blasting process can therefore improve much more than the blast itself.

Equipment built around productivity

The equipment fleet in underground mining operations is evolving in parallel to these evolving requirements. Loaders, trucks, drills, bolters and service vehicles are becoming more connected, with greater levels of automation and remote functionality being incorporated into equipment design. By the same token, electrification is another important part of that evolution. Battery-electric equipment can provide underground mines with an alternative to conventional diesel-powered machines, potentially reducing the need to manage diesel emissions and creating opportunities to rethink ventilation requirements and mine infrastructure. In this context, the importance of ventilation lies in its role as a safety metric and a major component of an underground mine’s operating environment. Recent NSW Resources assessments have continued to focus on ventilation design, airflow, contaminant control and the removal or restriction of workers from areas containing irrespirable atmospheres, making the interaction between equipment and infrastructure even more important. Charging infrastructure, electrical distribution, traffic management, mine planning and equipment scheduling all become part of the electric-fleet equation. The opportunity, however, is to design those systems together.

The same combination of technology and data is giving mines greater insight into the ground itself. One of underground mining’s oldest challenges remains one of its most technologically demanding – understanding and managing the rock mass. Ground support, geotechnical monitoring and mine design are being supported by better data, modelling and instrumentation. The goal is to understand how the ground is behaving before that behaviour becomes a problem. Better understanding of ground conditions can give mine planners greater confidence when designing development drives, stopes and production sequences. This can help operations extract more of the resource while reducing unnecessary development and rehabilitation. Understanding the ground is one part of managing risk underground. The industry is also looking at how technology can remove people from hazardous situations altogether. Safety technology is also becoming integrated into production rather than treated as something separate from it. Proximity detection, machine guarding, remote operation, collision avoidance, automated isolation and condition monitoring are examples of technologies designed to reduce exposure to hazards. The most effective approach is often to remove the worker from the hazard altogether. Automation and remote operation are creating new safety considerations of their own.

As mines become more connected, the industry must ensure that technology is introduced with appropriate controls, training and operational discipline. That is why the next stage of underground mining is as much about people as it is about machines.

The connected mine

Perhaps the most important development is that these technologies are no longer operating independently. An automated loader becomes more valuable when its location is known in real time, while a fleet-management system becomes more powerful when it can draw information directly from machines. A geological model becomes more useful when new drilling and production data can be incorporated, and a ventilation system becomes more responsive when it can react to where people and equipment are operating. This is the connected underground mine. The industry is moving towards systems in which information flows between planning, production, maintenance, safety and processing. That connectivity can allow decisions to be made earlier, problems to be identified sooner and resources to be deployed more effectively. It also changes the role of the workforce. As machines take on more repetitive and hazardous tasks, people are moving towards supervision, planning, interpretation, maintenance, technology management and decision-making.

This means the skills required underground are changing accordingly. When these technologies are brought together, they begin to change what an underground mine can achieve. The significance ultimately comes down to one thing: capacity. Every improvement in drilling accuracy, equipment utilisation, development speed, maintenance planning, ground control, ventilation efficiency or worker exposure has the potential to increase the amount of value an underground mine can safely and economically extract. That is particularly important as operations become more technically challenging and deposits require increasingly sophisticated approaches to development and extraction. Technology will not remove every constraint. Underground mining will always involve geology, depth, rock mechanics, logistics and complex operating environments, but it is giving the industry more tools with which to manage those constraints. The underground mine of today is not simply more automated than the mine of a generation ago. The modern underground mine more connected, more data-driven and increasingly capable of responding to conditions in real time. This means that the underground mining industry’s greatest opportunity lies not in any individual machine or software platform, but in bringing those technologies together. AM

Future underground mines will be an environment where people and machines perform the tasks to which they are best suited.

AUSTRALIANMINING 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

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UNDERGROUND MINING

Komatsu supports underground mining operations with predictive asset maintenance systems.

Images: Komatsu

From reactive to predictive Komatsu is supporting mine operations to become future-proof with datadriven maintenance systems that provide greater asset insights.

n underground mining environments, availability of equipment is more than a maintenance metric and has a direct influence on production, workforce planning and shift performance. When a critical machine is unavailable, the impact is rarely isolated and can affect crews, schedules, haulage sequences, ventilation planning and downstream processes. This is a real concern for mining operations across Australia, with datadriven insights changing the conversation around how maintenance is managed. Traditionally, underground maintenance strategies have been built around fixed service intervals, known component life, operator feedback and response to faults as they occur. These remain important but, according to Komatsu, are no longer the whole picture. Modern underground equipment, service records, inspection data and component histories provide valuable insight into how machines are performing over time and where attention may be needed before a problem becomes a production issue. As part of Komatsu’s commitment to being a partner to the mining industry,

the company has brought together service, training and product performance under a single department, enabling closer collaboration across teams. As a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the company knows all too well the struggles and

opportunities facing mine sites when it comes to asset maintenance, lifecycle support and ensuring the most efficient underground mining activities. Support includes scheduled servicing, condition monitoring, genuine parts, repairs, field services and preventative

Komatsu supports data capture through automated and digitally enabled systems.

AUSTRALIANMINING 12 SEPTEMBER 2026

maintenance programs designed around individual operating requirements. “The goal isn’t simply to repair equipment faster, it’s to understand what’s happening earlier. By combining service expertise, training, product performance insights and machine data, we can help

Komatsu supports mining operations with preventative maintenance programs designed around individual operating requirements.

UNDERGROUND MINING

customers make more informed decisions, plan maintenance with greater confidence and ultimately get more value from their assets over the long term,” Komatsu national service and training manager Wikus Louw said. An integrated approach brings together component tracking, machine telemetry data, condition monitoring and site collaboration. By connecting these insights, maintenance teams can plan work more effectively, prioritise resources and make decisions with greater confidence. “The value of this shift is especially clear underground, where safety is paramount, access is constrained, operating conditions can be demanding and unplanned downtime can quickly disrupt the broader production cycle,” Louw said. “By bringing together equipment knowledge, maintenance history and sitelevel insight, mines can start to move from reactive maintenance to predictive and planned support.” By leveraging data in maintenance workflows, teams can identify patterns and better understand the condition of critical components whilst also supporting more effective shutdown planning, clearer parts forecasting and more targeted interventions. “In practical terms, this means maintenance becomes less about reacting to failure and more about protecting availability throughout the asset lifecycle,” Louw said. This approach delivers several benefits, including improved fleet lifecycle planning, reduced unplanned breakdowns and earlier detection of anomalies and potential failures. For Komatsu’s suite of Joy underground equipment, lifecycle support is not limited to service visits or component supply and extends to working alongside operations to understand how equipment is being used and the challenges faced on site. “Every operation is different, but our role is to combine OEM knowledge,

service expertise and performance data to help customers make smarter decisions throughout the life of their equipment,” Louw said. “The real value comes from turning insights into practical actions that improve reliability, availability and longterm fleet performance.” A partnership model such as this can support underground operations looking to get more from existing fleets. Extending asset life, improving reliability and planning maintenance more effectively can help mines manage cost pressures while maintaining safe and productive operations. It also supports a more strategic view of equipment investment, where decisions are made with the full life of the machine in mind. “Local expertise plays a critical role in making this approach possible, every underground operation has its own operating profile, geology, production demands and maintenance constraints. Data can point to opportunities, but it is the combination of data, technical knowledge and site experience that turns information into action,” Louw said. “This is where OEM support can add value beyond the immediate repair by understanding the design intent of equipment. Komatsu can help make informed decisions about maintenance timing, rebuild strategies and lifecycle planning.” As underground mines continue to adopt more connected, automated and digitally enabled systems, the opportunity for maintenance intelligence will only grow. The next step is not only collecting more information, but also using it in a way that supports clearer decision-making for maintenance planners, site leaders and production teams. “The most productive underground operations of the future will not simply rely on stronger machines,” Louw said. “They will rely on smarter decisions about how those machines are supported over time.” AM

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UNDERGROUND MINING

The underground lifeline Innovative Wireless Technologies’ SENTINEL system keeps underground communications and critical data moving when mine infrastructure is placed under its greatest pressure. ‘information’ is given more than one way to reach its destination. “Unlike traditional systems that rely on a single communication path, the SENTINEL System creates a web of interconnected wireless nodes,” IWT SENTINEL product manager Chad Barnett told Australian Mining. “If one path is blocked or a device fails, the network automatically reroutes communications through another path, keeping miners connected without manual intervention.” This “self-healing architecture” is designed to remove a single point of failure from the communications chain. When one available route is disrupted, traffic can be redirected through another part of the mesh, helping maintain contact without requiring someone to first enter the affected area and repair the failed pathway. This is a level of technological resilience that IWT said becomes especially important during an emergency,

when damage, disrupted power and changing atmospheric conditions can make an already difficult underground environment more uncertain. According to IWT, the SENTINEL system was used during a major emergency at a large underground metallurgical-coal operation, employing more than 400 people in the Northern Appalachian Coal Basin in the US. During the event, the system supported evacuation, rescue coordination and mine re-entering efforts, with communications and personnel-tracking information combined with atmospheric monitoring and ventilation analysis – giving responders a continuing picture of conditions underground. Crucially, elements of the network remained available. “Line-powered mesh nodes with battery backup, battery-powered wireless devices and gas monitors continued operating days, preserving critical situational awareness,” Barnett said.

The continuity allowed information from underground to keep reaching the people responsible for making decisions above ground. Rather than relying on a single form of communication or an isolated data source, responders could draw on the broader system. The installed network also worked with IWT’s Mine Rescue System, extending communications and tracking into the rescue effort. IWT said the flow of real-time information helped personnel assess underground conditions and limit unnecessary exposure while the response progressed. “Seamless compatibility between the installed SENTINEL network and the IWT Mine Rescue System allowed communications and tracking to extend into rescue operations,” Barnett said. While an emergency is the most acute test of an underground communications system, it is not the only time connectivity matters.

The Mine Rescue System’s compatibility with the existing SENTINEL network allowed communications and tracking coverage to be extended. AUSTRALIANMINING 14 SEPTEMBER 2026

Images: Innovative Wireless Technologies

nnovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) doesn’t believe in losing connection. The communications technology company has dedicated its entire product range to reinforce that belief. Maintaining that connection and connectivity underground, however, is no simple task. Below the surface, communications infrastructure must contend with distance, complex layouts and the possibilities of a damaged device, interrupted pathway or loss of power isolating parts of the operation. IWT developed its SENTINEL system with those conditions in mind. Rather than treating voice communications, personnel tracking, atmospheric monitoring and operational data as separate functions supported by independent infrastructure, SENTINEL brings them together in a single wireless mesh platform. The technical principle behind the SENTINEL platform is to ensure

UNDERGROUND MINING

The SENTINEL Wireless Gas Monitor was instrumental in providing real-time visibility of atmospheric.

On an ordinary shift, the same information can support a far wider group of personnel than the safety team alone. Dispatchers can use location data to coordinate people and equipment, while supervisors can see where crews are working and assign tasks accordingly. Ventilation engineers can use atmospheric information to help manage airflow and maintenance teams can more quickly identify the location and operating context of equipment requiring attention. Managers and safety personnel, meanwhile, can use the same operational picture to monitor performance and compliance. Bringing those data streams together can reduce the time spent searching for an asset, waiting for information or working across several disconnected systems. It can also help production and maintenance teams coordinate their activities, so an equipment issue is identified and acted on with less disruption to the wider operation. “Together, these data streams provide a real-time operational picture that enhances safety, productivity, regulatory compliance and overall mine efficiency,” Barnett said. Equipment utilisation is one area in which IWT sees that visibility providing practical value. Knowing where production assets and personnel are located can help dispatchers reduce delays, refine task assignments and respond quicker when equipment requires attention. The benefit is not the tracking point alone, but the decisions that can be made when location, communications and operating information are available through the same platform. The integrated approach is also intended to reduce the amount of

standalone infrastructure a mine must install and maintain. A single network supporting communications, tracking, atmospheric monitoring and operational data can limit duplicated equipment, while wireless deployment can reduce reliance on cabling vulnerable to damage as the mine develops. Battery-powered and battery-backed devices provide another layer of resilience during an outage, as demonstrated in the US emergency. “The scalable architecture allows mines to add new applications without replacing existing infrastructure, protecting longterm investments,” Barnett said. Although every underground mine presents different conditions, IWT uses the same mesh principle across coal, hardrock and salt operations. The deployment itself can then be tailored through node placement, sensor selection and software configuration to suit the mine’s layout, equipment and operating priorities. When it comes to IWT’s work, resilience underground cannot be achieved simply by placing technology into a mine and assuming that it will work everywhere in the same way. Its coverage must follow the operation as it changes and the information being collected must remain useful to the people expected to act on it. Inside Australian underground mines, the Northern Appalachian example exemplifies that communications infrastructure is not merely a convenience for routine coordination, nor is it something that becomes relevant only after an incident begins. It is instead, according to Barnett, part of a mine site’s safety and operating backbone. AM

At the surface, SENTINEL integrated communications, tracking and atmospheric information into a common operational picture.

AUSTRALIANMINING 15 SEPTEMBER 2026

UNDERGROUND MINING

Swinging payload, not steel

very kilogram of steel taken off a mining bucket is a kilogram of payload that can go into it, and that exchange is the whole idea that underpins the XMOR bucket range ONTRAC Group manufactures in Australia. “Rather than swinging steel, we swing payload,” ONTRAC managing director Adrian Atwood told Australian Mining. “The XMOR design is wildly different in its shape, and through the change of its shape we reduce the drag. “The less drag we have, the less wear the bucket has, so we don’t need as much steel to combat the wear.” The design is owned and patented by Swedish steelmaker SSAB, and ONTRAC Group, a specialist bucket builder, has manufactured it under licence for Australia since 2021. The steel does as much work as the shape, with each bucket running a single layer of SSAB’s Hardox 500 Tuf plate,

which carries about 37 per cent more wear life than the Hardox 450 it replaces, so less of it is needed in the first place. The smaller amount of steel changes the maths of a loadout. “If you’re on a five-pass loadout and you could make it four-pass, sometimes you get one or maybe two pass savings, and that efficiency over time just pays dividends,” Attwood said. Fewer passes mean trucks clear through the digger faster, and on operations running around the clock, a single pass saved on a large truck can represent millions of dollars over a few years. In some applications, the weight savings can also mean operators achieve the required production with a smaller machine.

Images: ONTRAC Group

The XMOR bucket increases payload by reducing weight rather than bolting it on.

ONTRAC manufactures the XMOR bucket range under licence in Australia, using a shape designed to reduce drag and wear so less steel is needed to move more payload.

The XMOR range has grown into B, C and D designs covering different applications. The D design is the mining bucket among, a heavier, tougher build for machines through to the 120 to 400 tonne classes, and 600 tonne coming soon. ONTRAC had one on display at the recent Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME), where visitors approaching from the front saw a familiar-looking bucket.

The back and sides of the XMOR bucket are where the design does its work, with an inverted keel supplied as a plug-and-play modular piece.

AUSTRALIANMINING 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

“At the front of the bucket, people don’t really see the design being anything really different,” Attwood said. “It’s actually the back and sides of the bucket where all the magic happens.” That magic comes in the fact the back of the bucket is inverted, which means there is less to drag with ground contact. “The bucket tub is also known as the inverted keel and is a modular piece which is supplied in one piece; you just drop it straight into the bucket – it’s plug and play.” The walk-arounds at QME kept landing on the same point – ease of maintenance. A good portion of repairs with the XMOR design can be carried out without taking the bucket off the machine, so heel shrouds that traditionally meant pulling the bucket into a workshop and parking the machine, can be changed where it stands in the field. “You can knock these bolts off, change these parts, torque them back up again and get the machine back in operation,” Attwood said. The sticker on the bucket at QME saying “Made here in Australia” drew almost as much attention as the bucket itself. “It’s amazing how many people actually pointed to the Australian-made sign at the event. We use premium-grade material, premium labour, and we back it up with service locally,” Attwood said. ONTRAC Group has worked its way into the mining sector, where an accumulation of small wins in 24-hour operation compound into tangible results. “The difference between a good bucket and an average bucket is chalk and cheese,” Attwood said. “You put a good bucket on, and the operational performance can bring improvements to bottom line profits overnight. “The bigger the project, the bigger the reward.” AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

Making every second count MST Global’s HELIX turns underground mine data into timely intelligence, helping operators respond faster, strengthen safety and improve operational consistency. of what has already happened, and while this information remains important for analysis and planning, it may arrive too late to influence the immediate outcome. To bridge this gap, MST Global’s HELIX enterprise software platform is designed to bring these information streams together, providing real-time data capture, 3D visualisation, integrated automation and configurable operational workflows through a geospatial digital twin of the mine. Its modular structure allows operations to introduce capabilities progressively while maintaining a common environment for visualisation, monitoring, tracking, reporting and control.

Historical values can also be retained for trend analysis, reporting and incident investigation. This continuous visibility supports a range of practical underground applications, such as gas monitoring, which can help operational teams assess conditions in return airways, headings and post-blast areas, while ventilation

monitoring can provide visibility of airflow, differential pressure, fan operation and system status. Water-level, flow and pump monitoring can support earlier identification of flooding risk or infrastructure failure and strata sensors provide indications of ground movement or changing stress conditions.

Smart monitoring: seeing changing conditions earlier

The HELIX Smart Monitoring system connects data from underground sensors, industrial equipment, cameras and monitoring devices into a central operational view, and using standard industrial communication protocols, it can ingest information from systems such as gas monitors, ventilation fans, pumps, water management infrastructure, fixed assets and environmental sensors. Live measurements, operating states and connectivity status can be viewed from the dashboard, while configurable thresholds allow alarms to be generated when conditions move outside parameters.

HELIX connects people, equipment and infrastructure across underground mines.

Images: MST Global

n underground mining, the value of data is not determined by how much is collected, but by how quickly it can be understood and converted into action. By combining smart monitoring, operational intelligence and process automation, mines can respond sooner to changing conditions, reduce exposure to risk and operate with greater consistency. Underground mines generate an enormous volume of information every second; environmental sensors monitor gas, airflow, dust, temperature and water levels; mobile equipment produces data relating to location, utilisation, operating condition and faults; and tracking systems identify where personnel and vehicles are located, while communications infrastructure connects devices, control rooms and operational teams. Present mine practice has demonstrated that collecting data alone does not make a mine safer or more productive. The real value comes from transforming that information into clear operational context: what is happening, where it is happening, who or what may be affected and what response is required. When this process occurs in real time, mine managers and control-room teams can intervene before an abnormal condition becomes a significant disruption or safety event. Furthermore, traditional reporting methods often provide a historical view

Connected monitoring enables more responsive underground ventilation.

AUSTRALIANMINING 18 SEPTEMBER 2026

UNDERGROUND MINING

The combination of smart monitoring, operational intelligence and process automation helps mines respond sooner to changing conditions.

Cameras also give operators visual confirmation without first sending personnel into the affected area. Equipment and fixed infrastructure can also be monitored for vibration, temperature, pressure, current draw and operating status. Rather than waiting for a component to fail, maintenance teams can use emerging trends to plan interventions more effectively. The outcome then becomes greater than just ‘more data’ and turns into earlier awareness, a state where operators can monitor, see what is happening and, through intelligent control, can determine what should happen next. “HELIX Intelligent Control uses real-time data from tracking systems, IoT devices, and alarms, then applies configurable rules, workflows and operational logic to initiate an appropriate response,” MST Global HELIX platform and solutions manager Chris Sutton said. “The process operates as a continuous cycle; information is captured from personnel, vehicles, equipment, sensors and industrial systems before the operational context, including location, mine zones, current conditions and the people or assets involved, is evaluated.” Selected monitoring processes have configurable rules and geospatial logic that can then determine the approved response, connecting field infrastructure acts, and the resulting events, alarms, decisions and outcomes are recorded for review.

This approach doesn’t remove people from operational management but instead reduces dependence on repetitive manual intervention and ensures predetermined responses are applied consistently, including during emergencies or high-risk events. One example is that ventilation behaviour can be adjusted according to personnel or vehicle presence, zone occupancy or environmental thresholds. Another is that traffic lights can respond to the direction and location of approaching vehicles, visual alerts can be activated during emergencies, evacuations or restricted-area breaches and post-blast access controls can remain active until gas values and clearance requirements are satisfied. Smart Monitoring and Intelligent Control are supported by additional HELIX modules that provide the location, personnel, fleet and equipment context needed to form a broader operational picture. HELIX 3D Connect presents information within a geospatial digital twin, allowing personnel, equipment, devices, alarms and events to be viewed in their actual mine location; HELIX Sentinel provides real-time visibility of underground personnel and supports digital tagboards, zone-presence monitoring, muster accountability and restricted-area alerts; HELIX Telemetry consolidates machine and

vehicle information, while HELIX Dispatch brings together location, task, time, crew and production information to support real-time production and fleet management. Together, these modules reduce the operational gaps created when information is held in separate systems, enabling safety, maintenance, production and control-room teams to work from a shared operational picture. “Traffic management demonstrates how monitoring and automating processes naturally work together,” Sutton said. “A connected traffic-control system can continuously monitor vehicle location, direction of travel, intersection occupancy and signalling equipment. “HELIX Smart Monitoring presents this information, while Intelligent Control applies configured traffic rules.” When a tracked vehicle approaches an intersection, the system can identify the direction of travel and change local traffic lights accordingly, and other approaches can be held on red until the intersection is clear. Different logic can be configured for straight routes, T-intersections and fourway intersections, while manual controls can remain available as a fallback for untagged vehicles or personnel. Local edge control enables rule actions to be managed close to the intersection, helping reduce response latency, with clear signals able to be given to drivers in the

AUSTRALIANMINING 19 SEPTEMBER 2026

event of a communication breakdown through and telling oncoming drivers to proceed with caution. Events can also be recorded to support investigation, operational review and ongoing refinement of traffic rules. Alternatively, HELIX can support direct server-based rule execution, reducing the need for additional hardware at the intersection and providing deployment flexibility based on site and operational requirements. This enables the response to occur where and when it is needed, before a developing vehicle interaction becomes a collision risk or operational delay. Real-time decision-making allows operations to identify risk sooner, allocate resources more effectively and respond to changing conditions before they affect safety or production. MST Global’s smart monitoring provides the awareness; the wider operational intelligence supplies the context, and finally, intelligent control converts the approved decision into action. When it comes to mine managers, the most important outcome is greater visibility, but also the ability to act while the information still has operational value. In an environment where conditions can change rapidly, that time advantage can support safer people, more reliable infrastructure and a more efficient underground operation whilst ensuring greater communication. AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

OTR Tyres Wheels Service supports both hard rock and underground coal mining.

Image: bejo/stock.adobe.con

Built for below OTR Tyres’ underground mining offering combines specialised wheels, rims and tyres with a design philosophy centred on durability.

nderground mining makes up a large part of Australia’s resources industry, with equipment typically needed to withstand harsh environments. With that demand comes the need for specialist tyres. OTR Tyres Wheels Service has developed its underground offering to support both hard rock and coal segments, with products ranging from smaller 20inch drill rig wheels through to larger underground haul trucks. “Whilst the operations might change, the wheel design criteria doesn’t,” OTR director Darryl Bentley told Australian Mining. “Our underground product range is designed and manufactured to set benchmarks in performance, looking closely at the design profiles and material make-up because of the demanding underground environment,” Bentley said. “Original equipment products are generally built around price, whereas we focus safety and being a key design criterion.” That philosophy is reflected in the company’s approach to wheel construction, where design characteristics are considered alongside the conditions in which the product will operate.

Underground machinery can be required to work within confined environments and under demanding loads, making wheel and rim integrity an important consideration for operators and tyre service personnel. Changes to Australian Standard, such as AS4457.1, have further increased the focus on wheel and rim testing, repair and safety features across the mining industry. OTR has incorporated several design features into its underground products that address these requirements. One example is the use of reverse-fit wheels, where the lock ring faces inwards. The configuration provides a safety feature for underground applications, particularly during tyre servicing. OTR also offers bash ring technology, which provides additional protection around the wheel assembly. The bash ring extends the wheel’s gutter section, helping protect the structure and integrity of the wheel while shielding the gutter and lock ring from accidental operational damage. Bentley said underground mining operations had historically been reluctant to use the connection system because lightweight designs could be vulnerable to damage.

OTR Tyres has instead developed robust, integrated Sur-loc features designed to provide an additional safety mechanism for tyre service personnel when fitting tyres, addressing some of the concerns associated with earlier designs. “The changes to standards have made safety features a clear focus within the mining industry, and underground mining is no exception,” Bentley said. “With robust integrated Sur-locs, there is an added safety mechanism for tyre servicemen when fitting tyres, which is something underground operations have previously been reluctant to use because of damage to lightweight components.”

A broad offering

OTR’s underground support extends beyond wheel and rim supply and manufacture to include the supply of tyres from major manufacturers. The company is a major supplier of underground application tyres from Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Aeolus and TerraTyre, giving operators access to a broad range of products across different equipment applications. The combined offering allows OTR to support the varied machinery found across underground operations.

AUSTRALIANMINING 20 SEPTEMBER 2026

Where a required product is not held in stock, OTR can draw on its Australian manufacturing and repair facilities to produce or repair wheels locally, with a number of branches located across the country. That capability provides an alternative when an application requires a product outside the company’s existing inventory. “If we don’t have it, we can build it for you,” Bentley said. The breadth of OTR’s underground offering reflects the diversity of the sector itself. Rather than treating hard rock and coal mining as separate markets, the company has developed a product and service capability designed to address the common requirements of underground equipment, while accounting for the specific demands of individual machines. This gives access to wheels, rims and tyres through a single supplier, supported by local manufacturing. In an environment where equipment reliability and safe tyre servicing remain critical to maintaining production, OTR’s approach places product durability, performance and safety at the centre of its underground mining offering to get the most out of equipment. AM

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UNDERGROUND MINING

Going deeper underground

Image: Michael Evans/stock.adobe.com

cross gold, base metals and critical minerals, mining operators are looking for ways to maintain development rates and control costs while improving safety, blast predictability and environmental performance. For international explosives, blasting and metallurgy solutions provider BME, these pressures are accelerating the shift towards more precise, digitally enabled blasting. BME Australia acting general manager Dr Rakhi Pathak said reliable explosive performance remained fundamental, but underground miners were increasingly looking for solutions that could deliver benefits across the broader mining cycle. “Australia’s underground mining market is looking for reliable explosive performance that reduces operational risk while lowering nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions and toxic fumes, improves blast predictability and supports compliance with stringent Australian regulations,” Pathak said. Productivity is another priority, with operators seeking higher development advance per blast, faster charging cycles, fewer misfires, shorter re-entry times and improved fragmentation.

BME brings decades of experience across international underground mining environments to these challenges, combining explosives and electronic initiation systems with digital technologies, technical support and blast optimisation. Its Australian offering includes AXXIS Silver electronic detonators for underground applications, high-energy bulk emulsion products and technical blasting services focused on reducing total mining costs. BME is also developing sustainable technologies such as hydrogen peroxide emulsion (HPE) offers, aimed at eliminating NOx emissions and nitrate leaching from blasting practices. As Australian underground mines embrace automation and data-driven operations, Pathak said digitalisation was changing the way blasts were designed, executed and analysed. “Digital blast design allows engineers to model, optimise and validate blast parameters before execution, helping ensure that each blast is tailored to the site’s geological and operational conditions,” she said. Combined with electronic detonators, this can provide greater control over blast timing and sequencing, helping improve

Image: BME

As Australia’s miners pursue deeper and increasingly complex ore bodies, the demands placed on underground operations are growing, with BME meeting them head-on.

BME Australia acting general manager Dr Rakhi Pathak

fragmentation and ground control while reducing overbreak and dilution. BME’s AXXIS electronic detonator technology is complemented by its Centralised Electronic Blasting System (CEBS), designed to provide centralised blast management and improved monitoring and control of blasting activities. Capturing blast information also allows operations to analyse performance, identify trends and refine future designs. “Digital analytics adds another important dimension by allowing operations to capture and analyse blast performance data,” Pathak said. “These insights help identify trends, measure performance against objectives and continuously refine blast designs and practices.”

As underground mines extend deeper and operating conditions grow more complex, blasting is becoming a strategic driver of performance.

AUSTRALIANMINING 22 SEPTEMBER 2026

Such capabilities are becoming increasingly important as mines move deeper– more challenging ground conditions and tighter mining envelopes can make controlling dilution, overbreak, ventilation and ground stability increasingly difficult. Better blast outcomes can also flow through to loading, hauling and processing, reducing rework and helping lower total mining costs. Misfire reduction remains another critical consideration. Electronic initiation systems provide accurate timing, system diagnostics and quality-control capabilities that allow operators to verify circuit integrity before firing. “Misfires can create serious safety risks, lead to production delays, increase operational costs and require additional resources for investigation and remediation,” Pathak said. Sustainability is also reshaping underground blasting, particularly as companies seek to reduce emissions and improve underground air quality. BME’s approach includes reducing blast-related NOx and post-blast fumes, while optimised blasting can improve fragmentation and resource recovery and reduce downstream energy requirements. Precision blasting can also help minimise overbreak, dilution, vibration, dust, waste generation and unnecessary ground disturbance. For BME, however, technology represents only part of the equation. The company’s model centres on working with mine operators throughout the blasting cycle, combining global experience with site-specific technical expertise. “Every underground mine faces unique geological, operational and production challenges,” Pathak said. “BME’s approach is to work alongside customers to develop sitespecific blasting solutions that align with their safety, productivity and sustainability objectives.” AM

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UNDERGROUND MINING

Image: Nord-lock Group

The Expander System uses tapered ends and expanding sleeves to eliminate micro-movement.

Expanded equipment life Expander System is helping mining operations tackle pivot wear, reduce downtime and keep critical equipment working for longer.

n an industry like underground mining, where the availability of equipment has a direct and immediate impact on productivity, decision on maintenance have a significant impact on an operation’s total cost of ownership. While major components such as engines, hydraulics and tyres often receive close attention during shutdowns or breaks in use, smaller critical components can create substantial costs over the operating life of a machine if not given the same care. Pivot pins are one such example. Critical bolted joints, such as the Expander System, are essential in ensuring fluid machine movement and performance. However, traditional pivot pin designs can introduce a range of maintenance challenges, from accelerated wear and regular replacement to unplanned downtime caused by components that are seized. Nord-Lock Group’s Expander System has been developed to address these challenges by improving pivot performance, reducing maintenance requirements and lowering lifecycle costs for underground mining and mineral processing equipment. Traditional pivot pin maintenance can involve far more than simply replacing a worn component; movement between the pin and surrounding lug

bores over time can create wear that affects machine efficiency and increases maintenance demands. In more severe cases, traditional pins can seize within the assembly, rendering equipment unavailable until repairs are completed. The Expander System is designed to eliminate many of these costly maintenance requirements by addressing the underlying causes of pivot wear. Unlike conventional straight pins, the system uses expandable sleeves that create a secure fit within worn or oversized lug holes. This design distributes load more effectively, reducing movement between components and helping prevent premature wear. “By simplifying installation and extending service life, the Expander System provides mining operators with a solution focused on reducing maintenance frequency and associated downtime,” Expander sales manager APAC Paul Yoong told Australian Mining. “The system has a number of uses across mining equipment, such as excavators, rope shovels, wheel loaders and dozers and haul trucks, helping to avert play in joints like boom mountings, restore joint integrity for walking pads and eliminate pivot play in bucket linkages, blade lift arms and drills.”

Keeping assets going

One of the primary benefits of the Expander System is the upside it has on lifecycle costs, which can be particularly important when considered across the lifespan of large mining equipment. Expander has used key performance data to highlight these benefits, saving operations upwards of 60 per cent in some cases, the company said. The Expander System was positioned on an EPIROC D65 drill rig between the knuckle and cylinder with a pivot diameter of 70mm and width of 142mm. This led to tangible cost savings for the end, with the line boring solution running at a cost of around $1900 compared to $1300 with the Expander System. When downtime was factored in, these costs were reduced by around 65 per cent, from almost $4000 to $1400. “For mining operators running large equipment around the clock, every hour of downtime carries a cost far beyond the repair bill itself,” Yoong said. “Cutting lifecycle costs and slashing total repair costs, including downtime by two-thirds, isn’t just a maintenance win, it’s a direct contribution to the bottom line.” The proof of Expander’s effectiveness is in the pudding, with the system being used by major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

AUSTRALIANMINING 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

Just north of Fort McMurray, in the heart of Canada’s oil sands mining fields, heavy machinery provider SMS Equipment used the Expander System when replacing all pivot pins in a brandnew Komatsu 980E haul truck. “Expander was brought in as a partner to provide additional options for haul truck pins to allow for easier installation. When we were working on the haul truck, the time savings were incredible, and the pins went in so quickly and easily,” SMS Equipment mining product support representative Brenda Wolski said. This sentiment is echoed by SMS Equipment’s operations manager for Fort McMurray Alex Kitsinelis, who emphasised the system’s effectiveness. “It’s a great solution when it comes to field installations, safety, lifecycle support, reducing our customers’ downtime, maintenance, and physical labour to rebuild certain components,” Kitsinelis said. As mining companies continue to focus on productivity, reliability and cost control, lifecycle thinking is becoming increasingly important. Through the Expander System, NordLock Group provides operators with a proven approach to managing one of the most maintenance-intensive areas of heavy equipment. AM

UNDERGROUND MINING

Images: Robit

The combination of faster penetration with longer service life helps underground mines sustain safer development cycles.

At the cutting edge Robit’s FBX drifting bit combines faster penetration with longer service life, helping underground mines sustain safer, more productive development cycles.

nderground mine development relies on a repeatable cycle of drilling, blasting, mucking and ground support, with each stage dependent on the one before it. At the start of that cycle is the drill bit, which influences penetration rate, rock breakage, cuttings removal and service life. Robit’s Full Ballistic Extreme Carbide, or FBX, drifting bit has been developed specifically for this balance between penetration speed and service life. A bit that drills faster but wears prematurely can increase tool cost and handling requirements. “In drifting, where the same process is repeated round after round, small changes in penetration rate, bit life, and downtime can add up to significant operational effects,” a Robit spokesperson said. Robit said performance should be considered in the context of rock conditions and operating practices, citing six test cases in Finland, France, the US and Germany. All six cases showed performance gains over its standard and competitor bits, with lifetime improvements ranging from 20–110 per cent depending on site conditions. “The highest rate of penetration [ROP] improvement in the test summary was 44 per cent in medium-hard, abrasive tunnelling conditions in France,” the Robit spokesperson said.

“Other cases showed ROP gains between 15 per cent and 25 per cent. Robit has also reported up to 45 per cent faster rate of penetration compared with the company’s previous generation of drifting bits, and more than 30 per cent improvement in average lifetime without regrinding compared with drifting bits requiring regrinding.” Robit said these should be read as specific test results rather than universal outcomes, adding that drilling performance depends on rock mass characteristics, rig parameters, operator practices, flushing, maintenance routines, and the wider drilling system. Another factor influencing drilling performance is button geometry, with Robit highlighting that spherical and ballistic buttons interact with rock in different ways. Ballistic buttons concentrate impact energy into a smaller area to improve penetration but must also withstand higher wear and the risk of damage in abrasive rock. “The FBX bit is based on a full ballistic design, rather than using ballistic buttons selectively; the concept applies the geometry across the bit face to support penetration speed,” the spokesperson said. Robit said the FBX design uses an optimised layout of carbide buttons and flushing holes to improve cuttings removal

The FBX design uses an optimised layout of carbide buttons and flushing holes.

and maintain drilling efficiency. However, it added that the more meaningful metric is total drilling cost. “It includes the bit itself, metres drilled, penetration rate, change-out frequency, regrinding requirements, rig utilisation, labour, and the effect on the broader development cycle,” the spokesperson said. In turn, if a longer service life is achieved without sacrificing ROP, the effect can be seen in consumable cost per metre and equipment productivity. Robit said hole quality influences every stage of underground development, from

charging and blasting through to mucking and ground support. This means delays or inconsistencies at the drilling stage can affect much more than the drilling shift itself. “Robit’s FBX drifting bit combines full ballistic button geometry with carbide technology designed for wear resistance and toughness,” the Robit spokesperson said. “A bit’s value is measured over the full mining cycle, in metres drilled, bit changes avoided, and the consistency with which drilling supports the work that follows.” AM

AUSTRALIANMINING 26 SEPTEMBER 2026

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Holcz noted Simandou and Rhodes Ridge operations present significant opportunities.

Rio’s next iron ore chapter Australian Mining was on hand to hear Rio Tinto’s updated iron ore strategy that looks beyond the next decade.

io Tinto’s iron ore business is looking beyond the next production cycle, with major developments positioning the company to respond to changing demand, declining grades and the depletion of existing global supply. Speaking at the Melbourne Mining Club, Rio Tinto chief executive iron ore Matthew Holcz outlined the scale of the opportunity presented by the company’s Pilbara resource base, as well as the potential of its two major undeveloped assets – Rhodes Ridge in Western Australia and Simandou in Guinea. According to Holcz, Rhodes Ridge represents one of the most significant

opportunities within Rio Tinto’s existing iron ore portfolio. The company has approved a $US190 million ($269 million) pre-feasibility study for the project, with work expected to run through to 2029, followed by an investment decision and an ambition to deliver first ore from 2030. “If we look at the Pilbara, we believe Rhodes Ridge is the best undeveloped deposit in the Pilbara,” Holcz said. “It’s more than a deposit, it’s a province. To really see Rhodes Ridge, you do need a helicopter given the scale of it.” The project could ultimately provide Rio Tinto with the capacity to increase its Pilbara production towards 360 million

tonnes a year, while also improving the quality of its product mix through higher grades. “We’ve seen in the market a lot of the major producers’ grades have been declining year on year,” Holcz said. “With Rhodes Ridge in the Pilbara, and also we believe we’ve got the best undeveloped deposit outside of Australia in Simandou, the grades there are even higher.” Simandou adds another dimension to Rio Tinto’s growth strategy. The company has a 60 million tonne annual production share, providing an additional source of high-grade iron ore outside Australia.

Images: The Melbourne Mining Club

Holcz addressed The Melbourne Mining Club at a recent luncheon at Melbourne Town Hall.

AUSTRALIANMINING 28 SEPTEMBER 2026

Together, Rhodes Ridge and Simandou provide Rio Tinto with two major opportunities to add supply at a time when Holcz believes the global market is entering a period where replacement supply will become increasingly important for future operations.

Demand beyond China

While China remains central to the global iron ore market, Holcz said Rio Tinto expects Chinese consumption to remain relatively stable through to 2030 before experiencing a modest decline. The more significant growth opportunity, he said, is emerging elsewhere, particularly in India and other markets across the global south. “China is certainly close to peak capacity and we expect it to be pretty stable in terms of consumption to 2030, with some slight decline after that, but we’re also seeing increased consumption in the global south, notably India, which is growing at around five per cent a year,” he said. Rio Tinto expects Indian iron ore consumption to double between now and 2040, with the country potentially becoming a net importer by 2035. That demand outlook is one reason Holcz remains confident in the longerterm fundamentals of the commodity, despite ongoing discussion around China’s property sector, steel production and the increasing use of scrap steel. Holcz said the industry’s need for new supply is likely to be driven increasingly by depletion rather than outright growth in demand. Over the past decade, he said the global market required around 800 million tonnes of new iron ore supply, with slightly more than half required to meet increasing demand and slightly less than half replacing depleted resources. Looking towards the next decade, he expects another 800 million tonnes of new supply will be required, but with most of

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

that volume needed to replace existing ore bodies approaching the end of their productive lives. For Rio Tinto, that creates an opportunity to leverage its existing resource base while bringing new projects into production at a time when supply replacement is becoming a more significant consideration.

A resource measured in decades

The long-term nature of Rio Tinto’s iron ore opportunity is reflected in the company’s approach to its Pilbara operations, which this year reach their 60th anniversary. The first train left the Tom Price mine for Dampier in 1966, marking the beginning of an operation that has since grown into one of the world’s major iron ore production hubs. Holcz said the anniversary provides an opportunity to recognise the people, communities, Traditional Owners, suppliers and customers that contributed to the development of the Pilbara, while also looking towards the next phase of the business. “We’re investing $16 billion over the next three years to sustain our current hubs, and then we have Rhodes Ridge coming after that,” Holcz said. “We are very conscious of our contribution there and how we can look forward as well.”

For Holcz, the significance of the resource base extends well beyond the next decade. Rio Tinto’s iron ore assets are measured in decades, providing the company with a long-term platform from which to invest, develop technology and maintain production. “Certainly for us, looking forward on those time horizons, it is a great opportunity we have with our resource base,” he said. That long-term perspective is increasingly relevant as Rio Tinto balances investment between the Pilbara, Canada and Guinea, while also competing for capital with its copper, aluminium and lithium businesses. Holcz said the competition for capital is ultimately positive for the company and its shareholders but acknowledged that Australia needs to remain competitive in attracting investment. “We do need taxation settings that are competitive internationally as capital is becoming a lot more mobile and competition is a lot higher,” he said. “We do need industrial relations settings where we can deliver productivity, and we do need regulation that’s not just effective to high standards but efficient.”

From the Pilbara to the global iron ore market Holcz brings a long operational history to the role, having spent 19 years with Rio Tinto.

It’s understood Rio Tinto’s iron ore supply is still being measured in decades, supporting global supply demands.

His connection to the Pilbara began much earlier, having attended primary school in Newman and high school in Karratha before leaving home at 17. He joined Rio Tinto while living in London after initially being offered a sixweek contract during a company hiring freeze – emplotment that became a nearly two-decade career spanning operational and leadership positions, including head of Pilbara operations before his appointment as chief executive iron ore. Now responsible for Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations across Australia, Canada and Guinea, Holcz is overseeing a portfolio that combines established assets with some of the company’s most significant growth opportunities.

With Rhodes Ridge and Simandou potentially adding substantial volumes of higher-grade iron ore, and global demand increasingly influenced by markets beyond China, Holcz’s outlook is centred on the longevity of the commodity and the ability of major producers to replace resources as existing mines mature. For Rio Tinto, the message is clear: the iron ore opportunity is not defined solely by today’s production figures. With a resource base measured in decades and major undeveloped assets waiting in the wings, the company is positioning its iron ore business for a market that Holcz believes will continue to require substantial new supply well into the future. AM

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MINE WASTE

Building a global metals hub strategy An environmental remediation challenge has evolved into a critical minerals opportunity for NVRO Metals. That process led to the NVRO Process, which uses a low-temperature, lowpressure hydrometallurgical flowsheet to treat mine waste, tailings and complex polymetallic sulphidic materials. Valuable metals are recovered from a pregnant leach solution into saleable products, while the process stabilises environmental liabilities and reduces acid mine drainage by more than 95 per cent. Over the last year, NVRO has focused heavily on optimisation, combining digital process modelling with engineering validation to stress-test the process. Denysschen said using digital twin technology provided greater visibility into the reactions occurring throughout the flowsheet. “That gave us an unbelievable amount of visibility and transparency on the variety of reactions that take place at various stages of the process,” he said. “It gave us the ability to optimise all of those reactions, and that’s really what the secret sauce of the NVRO process is.” Repeated client campaigns demonstrated the process could recover a broader range of metals than NVRO had initially targeted. “We achieved 99 per cent and 98 per cent recovery of gold and silver respectively, and that’s kind of where we were focused,” Denysschen said.

“But what we realised is we can dissolve all metals into a pregnant leach solution. We used to be called Enviro Gold Global, and we decided to rebrand the name to NVRO Metals – we’re solving problems across the suite of metals.”

Browns accelerates the strategy Confidence in the technology coincided with an opportunity to acquire the former Browns oxide project near Darwin, with existing infrastructure and permitting making it an attractive proposition. “In the case of the old Browns oxide project, we’ve got 80 per cent of the equipment we need installed and permitted,” Denysschen said. “That’s advanced our schedule by at least four years and it’s probably saved us around $100 million.” The initial phase will focus on a conventional heap leach and solvent extraction-electrowinning operation producing copper cathode and cobalt and nickel hydroxide generating near-term cash flow, with plans to then incorporate proprietary technology to process more complex feedstocks. Chief executive officer Grant Freeman said the Browns opportunity emerged at an ideal stage in NVRO’s development. “The timing couldn’t have been better,” he said.

The Browns acquisition also advances NVRO’s preferred commercial model of establishing centralised metals hubs capable of aggregating feedstocks from multiple sources. “We had a couple of pathways that we investigated, one of which is project development with clients, so that continues,” Denysschen said. “The other was establishing centralised hubs where we could access and aggregate multiple feedstocks. That is the concept we’re pushing ahead with and able to accelerate because our destiny is in our hands.” Freeman believes Darwin’s geographic position gives the model global potential. “If you rotate the Earth and make Darwin the centre of it, it opens up the whole of Africa, into the Middle East, across China, and into all of Asia,” he said. “You’ve got the whole of North America and South America all within shipping distance for concentrates.” That positioning is already underpinning discussions with international customers, with a memorandum of understanding signed with a customer – Hecla – in Alaska. Denysschen said Hecla’s Greens Creek site in Alaska is about 7400 nautical miles from Darwin, compared with approximately 10,500 nautical miles for

Images: NVRO Metals

ver the past five years, NVRO Metals has developed a proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure hydrometallurgical process designed to recover valuable metals from mine waste while addressing one of mining’s most persistent environmental liabilities: acid mine drainage. Now, following the acquisition of the Browns copper oxide project near Darwin, NVRO believes it is nearing the commercial rollout of that technology. The company is transforming the site in the Northern Territory into the first of what it hopes will become a global network of metals hubs capable of processing historic mine waste and complex polymetallic feedstocks from Australia and overseas. Backed by existing infrastructure, supportive government policy and funding programs aimed at solving for a lack of processing capability amidst a backdrop of a growing demand for critical minerals, NVRO sees Browns as the point where years of research move into commercial execution. NVRO chief operating officer Royston Denysschen told Australian Mining the company set out five years ago to recover valuable metals while solving the longstanding environmental challenge of acid mine drainage.

NVRO Metals acquired the Browns copper oxide project near Darwin.

AUSTRALIANMINING 31 SEPTEMBER 2026

MINE WASTE

Existing infrastructure at the site provides NVRO with a headstart.

The company has signed a Heads of Agreement with commodity trading group Transamine covering future copper cathode sales, together with prepayment and working capital facilities extending through to production.

Critical minerals tailwinds

NT open for business

The Browns development also aligns with the Northern Territory’s push to expand its critical minerals sector. Freeman described the Territory as “open for business”, pointing to developments Arafura Rare Earths’ Nolans project.

“We’ve been engaged across the government through all the divisions from an operational perspective, they’ve been absolutely fantastic to deal with,” he said. Denysschen said collaboration with government agencies had been particularly important as NVRO works towards restarted operations at Browns. “The experience that we’ve had with the NT government departments really is what proves that they’re open for business,” he said. “The level of engagement and responsiveness to questions, detailed technical issues and the support in getting things moving.” NVRO’s immediate priority is progressing Browns through the regulatory process and bringing the

initial heap leach and solvent extractionelectrowinning operation into production. “The key issue that we’re focused on is getting the site into operation on the heap leach solvent extraction electrowinning to produce copper cathode and ... cobalt and nickel hydroxide on site,” Denysschen said. NVRO has divided its business into two operating streams to support that strategy. One stream will manage the Darwin metals hub and future processing operations, while the NVRO Process division, led by chief technology officer Arthur Gooch, will continue developing and adapting the technology for additional feedstocks and projects. Against this backdrop, commercial agreements are also taking shape.

Image: 169169/stock.adobe.com

the established Chile-to-China copper concentrate route – providing an attractive shipping proposition. NVRO also sees potential for future hubs in established mining regions including Arizona and Canada’s SudburyTimmins district, where historic sulphidic tailings could provide feedstocks carrying metals that were either difficult to recover or of little economic interest when they were originally processed.

NVRO’s transition towards commercialisation comes as the policy environment around critical minerals and mine waste changes rapidly, seen through governments increasingly looking at tailings as a potential source of critical minerals . “Recovering metals from tailings is what the company set out to do, and that’s become central to government policy over the last two or three years,” Denysschen said. “We kind of feel like the luckiest guys in the room because these are the tailwinds and it’s like the story is being scripted for us.” NVRO also believes that the maturity of its technology gives it an advantage as governments look to direct funding towards new processing technologies. The company says the NVRO Process is currently at Technology Readiness Level 7 and expects to reach Level 8 by the end of the year. For NVRO, the Browns project provides the foundation to demonstrate that technology at commercial scale. If the Darwin model proves successful, the company said it intends to replicate the approach through additional metals hubs that are capable of aggregating feedstocks and recovering valuable critical minerals from legacy mine waste around the world. AM

The Darwin ports provide NVRO with ready access to global markets.

AUSTRALIANMINING 32 SEPTEMBER 2026

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Images: Ramelius Resources

The Cue project, from which ore is trucked for processing at Mt Magnet.

Never Never, bigger than ever Ramelius Resources’ spectacular 996g/t gold intersection captured attention, but its greater significance lies in what it says about the company’s plan to transform Mt Magnet into one of Australia’s largest gold production hubs.

ew exploration results command attention quite like 996 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold, but several weeks after Ramelius Resources reported that exceptional grade from its Never Never deposit, the more important question is not how impressive the number looks in a headline. Instead, focus is being placed on what the result could mean for an underground mine already supplying ore to the company’s Mt Magnet processing hub. The intersection – 3.38m at 996g/t gold from 101.6m – was accompanied by 13m at 34.5g/t from 151m, 8.8m at 20.2g/t from 119m and 16.1m at 14g/t from 131m. Together, the results provided further support for the geological model underpinning Never Never and Ramelius’ confidence in the high-grade orebody acquired through its $2.4 billion takeover of Spartan Resources, completed in July 2025. The deal combined Ramelius’ operating and processing experience with Spartan’s

exploration success, giving the enlarged company a platform from which to pursue annual production of more than 500,000 ounces by 2029–30. Never Never was already the centrepiece of said platform, where in early 2024, it was reported that the deposit contained 952,000 ounces and that Spartan was drilling to expand and de-risk the discovery. By October 2025, Ramelius had defined a Never Never underground mineral resource of 7.5 million tonnes (Mt) at 8.8g/t for 2.1 million ounces, supporting a maiden ore reserve of 7Mt at 7.3g/t for 1.6 million ounces. This progression from discovery to reserve has since been followed by production, as Ramelius delivered the first Never Never ore to Mt Magnet in February 2026, only 202 days after completing the Spartan transaction. The first underground stope was fired the following month, while commercial production was declared from April,

earlier than envisaged in the company’s original five-year plan. The June quarter offered the first substantial demonstration of what Never Never could contribute. Underground ore production more than doubled to 115,000 tonnes at 5.95g/t, while Mt Magnet processed 146,000 tonnes of Never Never ore grading 5.37g/t. Daily metallurgical recoveries of 82–84 per cent also exceeded the 81 per cent assumed for processing through the plant before its expansion. Ramelius consequently finished 2025– 26 with a 40 per cent quarter-on-quarter increase in production to 53,466 ounces. Full-year output reached 192,182 ounces, within guidance for a sixth consecutive year, while the company generated $138.3 million in underlying free cash flow during the quarter and closed June with $649.6 million in cash and gold. Those figures give the 996g/t intersection a different context, showcasing that infill drilling does not

AUSTRALIANMINING 34 SEPTEMBER 2026

automatically translate into new reserves, and an isolated spectacular hit is not the same as a mine-wide grade. However, high-grade material that is converted into a mine plan can improve the blend delivered to Mt Magnet, displace lower-value feed and increase gold output without requiring a corresponding rise in processed tonnes. That relationship between grade and processing capacity sits at the heart of Ramelius’ strategy. The company plans to expand Mt Magnet from its existing 1.9Mt/year configuration to a nameplate capacity of 5Mt/ year, with an initial operating rate of about 4.3Mt/year. The expanded plant will use a dedicated, finer-grind circuit for Dalgaranga ore and a new 3Mt/year circuit for other Mt Magnet feed sources. Ramelius previously estimated that using one expanded plant, rather than restarting Dalgaranga’s existing facility, could deliver $100 million in capital

savings, $175 million in operating savings and $720 million in cash-tax benefits. The approach also avoids tying up as much as $200 million in working capital for a stand-alone Dalgaranga restart. Bolstering Ramelius’s case, Never Never is not the only potential source of higher-grade feed. At Dalgaranga, drilling at the Four Pillars and West Winds areas of Gilbey’s Underground returned results including 1.6m at 130g/t gold and 3.7m at 38.2g/t. Ramelius is updating the mineral resource to support a pre-feasibility study examining Gilbey’s as another underground mine within the Dalgaranga operation. The wider portfolio is also yielding options, with Galaxy having returned intersections of 20.2m at 40.7g/t from 189.1m, including 11m at 71.7g/t, while Franks Tower produced 14.76m at 54.5g/t, including 0.52m at 740g/t. At Cue, drilling at Lena returned 19.7m at 5.73g/t and 9m at 12.9g/t, encouraging Ramelius to plan further drilling, a resource update and a scoping study during 2026–27. Executive general manager of exploration Peter Ruzicka said the expanded 2025–26 exploration program had identified high-grade targets capable of providing near-term upside to the company’s five-year outlook by displacing lower-grade material. Ramelius spent $103.9 million on exploration and resource definition during the financial year and has budgeted another $90–110 million for approximately 240,000m of drilling in 2026–27. The investment reflects a broader reshaping of Ramelius, with its $300 million sale of the non-core Edna May hub to Forrestania Resources. Edna May produced about 760,000 ounces for Ramelius between 2018 and 2025, but its divestment would leave the company concentrated on Mt Magnet– Dalgaranga and the Rebecca–Roe development in the Goldfields. Rebecca–Roe provides the second major leg of the 500,000-ounce strategy, and its definitive feasibility study outlined an ore reserve of 25Mt at 1.4g/t for 1.1 million ounces, and average production of approximately 130,000 ounces per year. Construction is planned from 2027–28, subject to approvals, with first production targeted for 2028–29 and nameplate output the following year. Through this foundation, the 996g/t result is best used as evidence rather than the investment case on its own. Ramelius must convert exploration success into reserves, deliver the Mt Magnet expansion and maintain recoveries as Dalgaranga volumes rise. However, as Never Never is already in production, several underground targets are advancing, and a large drilling program is underway, the company has more than a single opportunity to place higher-value ore at the centre of its growth plan. AM

The 996g/t gold intersection underscores Ramelius’ plan to transform Mt Magnet into one of Australia’s largest gold production hubs.

L–R: Ramelius COO Tim Hewitt, Ramelius MD Mark Zeptner and former deputy chairman Simon Lawson underground at Dalgaranga.

AUSTRALIANMINING 35 SEPTEMBER 2026

Image: .shock/stock.adob.com

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

BEYOND ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION BECAUSE ‘LIKE NEW’ IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FIELD EXPERIENCE ENGINEERING INSIGHT PRECISION ENGINEERING

SYSTEM RELIABILITY

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TRANSPORT XXX

When every flight counts Air Charter Service coordinates complex aviation programs for Australia’s mining industry, helping keep workers, equipment and production on schedule.

ACS’s ability to deliver these services provides mining operations one contract, one point of contact and one reporting framework covering everything moving in and out of site. That approach has helped shape the company’s growth in Australia over the last 10 years, as it has adapted to meet the industry’s changing requirements. “What has changed over that time is how deeply embedded we have become in the operational fabric of our clients’ programs,” Rogers said. “In the early years, we were just sourcing aircraft and today we are designing and managing entire aviation programs – from carrier selection and contract negotiation through to real-time disruption management and monthly performance reporting.” Much of this shift has been driven by the change in perception of aviation. While mining operations would traditionally aim to secure the lowest price per seat, Rogers said there is now a greater focus on program performance, cost transparency and the impact of unexpected interruptions. These are all key factors in ACS’s tailored aviation programs. As mining companies have placed greater emphasis on the performance of their aviation programs, the limitations of traditional flight arrangements have become increasingly apparent.

Most mining companies rely on one of two types of aviation arrangements, either having a direct contract with a regional airline or charter operator, or they use a broker on a transactional basis, allowing them to call when they need a flight, get a quote and book. Though these models work well in straightforward conditions, according to Rogers, they fall short in what happens around the flight. “When a technical fault grounds an aircraft on a rotation day, the airline’s priority is their fleet and their crew obligations,” Rogers said. “Your workforce sitting at the terminal is a problem for your travel coordinator to solve. There is no recovery plan, no alternative aircraft pre-identified, no downstream coordination to notify the bus company and the camp that arrivals are delayed.” ACS closes this gap by acting as a charter management company, coordinating entire aviation programs rather than simply arranging individual flights, allowing the company to anticipate disruptions, coordinate recovery plans and provide detailed performance insights. Monthly reporting on the carrier shows on-time performance, cost-per-seat trends, utilisation rates and the reasons for unexpected interruptions – helping mining operations understand whether they got value from what they spent.

Images: Air Charter Service

oving large fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforces to some of the most remote mine sites in the world is among the Australian resources sector’s most significant logistical challenges, particularly when unexpected disruptions threaten production schedules. It is this type of challenge that Air Charter Service (ACS) has specialised in solving for more than a decade. “Mining operations are built around one constraint – people need to be where the work is when the work starts – but commercial aviation can’t always solve that,” ACS Australia charter sales director Melissa Rogers told Australian Mining. “Schedules don’t align with rotation cycles, routes don’t serve remote airstrips, and when a commercial flight fails you’re at the back of a re-booking queue behind every other passenger on that service.” With more than 40 offices around the world, including in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, ACS coordinates the cargo, group and private charter flights on which mining operations rely, whilst also managing cargo, group and private charter services under a single aviation program. In addition, ACS manages cargo, group and private charter services, enabling critical mining equipment to reach site faster, group charter ensures reliable FIFO and crew rotations on remote sites, and private charter handles executive travel and medical evacuations.

ACS Australia charter sales director Melissa Rogers

The value of this managed model is significant if something goes wrong. “A single rotation failure that delays 80 workers by half a shift carries a production cost that can run well into six figures,” Rogers said. “Without a managed recovery capability, that cost is absorbed. With it, the recovery is already underway before it becomes a production issue.” For remote mining operations, this provides greater visibility, accountability and confidence around aviation decisions. “We aggregate the capability – the compliance infrastructure, the recovery network, the technology platform, the operational oversight – and apply it to each client’s program as a single managed service,” Rogers said. “The longer we work with a site, the more we know about it and that knowledge compounds over time and results in better outcomes for performance and the operation’s bottom line.” AM

ACS coordinates workforce transport that keeps mining operations productive and on schedule AUSTRALIANMINING 37 SEPTEMBER 2026

MONITORING

Reliable measured values From extraction through to processing, VEGA sensors are helping a Polish open-pit mine maintain visibility and control across critical stages of its operation.

The rock is crushed and ground, before being transported away on conveyor belts, with the entire process continuously monitored.

Image: VEGA

t the Tłumaczów open-pit mine in Lower Silesia, Poland, operator REGNARS is transforming melaphyre, a volcanic rock, into highquality aggregates used across asphalt surfaces, specialist concretes and railway infrastructure. Before melaphyre can be transformed into a finished product, it needs to undergo a series of processing stages – the rock is first blasted, crushed and ground before being transported via conveyor belts or lorries. Throughout this process, material levels are continuously monitored at key points, including jaw crushers, cone crushers, vertical grinding mills and buffer silos. Previously, the operation relied on ultrasonic probes for many of these level measurement applications. However, measurement errors occurred regularly, and the sensors struggled to withstand the harsh conditions found within the mine environment. The inability to visually verify whether the sensors were functioning correctly created an additional challenge, with manual inspections introducing unnecessary risks for personnel and impacting occupational safety. As a result, REGNARS was seeking a level measurement solution that could deliver accurate and reliable performance despite high levels of dust, strong vibrations from crushing equipment and exposure to changing weather conditions. The company ultimately selected compact VEGAPULS BASIC level sensors to meet these demands. The measuring conditions in the melaphyre mine in Tłumaczów are extremely tough, with a huge amount of dust and bone-jarring vibration present in the crushers, and even occasional rockfalls. Compounding this further are outdoor environmental factors such as wind, rain and intense sunlight. All of this had to be considered when selecting the right measuring instrument. VEGA’s 80-gigahertz (GHz) radar technology enables non-contact measurement, allowing the sensor to remain safely away from the process and reducing the risk of damage. Unlike other measurement technologies, radar sensors are unaffected by temperature fluctuations, vacuum or high pressure, and continue to operate reliably in environments where dust and material buildup can impact other instruments. The VEGAPULS BASIC series is also maintenance-free and designed to provide measurements around the clock.

Its narrow beam angle allows the 80-GHz radar signal to focus precisely on the measurement point, while built-in signal processing filters out interference caused by dust and buildup on the antenna. With a fast response time and reliable performance, the compact sensors support continuous process monitoring in even the harshest conditions. “Our VEGAPULS BASIC series impresses users with its compactness and low price. I was confident that these sensors would meet all the challenges of this application,” VEGA sales engineer Krystian Grecki said. “We then decided to simply test them under the conditions in the mine in Tłumaczów. In the event of any anomalies, we could still have used PRO series sensors, such as the new VEGAPULS 6X radar probe. In the end, however, the VEGAPULS BASIC probes worked very well.” At the time, the mine had not previously used VEGA sensors, so managers welcomed the opportunity to trial the technology before committing to the purchase. The testing process

was designed to determine whether the sensors could withstand the demanding site conditions, measure the material effectively and deliver the level of accuracy required for the operation. Following the successful trial, the instruments were installed and commissioned by VEGA’s Schiltach team. The testing phase also allowed operators to assess the sensors’ overall functionality, handling and adjustment, from configuration and data display through to remote access outside the application. The compact VEGAPULS sensors met the mine’s requirements and gained the confidence of site personnel. With the trial proving successful, the melaphyre mine in Tłumaczów adopted the VEGAPULS solution across several measuring points, providing reliable level measurement while also delivering a cost-effective approach to ongoing operation and maintenance. The compact VEGAPULS C 21 and VEGAPULS C 23 sensors are currently being used in the buffer silos, while the VEGAPULS 11 and VEGAPULS 31 devices with local displays are used in the jaw and cone crushers.

AUSTRALIANMINING 38 SEPTEMBER 2026

The VEGA sensors were installed by VICOTEL from Wałbrzych, which specialises in carrying out such work for open-pit mining companies. Thanks to the wide range of available mounting accessories and brackets, the sensors could be installed quickly and efficiently. Beyond reliable measurement, how the instruments worked mattered a lot to the mine. That covered easy installation and set-up, how the data is displayed, and the option to adjust the sensors remotely. The probes and VEGA controllers can be set up from a smartphone or tablet over Bluetooth. In rough conditions, hazardous areas or hard-to-reach spots, Bluetooth makes set-up, display and diagnostics much easier and safer. The VEGA instrument data can also be saved to the cloud and later retrieved just by entering its serial number, which makes subsequent maintenance work easier. For the employees at the melaphyre mine, this was another reason to opt for VEGA sensors. The sensors have been installed at Tłumaczów since summer 2023, working smoothly and delivering reliable process control. AM

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PROCESSING EQUIPMENT

The gold standard McLanahan is helping gold miners optimise processing performance with equipment designed around an operation’s specific requirements.

he journey from gold-bearing ore to a final product is anything but straightforward. Behind every gold operation is a processing circuit where crushing, sampling and thickening equipment must work together to keep material moving efficiently – and with each operation featuring its own characteristics, the luxury of a one-size-fits-all solution is rarely available. That’s why McLanahan works with gold miners to design and manufacture custom-made minerals processing equipment for the specific demands of each operation. From crushing and sizing to sampling and dewatering, each piece of McLanahan equipment aims to improve the processing circuit and recover the maximum amount of valuable ore in the process. McLanahan has applied this approach for almost 200 years, providing processing solutions for a variety of mining operations all over the world to improve recovery, efficiency and overall profitability. Understanding the application is central to this approach, McLanahan works closely with customers to determine what each processing circuit requires. “We always start with an understanding of the application; what the customer is trying to do and how they’re going to do it,” McLanahan product manager for sampling systems Adam Orner said.

“We try to gather as much information as we can from the customer to put together a sampling solution that best meets the requirements of the application.” One project that put this approach on full display involved a Western Australian gold miner that wanted to improve its product. At the time it approached McLanahan, the mine was processing 1000 tonnes of gold ore per hour through high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), which tended to create a flaky product. Looking to achieve a more cubical product, the mine enquired about adding a sizer to its process, along with a sampling system for collecting the discharge being sent to the agglomerator, so the ore’s size and quality could be analysed. Meeting those requirements presented several design challenges, particularly given the limited space available around the existing process. “Overhead clearances were pretty tight for the project, so we had to stay within a certain vertical clearance so we could fit within the project envelope,” Orner said. In addition to height limitations, the primary sampler also had to fit the outlet of the sizer. McLanahan responded with a two-stage falling stream sampling system, where material is collected from a main process flow that is in a free-falling condition, such as at the discharge of a conveyor.

McLanahan designs and manufactures custom-made minerals processing equipment

The system was designed with primary and secondary samplers, helping extract increments from the sizer product stream and discharging them onto a vibratory feeder before delivering them to the secondary sampler. Reject material can then be returned to the agglomerator feed chute and reintroduced into the process flow. “Ultimately, we helped them collect representative primary samples and secondary samples, so that they can be taken to the lab to process them and develop data for making decisions with their process,” Orner said. The same focus on application-specific design was evident in a separate project involving a gold operation in Victoria. As part of a series of upgrades within the operation, McLanahan provided a solution for managing gold leach tailings in the form of a thickener. Final delivery took just 14 weeks, with the thickener designed in-house at

McLanahan’s New South Wales location, while its tank, support structures and bridge were manufactured locally. That combination of in-house engineering and local manufacturing was central to McLanahan’s approach, according to global product manager Richard Williams. “We felt that a local manufacture and relatively low overall delivered cost solution would be best fit for the client,” he said. “Modular design provides the flexibility to manufacture in more locations and provides more certainty around timesensitive projects. “Having local engineering capability and support on both sides of the equation made the engagement much more efficient. “This was through being able to review process data and confirm the specific thickener operation and construction requirements.” AM

Images: McLanahan

McLanahan provided a sizer to a mine to help it achieve a more cubical product

AUSTRALIANMINING 41 SEPTEMBER 2026

GOVERNMENT

Queensland backs mining growth With new funding, exploration opportunities and government support, Queensland is seeking to attract investment and diversify its resources industry.

ueensland is ‘putting its money where its mouth is’ as it looks to accelerate the growth of its resources sector, from emerging critical minerals through to traditional mining powerhouses such as copper and coal. Speaking to Australian Mining at the recent Queensland Mining Expo in Mackay, Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the state was entering an exciting period of growth, with critical minerals set to play an increasingly important role. The interview coincided with the release of Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026–30, a four-year strategy designed to accelerate the extraction, processing and export of critical minerals while positioning Queensland as a globally recognised supplier supporting secure and resilient international supply chains. It follows the Queensland Government’s recent $146 million commitment in the budget to unlock new critical minerals opportunities and support projects through the extraction, processing

and export stages. For Last, creating the confidence needed to turn Queensland’s mineral potential into investment is fundamental. “We are really achieving some outstanding results in reducing timeframes and red tape and increasing that investor confidence,” he said. “We’re now seeing that reflected through what’s coming through my door, not just from Australian companies but international companies.” According to Last, Queensland’s stable investment environment is proving particularly attractive to international investors who are prepared to look beyond short-term commodity cycles with their investment. “When you talk to Japanese investors, for example, about a vision to develop our critical minerals industry, we can give them that certainty and stability because they don’t talk in years; they talk in decades,” Last said. “They want to know that when they invest in Queensland, they’re safe for 30 to 40 years, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Critical minerals momentum

International interest has accelerated over the past 12 months, according to Last, supported in part by the US–Australia Critical Minerals Framework signed in October 2025. A Queensland trade mission to North America included a visit to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto and meetings in Washington. “We did a trade mission to North America last year. We went to PDAC in Toronto, and the level of interest in our critical minerals is phenomenal, and so we want to build on that,” Last said. That momentum has continued. “We’re now meeting with the US Consul General almost on a fortnightly basis,” Last said. “That’s how interested they are in doing business with us.” Officials from the United States government recently travelled to Brisbane to examine Queensland opportunities in critical minerals including copper, zinc and cobalt.

At the invitation of the Queensland Exploration Council and American Chamber of Commerce, the state’s mining prospects were presented to representatives from the US Development Finance Corporation, US Department of Commerce and US Consul General Jeremy Cornforth at the Critical Minerals Investment Pathways event. Queensland is also looking to build the next generation of projects through exploration. The state government recently opened six exploration sites for competitive tender, including two areas northeast of Julia Creek covering approximately 269km² in one of the world’s richest known vanadium resource regions. Four potential coal exploration sites covering around 235km² across the Bowen and Surat basins have also been released, alongside 12 petroleum and gas areas totalling more than 7000km² across the Bowen–Surat and Cooper–Eromanga basins. “Exploration is where every major project begins and without it, there is no pipeline of future supply,” Last said.

Image: Henri Koskinen/stock.adobe.com

Northwest Queensland holds one of the world’s largest deposits of vanadium.

AUSTRALIANMINING 42 SEPTEMBER 2026

GOVERNMENT

Image: Chris Ison/stock.adobe.com

The Mount Isa copper smelter has received State and Federal Government backing.

And while critical minerals are attracting growing attention, Last said Queensland’s mining ambitions extend across its diverse resources base. Despite tensions between government and industry over Queensland’s coal royalty regime, Last said demand for the state’s coal remained strong. “We’re saying to the coal sector, dig up more coal because the demand is there. Japan, India, Indonesia are all looking for more coal,” he said. “An Indonesian company came to us recently saying, ‘where can we buy some coal mines?’. “How refreshing is it to have companies coming to us now saying we want to invest. It’s been a long time since we’ve had that.”

Building more at home

Attracting investment into new mines is only part of the strategy.

Queensland’s next objective is to capture more value from its resources through domestic processing and manufacturing. “We really want to develop that processing capability, that manufacturing capability in Queensland,” Last said. “Not just, dig the ore out and ship it offshore. We want to do onshore development, and that’s the next frontier, and we’re putting a lot of time and energy right now into that space. “That’s where the jobs are – and that’s where the economic prosperity is.” The critical minerals strategy is designed to support that ambition by combining Queensland’s resources with its established processing and refining capabilities, mining expertise and skilled workforce. It also seeks to strengthen sovereign industrial capability and establish Queensland as a preferred destination

for investment as international supply chains diversify. The state’s support for existing processing infrastructure demonstrates the Queensland government is prepared to back that ambition financially. The Queensland and Australian governments last year announced a $600 million support package for Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Refinery. A transformation study has been carried out as part of that funding, with a final report expected by the end of the year. “We’ve put our money where our mouth is,” Last said. “In collaboration with the Federal Government, we’ve stumped up funds to secure the future of the copper smelter at Mount Isa, as well as Phosphate Hill. That firms up the future of the copper refinery in Townsville, and that’s important.” For Last, maintaining processing capability is integral to a broader effort to

Image: markhiggins/stock.adobe.com

The Port of Gladstone in Central Queensland is a major global hub for coal exports.

AUSTRALIANMINING 43 SEPTEMBER 2026

build Queensland’s manufacturing base. When he took on the portfolio, Last said he regarded manufacturing as a “sleeping giant” that needed greater recognition and more proactive government engagement. “We started delving into it, and it comes down to support and recognition, going out there and being proactive with the manufacturing sector,” he said. “How do we take this forward? Where are our strengths? We’re now playing to that.” He said it was encouraging to see how technology is reshaping manufacturers already operating across the state. “I visit some of these manufacturing businesses, and I see how they’re adopting technology and robotics and artificial intelligence, and you can see these businesses have got the message – they’re looking to the future,” Last said. The combination of minerals, processing capability and manufacturing is central to Queensland’s attempt to position itself for the next phase of resources investment. While critical minerals are providing new opportunities, the state’s strategy is deliberately broader – spanning emerging commodities such as vanadium, the copper needed for electrification and established exports such as coal. For Last, the opportunity is not simply to extract more of those resources, but to attract the capital needed to develop them, process more of them locally and connect Queensland mining more closely with an expanding manufacturing sector across the state. “Everyone now is starting to feel that excitement about those opportunities and they’re jumping on board,” he said. AM

MINERAL PROCESSING

Increasing processing capability and capacity A partnership between Mineral Technologies and Nagrom has created a new piloting facility for next-generation critical minerals processing. and a broad range of other industrial minerals, with equipment and services designed around improving recovery and processing performance. MT’s metallurgical expertise has driven success across the globe, with an excellent track record across Australasia, Africa, North and South America. “I think people probably know us as the ‘fine mineral people’, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore,” MT director project development Dan Webber told Australian Mining. “Recent projects have allowed us to strategically move up the size range, giving us the ability to process coarse hard rock materials such as iron ore, manganese and cassiterite. This increased capability means we can support more parts of the flowsheets we develop, driving up the value we offer and increasing our clients’ certainty of project outcomes.”

From testing to scale

This strategic move is emphasised through a new partnership with metallurgical and analytical services provider Nagrom in Kelmscott, Perth, with the establishment of a new pilot processing facility. Spanning more than 2000m2, the facility complements Nagrom’s existing capabilities in sample

management and characterisation, feed preparation, comminution, bench and pilot-scale physical, flotation and hydrometallurgical separation. At the centre of the new capability is a spiral separator rig capable of operating in full open circuit across multiple processing stages, including MT’s flagship MG12 spiral. The same rig incorporates a four-pole wet high intensity magnetic separator (WHIMS) unit, providing a scalable platform for processing applications including mineral sands, iron ore, silica sand, chromite and wolframite. “The benefit of all of this is that we can take our west coast and global clients from initial bench-top scale right through to full-scale processing all under one roof,” Webber said. Another highlight of the project includes a new DMS rig – which MT describes as one of the largest of its kind. “Much like the spiral rig, size matters,” Webber said. “And this new DMS rig can be run in an open circuit to give extremely reliable and most importantly scalable results. “Why this matters for DMS, relates to the size of the cyclone you use. The bigger the cyclone, the larger the feed size. Systems running smaller cyclones must

either omit coarse material from testing or crush it down. Either way, this will skew results and ultimately bring with it inaccuracy on scale up.” The Nagrom pilot system can process up to five tonnes per hour with a top feed size of 32mm, supporting a larger-scale testing platform. The partnership also aligns with MT’s broader integrated approach to mineral processing, offering services across three areas: geometallurgy, engineering & projects and equipment, with its geometallurgy capability incorporating geology and mining, metallurgical testing and flowsheet development. The Kelmscott facility adds another link between those capabilities, providing a physical environment where processing concepts can be tested, refined and scaled. On top of this, the facility meets key environmental, social and governance metrics often used to underpin projects. “It’s ISO9001 accredited and holds all relevant safety, management and environmental certifications,” Webber said. This new partnership represents an expansion of Western Australia’s mineral processing testing capability, while giving customers a more direct pathway from early-stage metallurgical work through to scalable processing solutions. AM Mineral Technologies and Nagrom have collaborated on a new processing facility.

Images: Mineral Technologies

ining operations sit at the forefront of innovation, and sometimes the best way to know what needs to change is not to look at the industry from the outside, but to experience it from within. From a humble beginning processing mineral sands on Australia’s east coast, Mineral Technologies (MT) provides solutions to the global mining sector spanning geology, process design, engineering and equipment. In the last year, more than 200 million tonnes of material will be processed through a MT designed plant. With more than 80 years of industry experience, the company focuses on helping, miners, processors, exploration companies and their investors recover greater value from complex ore bodies. In addition to its well-known gravity and magnetic separation equipment offerings, MT has new capabilities in dense media separation (DMS), flotation and hydraulic separation – enhancing its growing capabilities in geology and mining services, together with established flowsheet development, modular plant solutions and turnkey project delivery. The company works across commodities including mineral sands, iron ore, chrome, tin and tungsten

AUSTRALIANMINING 44 SEPTEMBER 2026

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SAFETY

Image: Swivelpole

Swivelpole enables polemounted equipment to be safely lowered to a walkway or platform level for maintenance

Keeping maintenance grounded Swivelpole is helping mining operations improve safety by eliminating the need to work at height on pole-mounted infrastructure.

ompared with haul trucks, excavators and processing equipment valued in the millions of dollars, pole-mounted assets such as lighting, CCTV cameras and communications systems can be easy to overlook on a mine site. Despite their smaller footprint, these systems are essential to safe and efficient operations. Ensuring they remain functional, however, can introduce its own set of maintenance challenges and safety risks, especially as routine inspections, repairs and replacements often require technicians to work at height. Australian company Swivelpole is helping change this traditional approach with its pole-lowering solutions, which eliminate the need to work high off the ground. By safely lowering pole-mounted equipment to a walkway or platform level, Swivelpole removes the need for ladders, scaffolding or elevated work platforms during routine maintenance and inspections. Additionally, the technology can be retrofitted to existing installations or built into new projects, making it suitable for any operation. While improving safety outcomes is the core focus, Swivelpole director Rob Pannekoek said the company’s solutions also provide other benefits.

“The solution also speeds up upgrades, maintenance and inspections, while offering long-term cost savings and a greater return on investment compared to traditional practices,” he said. Swivelpole’s continued growth has been supported by more than 25 years of experience delivering pole-lowering solutions in some of the world’s toughest environments, including at sites operated by many of the world’s leading mining companies. Until recently, all Australian orders have been dispatched from Swivelpole’s headquarters in Mandurah, Western Australia. However, growing demand across the eastern states has driven the need for a dedicated distribution hub closer to customers. “While the Mandurah facility has successfully supported customers across Australia, eastern states projects have relied on cross-country freight, which has increased delivery times and transport costs,” Pannekoek said. To better support these customers, Swivelpole has now opened its first east coast distribution centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, marking a major milestone in the company’s expanding national operations. By holding inventory locally, this new facility is already improving product

availability, delivery times and project support for customers across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. Pannekoek said the investment in the Newcastle distribution centre reflects Swivelpole’s long-term commitment to customers across the eastern states. “We’ve experienced strong growth in these markets over recent years, and establishing local inventory allows us to respond faster and provide an even higher level of service,” he said. “With standard product now stocked in Newcastle, orders for customers across the eastern states can be picked and dispatched locally, giving us greater flexibility for when project schedules change, or urgent maintenance requirements arise. “For asset owners, contractors and project teams across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, it means faster access to product and reduced freight costs.” In addition to warehousing and distribution, Swivelpole’s Newcastle facility offers a pre-electrical assembly service for lighting applications. This enables the company to supply lowering poles assembled with luminaires, mounting hardware, junction boxes and associated components before dispatch, rather than shipping the items separately for onsite configuration.

AUSTRALIANMINING 46 SEPTEMBER 2026

Pannekoek said reducing the amount of electrical assembly required on site helps streamline installation and minimise labour requirements, particularly on projects where electrical work must be undertaken by certified personnel or within scheduled shutdown windows. “Each pole leaves with the luminaire and mounting hardware fitted, the junction box and junction box plate installed, and all fastenings torqued to specification,” he said. “On site, the poles arrive ready to install, and the reduction in site labour is significant.” Each assembled unit is also individually tested and tagged before dispatch, with corresponding ‘test and tag’ documentation provided as part of a project-specific quality register. Pannekoek said maintaining these high standards has been central to Swivelpole’s continued investment in its operations to support its customers. “As more organisations invest in safer maintenance practices and modernise ageing infrastructure, we’re investing in the capability needed to support that demand,” he said. “We’re excited to become part of the Hunter Valley community and look forward to supporting customers across eastern Australia for many years to come.” AM

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MINING EQUIPMENT

Rocking a new breakthrough Rammer’s new compact rockbreaker cuts fuel use and carrier wear, backed by a dealer network built to keep rockbreakers running on remote Australian sites. than eight tonnes strapped into one of TRS’s transport frames, down to the E06, which hangs off excavators small enough to fit down a suburban driveway. “Rammer prides itself on continuous improvement and the E06 reflects that,” Leece said. “Its advanced design features, including the constant blow energy technology, idle blow protection, and a robust unified body structure, help lower operating costs and improve reliability in demanding applications.” The E06 hits just as hard on every blow regardless of what the carrier feeds it, stops cycling when there’s nothing under the tool, and holds together without tie rods to stretch or snap. While the E06 is a new innovation, Rammer’s experience in hydraulic rockbreakers stretches back to Finland in 1978, when the company introduced its first breaker and began a legacy of developing breaking equipment including the world’s largest rockbreaker. “Rammer rockbreakers have earned their reputation through a combination of engineering design, durable construction, and decades of performance in demanding mining, quarrying, demolition and construction environments,” Leece said. Of these applications, mining places some of the toughest demands on breaking equipment.

Images: Rammer

ammer has released a new compact rockbreaker built to cut fuel use, carrier wear and operating costs, the latest addition to a product range that includes some of the biggest rockbreakers working on Australian mine sites. The E06 sits at the small end of the range, built for the compact carriers found on construction, demolition and quarrying jobs, where a smaller machine still has to break more rock for less money. Many of those carriers belong to contractors who own one machine, quote their own jobs and fill every litre of fuel on their own books. A rockbreaker that reduces runtime and wear delivers a faster return on investment than less efficient alternatives. “The new E06 Rammer rockbreakers are designed to deliver exceptional performance in a compact package,” Total Rockbreaking Solutions (TRS) sales manager Adam Leece said. “The E06 combines an impressive power-to-weight ratio with advanced features that help operators get more done.” As a Perth-based company, TRS is Rammer’s authorised dealer for Western Australia and handles everything from compact breakers to the boom systems mounted at mine crushers, along with the servicing that keeps them running. The range includes rockbreakers like the 9033E, which tips the scales at more

The new Rammer E06 compact rockbreaker pairs a strong powerto-weight ratio with features designed to lower operating costs.

Mounted on a boom at the primary crusher – the first stage of the processing chain – a rockbreaker removes oversize material that could otherwise disrupt the feed. Even when the rockbreaker is not operating, trucks continue delivering

Rammer rockbreakers have built their reputation across mining, quarrying, demolition and construction work.

AUSTRALIANMINING 49 SEPTEMBER 2026

material and the crusher remains dependent on a consistent supply of feed. Maintaining this critical link in the processing chain is supported by authorised Rammer dealers across every Australian state and territory, as well as Papua New Guinea (PNG), Australia’s nearest northern neighbour. Alongside TRS in Western Australia, Groundtec supports New South Wales, QLD Rock Breakers services Queensland, the Northern Territory and PNG, while Walkers Hammers covers Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. This regional structure gives customers access to technicians who understand local operating conditions and can respond quickly when needed. Leece said the relationship between Rammer and its authorised dealers extends beyond a traditional manufacturer– distributor model, with close collaboration across technical expertise, service and customer support. “Rammer’s Australian dealers operate as authorised factory partners, with ongoing technical, service, training and product support from Rammer’s headquarters in Lahti, Finland, which is part of the Sandvik Group,” he said. “Lower operating costs and higher production are achieved by minimising unplanned downtime.” AM

EQUIPMENT

Liebherr’s graceful beast Liebherr’s PR 776 G8, one of the world’s largest hydrostatic dozers, combines substantial pushing power with efficient operation, intelligent controls and remote-operation technology.

he 70-tonne dozer class Liebherr PR 776 G8 Litronic was hard to miss at the recent Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) in Mackay. The imposing machine travelled a considerable distance to make its appearance. Manufactured at LiebherrWerk Telfs GmbH in Tyrol, Austria, the dozer was shipped to Brisbane before completing the final leg to Mackay by road. For Liebherr-Australia key account manager Jason Gundry, QME provided an opportunity to introduce more Australian miners to the latest iteration of a product Liebherr is looking to grow locally. “This is our latest Generation Eight PR 776 – a 72-tonne dozer and the largest hydrostatic drive dozer in the world, equivalent in size to a Cat D10,” Gundry told Australian Mining.

Introduced at MINExpo 2024, the PR 776 G8 replaced the previous Generation 6 (G6) as Liebherr’s flagship mining dozer, adding new electronic architecture, operator assistance technologies and remote-operation capabilities. With five G8 machines now operating in Australia – including three recently delivered to mining services provider MACA – Liebherr is positioning the dozer as an alternative in a market traditionally dominated by Caterpillar and Komatsu. “Our customers are telling us they want another option,” Gundry said. “In that 70- to 100-tonne dozer class there have really only been two players [Komatsu and Caterpillar] – now the PR 776 is right there in direct competition.” The dozer has an operating weight of 71,800–73,189kg, a blade capacity ranging

from 18.5–22m³ and engine output of 565kW. It is designed for jobs ranging from ripping and pushing to stockpiling, clearing and reclaiming. At the heart of the PR 776 is Liebherr’s hydrostatic drive system. Instead of relying on a traditional mechanical drivetrain, the Liebherr system transfers power from the engine through hydraulic pumps and motors. The hydrostatic drive eliminates components such as steering clutches and service brakes, while delivering continuous power to both tracks during steering. The system provides infinitely variable travel speeds without interrupting traction and allows the engine to operate at a constant speed. “That hydrostatic drive is what gives it its efficiency compared to mechanical drive

The Liebherr PR 776 G8 is now on site at the Duketon gold project. AUSTRALIANMINING 50 SEPTEMBER 2026

EQUIPMENT

models, where you lose horsepower and energy through all the clutches, brakes and gearing,” Gundry said. The PR 776 has an average fuel burn of 38 litres per hour, with the hydrostatic drivetrain designed to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining productivity. In Australia, the machines are supported through Liebherr service facilities in Mackay, the Hunter Valley and Perth, where major overhauls, planned modular maintenance and component change-outs can be undertaken. The G8 has also been designed with service access in mind. Centralised maintenance points, wide-opening access flaps and engine compartment doors, a standard tiltable operator cab and an optional swing-out fan provide access to key areas. While Liebherr’s entry into the large mining dozer segment is relatively recent, the technology behind the PR 776 draws on decades of trackedequipment development. The original PR 776 G6 was launched in 2015, representing Liebherr’s move into the large mining dozer market. “There’s a long history of knowledge that’s gone into this mining dozer – 30 to 40 years of experience in tracked equipment that we’ve had to adapt to a much harsher mining environment,” Gundry said. The G8 builds on that foundation with updated electronic architecture that makes the dozer compatible with more of Liebherr Mining’s technology products and provides a foundation for further automation. Liebherr’s Operator Assistance Systems,

It separates operators from hazardous working environments, including opencut mines above historic underground workings or work around tailings dams where unstable conditions may present additional risks. LiReCon can also allow operator shift changes without personnel travelling to and from the machine, reducing potential idle time. In Australia, Liebherr commissioned three PR 776 G8 dozers for MACA, a Thiess company, in May. The machines are the first Liebherr dozers to enter MACA’s mining fleet and will be deployed at the Duketon gold project in Western Australia, operated by Regis Resources. As the Australian fleet grows, Liebherr is also increasing training for operators and maintenance personnel.

Gundry said training was particularly important when introducing unfamiliar equipment at contractor sites, where staff can move regularly between projects. Liebherr is providing more training with the G8 than would normally accompany an equipment delivery, with the aim of building a larger pool of people familiar with operating and maintaining the machines. The PR 776 certainly had the physical presence to attract attention at QME, but Liebherr’s Australian ambitions for the machine extend beyond the exhibition floor. With its hydrostatic drivetrain, new electronic architecture and remoteoperation capability, the G8 gives miners another option in the large-dozer market as the technology moves onto more Australian mine sites. AM

The Liebherr PR 776 G8 was a popular attraction at QME 2026.

Rear view of the Liebherr PR 776 G8.

AUSTRALIANMINING 51 SEPTEMBER 2026

Images: Prime Creative Media

The Liebherr Remote Control (LiReCon) system enables the PR 776 to be operated through a teleoperation station.

previously available on the company’s smaller dozers, provide greater control over the blade and ripper. ‘Free Grade’ provides active blade stabilisation during fine grading, while ‘Definition Grade’ automatically positions the blade when creating 2D grades. The ‘Auto Blade Pitch’ system allows an operator to save and recall three blade positions at the touch of a button, covering material penetration, material transport and rapid blade clearing at the end of a push. Electronic sensors and harnesses also enable the G8 to continually monitor the position of its blade. This improves operator assistance and providing another building block for increased automation. Inside the cab, the PR 776 provides single-joystick control, while large panoramic windows provide 360-degree visibility around the blade and ripper. Roll-over protective structure and falling-object protective structure protection is integrated into the cab’s structure. Operators, however, do not necessarily have to be inside the machine. Liebherr Remote Control (LiReCon) enables the PR 776 to be operated remotely through a teleoperation station equipped with machine controls. Onboard cameras provide different viewing angles, while microphones transmit machine sounds and a radio link connects the operator with the dozer. The technology has been demonstrated at Liebherr’s Telfs facility and deployed on a PR 776 operating at a high-altitude mining operation in Chile.

RISK PREVENTION

The hidden risks that stop mines in their tracks At Australian mines, the costliest risks are not always the most visible. FM believes identifying those exposures early can help prevent the disruptions that damage production, cash flow and confidence. research and data analytics, which show that only 25 per cent of mining losses are linked to physical damage or equipment failure, while 75 per cent come from business interruption. FM’s analysis of the past 20 years also identifies the leading causes of insured losses for Australian mines, with fire emerging as the most significant driver. “Fire jumped from about 21 per cent to 32 per cent of losses over this period,” Beaumont said. “That often surprises people because mining is associated with rocks, steel and big equipment, but there’s a huge number of plastics, lining materials and other combustibles in mining operations.” While various types of fires can occur at a mine, FM is increasingly seeing conveyorrelated incidents where the interruption to production can far outweigh the cost of replacing the equipment. “A mine might pay a million dollars for a new conveyor, but if you’re handling material worth a million dollars a day and the equipment is down for 30 days, you’ve lost $30 million,” Beaumont said. Large miners may be able to absorb costly incidents like this, but extended

downtime can be a more significant challenge for smaller companies due to the impact on cash flow and market confidence. Fire is not the only exposure creating losses. FM has also found mechanical and electrical failures account for a significant proportion of claims, with the root cause often linked to shortcomings in maintenance and asset-integrity programs. “We work with our clients to understand their maintenance practices and asset integrity programs,” Beaumont said. “Our strategy is to identify the problem and the escalation path, then sit down with the client to determine where addressing the issue will have the biggest impact.” Backed by research and data analytics, FM helps mining operations prioritise mitigation measures, whether that means improving maintenance practices, installing new systems or investing in critical spare equipment. One example is FM’s work to prevent conveyor fires. After identifying the rise in these types of incidents, the company constructed a full-scale conveyor at its research facility and deliberately ignited it to test different protection systems.

This hands-on research led to FM recommending a fire protection system that uses significantly less water than previous methods, which Beaumont said is an important consideration for Australian mine sites where water is often a precious resource. FM is also investing heavily in predictive analytics, combining 60 years of loss history with data collected during site inspections to identify operations that may be vulnerable to major losses. “We visit around 60,000 sites each year, and the models are very good at identifying locations with a higher incidence of loss,” Beaumont said. “Our clients use the benchmarking, analytics and data to support decisionmaking within their enterprise risk management frameworks.” Beaumont believes FM’s commitment to preventing losses is the reason it has built many long-term client relationships with mining operations. “Our average tenure with mining clients is 21 years,” he said. “That comes from having a dedicated team that serves the client and develops close relationships over time.” AM FM works with mines to understand why a disruption has occurred and to prevent it.

Image: John/stock.adobe.com

s an insurer, FM’s approach to risk management is built around a simple belief – operational losses can be prevented before they escalate into major disruptions. “All operational losses are preventable,” FM group manager, account engineering Michael Beaumont told Australian Mining. That philosophy means identifying hidden risks long before equipment fails, with FM focused on the impact that lost production, supply chain disruption and financial uncertainty can have on mining businesses. This is where FM differentiates itself: working with mines to understand why a disruption may occur and how to prevent it, rather than simply providing a financial payout after an incident. “If we believe something can escalate into an unacceptable business consequence, we will look at mitigation strategies to prevent it,” Beaumont said. “Everything we do is heavily based on engineering, so I like to look at FM as an engineering company that just happens to sell insurance.” The company’s engineering-led approach is supported by decades of

AUSTRALIANMINING 52 SEPTEMBER 2026

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ELECTRIFICATION

The electric equation

Image: Beto Santillan/stock.adobe.com

n electric haul truck might be the most visible symbol of a mine’s transition away from diesel, but it is only one part of a much larger equation. Behind every battery-electric machine or electric process sits a network of infrastructure, including transformers, substations, switchgear and cable systems, that must deliver the right amount of power, to the right place, at the right time. Serving as the electrical backbone, this equipment holds the key to miners’ ability to electrify their operations, according to electrical infrastructure provider Australian Power Equipment. “Mine electrification isn’t simply an equipment transition; it’s a power infrastructure transition,” Australian Power Equipment co-director Abby Crawford said. “The challenge is ensuring the electrical network can support not only the mine of today, but the significantly different loads of tomorrow.” The scale of that challenge will vary considerably between operations, as some mines may have existing infrastructure that has the capacity to accommodate a degree of electrification, while others may

Electric equipment relies on a network of infrastructure to power it.

need substantial upgrades that expand all the way back to the grid connection. Securing capacity at the point of connection also holds significant importance, according to power and communications infrastructure provider Genus. “Any major connection, whether it be a source of generation or a load, requires power systems studies to determine how that plant will interact with the supply network,” Genus project director Beau Stoner said. “The size of the generation or load will be the primary constraint that drives the depth of the systems studies and the subsequent costfeasibility of electrification.”

This makes the grid connection one of the earliest considerations for a mine contemplating electrification. “This is why power systems studies and grid connection studies are so important as they will identify this capacity range very early on in the process,” Stoner said. “Fundamentally they should be one of the first things done before any significant investment.”

Powering the transition

The connection point can also determine how much work is required before an electrification project can progress within a mining operation as the upgrades can potentially extending beyond the mine itself.

Electrification should not be treated as simply swapping diesel equipment for electric alternatives.

AUSTRALIANMINING 54 SEPTEMBER 2026

“The grid connection is where the network operator will assess whether the proposed project and its scope will need upgrades or modifications,” Stoner said. Opening that communication channel early can give mining companies a clearer understanding of what will be required to connect the project, particularly where significant network upgrades are needed. Stoner said mining companies will be required to fund these upgrades in most cases, making early engagement with network operators an important part of understanding both the technical and financial feasibility of electrification before major investment decisions are made. With the demand for electrification becoming stronger, so too does the importance of ensuring the infrastructure behind it is appropriately specified and coordinated. Mines can invest in the most advanced battery-electric equipment available, but if sufficient power cannot be delivered safely and reliably, the full benefits will not come to fruition. This means that electrification cannot be treated as simply swapping diesel equipment for electric alternatives. Changing mining equipment can also change the electrical demand profile, potentially affecting everything from transformers and cables through to protection systems and the upstream network, which is why the planning process is critical. “Electrification infrastructure needs to be considered at the beginning of mine planning, not once the electric equipment arrives,” Australian Power Equipment codirector Andrew Cockbain said.

Image: Funtay/stock.adobe.com

With miners aiming to move towards electrification, the success of the transition is set be determined by the broader infrastructure that delivers power to the operations.

ELECTRIFICATION

Electric infrastructure should be considered before electric equipment is procured

Image: Jose Luis Stephens/stock.adobe.com

“Understanding current and future loads, where those loads will occur and how they may change over the life of the mine is fundamental.” That becomes particularly important for mining operations because the operating environment is constantly evolving, meaning infrastructure must accommodate not only the mine’s current requirements but also its future development. “Building flexibility into the network from the outset can avoid costly constraints and improve safety as electrification progresses,” Crawford said.

Building for what comes next

Rather than simply connecting a mine to an external grid, future operations could combine grid connections with on-site generation, battery storage and more sophisticated distribution systems. “A fully electrified mine will effectively operate as a sophisticated energy ecosystem, with generation, storage and electrical distribution working together across the site,” Cockbain said. “We expect to see smarter substations and switchgear, greater monitoring and automation, strategically located charging infrastructure and increased integration of renewable energy and storage.” For Stoner, the ideal electrified mine would have parallel connections that provide an alternative supply if one circuit fails.

T E

Where that is not practical, Stoner said an internal hybrid system may offer another pathway. One of the most important factors in determining whether electrification can deliver a meaningful economic benefit will be the cost of electricity. “Electrification of a mine may be achieving many objectives, such as decreasing dependence on diesel and reducing emissions,” Stoner said.

“However, the economics of the transition should be a highly weighted factor.” At the same time, available capacity, connection approvals, equipment costs and lead times could all influence the pace of deployment, making electrical infrastructure a key consideration in the early stages of mine planning. Investing in the infrastructure to power it will play a major role in the industry’s

ability to transition to electric equipment. “The most successful transition will be one that creates electrical networks that are resilient, adaptable and designed around whole-of-life value, including refurbishment, redeployment and recycling,” Crawford said. “It will rely not just on having the right equipment, but on having the right expertise and partnerships to bring the complete electrical system together.” AM

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INFRASTRUCTURE

One contractor, one pipeline, one line of accountability More miners are handing the entire pipeline job to a single contractor rather than splitting it across several firms. It also lets stages overlap. Work that would normally wait its turn can run alongside something else, which cuts the dead time between packages and gives the operator firmer dates to build the rest of the program around. The job does not end at commissioning. Pipe Tek stays on to provide long term pipeline integrity services, so responsibility for the asset carries on well after it is built and handed over.

For an operator, that means the contractor who delivered the pipeline remains the point of contact for how it performs in service, rather than the job being closed out and passed to someone new. This approach also means problems tend to get sorted faster. One team with shared objectives can settle something on the spot, without three companies first working out into whose scope it falls.

Operators are under constant pressure to lift productivity and Farrant believes taking the complexity out of the delivery has become an advantage on its own. “Anyone can provide one service,” Farrant said. “When you’ve got one accountable contractor managing the entire delivery process, projects run more smoothly, risks are reduced and clients have greater confidence they’ll achieve better outcomes.” AM

Pipe Tek carries pipeline projects through to commissioning under one turnkey contract.

One team builds and commissions the pipeline, keeping accountability in one place.

AUSTRALIANMINING 57 SEPTEMBER 2026

Images: Pipe Tek

ining operators who are building or rehabilitating pipelines are increasingly turning to a single turnkey contractor to run every stage of the work, from concept and engineering to construction, commissioning and longterm integrity checks. Pipe Tek is one of the few Australian contractors able to deliver a pipeline this way, taking on a whole project rather than sharing it across multiple specialist firms. The company has delivered pipelines across mining, energy, water and utilities, working on water, wastewater, slurry and gas infrastructure, and has been the turnkey contractor for several of Australia’s major resources operators. “Pipeline projects are challenging enough already without having to coordinate five or six different contractors,” Pipe Tek chief operating officer (COO) Taddam Farrant said. “Every additional interface introduces another opportunity for delays, miscommunication or conflicting priorities. Our approach removes that complexity by taking responsibility for the entire delivery process.” A pipeline on a mine site is rarely a job on its own. Raw water lines keep the plant running, dewatering lines hold back water that would otherwise flood a pit, and tailings and slurry pipelines carry material that cannot be allowed to stop moving. Each one fails differently if the work runs late or has to be redone, and most of them are tied into a bigger program the operator is trying to hold to a schedule. Putting the whole job through one team changes how it gets planned. The engineering is done knowing who builds it, procurement is timed around when things actually go in the ground, and the testing and commissioning is worked out at the start instead of being left as a scramble at the end. “Mining operators don’t just want contractors who can complete individual scopes of work,” Farrant said. “They want confidence that the entire project is being managed cohesively, with every activity planned, coordinated and executed as one.” There is a safety component in the same structure. Fewer contractors means fewer handovers and one set of safety systems running across the job rather than several stitched together, and when conditions change on site the decision sits with one team instead of being passed around.

MASPRO works alongside site teams to evaluate component performance in real operating conditions.

Challenging the benchmark MASPRO is helping mining operations better understand what drives component life in demanding operating environments.

hydraulic cylinder that fails after a week underground should prompt an investigation. But in demanding environments, repeated early failure can gradually become accepted as part of normal operations. When repeated failures begin to shape operating expectations, opportunities to improve performance can be harder to identify. “Every operation develops its own expectations around component life based on its operating environment and experience. Because we work across hundreds of sites, we’re sometimes able to share examples of what’s being achieved elsewhere.” MASPRO category lead underground Australia Roxanne Bekker told Australian Mining. What one mine considers normal may differ significantly from performance achieved elsewhere. “They’ll say, ‘This item lasts us three months,’ and we’ll say, ‘That’s interesting, because we’ve seen the same component achieve six months or even a year at other operations,’” Bekker said. “Our role is to help customers understand what’s possible in their operating environment.” Bekker has that conversation most weeks, working through how long a

component should last against how long it actually does. One recent example involved a mine that had trialled a number of different cylinder solutions over time, each presenting its own trade-offs between service life and replacement cost. Some repaired cylinders lasted around three months on a good run, but as little as one to two weeks at the other end of the spectrum. Rather than focusing on the purchase price alone, Bekker worked with the site to evaluate the overall operating outcome, including service life, replacement frequency and the longer-term cost of maintaining the equipment. “The focus was on understanding performance over time, rather than comparing purchase prices,” Bekker said. “Following a successful trial, we completed an ROI assessment and found the site had reduced its cylinder-related costs by 54 per cent over 12 months. The savings came from longer service life and fewer replacements.” For Bekker, the financial saving was only one measure of success. Longer component life also meant fewer replacements, reduced maintenance intervention and improved equipment availability.

MASPRO has been manufacturing aftermarket components for underground and surface hard-rock mining equipment in Condobolin, New South Wales, since 2006. Over that time, the company has built the broad customer base that allows it to compare performance across different mining operations. Bekker has found that when the very same component can last twice as long at one site as it does at another, those differences often come as a surprise. Conversations don’t always result in a different component. At times they uncover maintenance practices, operating conditions or application-specific factors that may be affecting performance. “Sometimes the best outcome isn’t selling a component,” Bekker said. “It’s helping a customer understand why performance differs between sites and giving them the information to make a better decision.” It’s understanding those differences, Bekker said, that requires time on site with customers, even though time is often their scarcest resource. “They’re always short on time, and that makes it even more valuable,” Bekker said. Bekker said simplifying procurement and installation can also ease the burden on maintenance teams, allowing

AUSTRALIANMINING 58 SEPTEMBER 2026

them to spend less time sourcing parts and more time keeping equipment operating. The benefit goes beyond making components easier to source or install. Bekker said many customers value engineering support alongside the product itself, particularly when time pressures leave little room for trial and error. “You have the parts, the parts are well priced, the parts are in stock and the parts are good quality, but if you don’t offer the level of support customers need, what you’re offering is incomplete,” Bekker said. “You need to have someone who answers the phone, responds within the same day and really helps you understand the problem or figure out a solution.” After six years in the role, Bekker’s measure of what turns a supplier into a partner is simple. “Really listening more than you talk. It’s truly listening to each client and each site individually,” she said. “It’s solving their problems if you can, being straight up if you can’t, and providing a recommendation. “It’s consistent quality and consistent service, but it’s also maintaining that relationship not only through the good times, but being there when things go wrong and taking as much of the burden off them as you can.” AM

Image: MASPRO

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DATA INSIGHTS

Eliminating the guess work Minitab supports decision-making processes by transforming operational data into actionable insights that can improve productivity and reduce downtime. monitor vendor costs and track mining processes and resources in real time. Mining companies consistently deal with the difficulties of manually organising datasets across spreadsheets, workbooks and standalone systems, a process that introduces the risks of human error and unreliable reporting. Minitab’s statistical software digitises and organises this approach, so information and trends from sensors, equipment and geological

surveys can be easily analysed to support decision-making. One of the company’s key offerings for miners is Minitab Engage, a platform designed to promote improvement initiatives from concept to execution. Minitab Engage brings data and collaboration tools together to streamline coordination between exploration teams, maintenance crews, processing plants and corporate offices.

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hen fast decisions under pressure are required, relying solely on instincts is often the first option. But for companies making important operational decisions, this approach may have expensive implications. This is especially true in the mining industry, where machinery is often valued in the millions. This means having the right information to back up decision-making is critical. The mining industry has never lacked operational data, which continues to grow with new technology. The challenge is that many companies struggle to transform that information into meaningful insights. As a comprehensive solutions provider, Minitab has supported miners through this process for two decades, turning complex statistics into easily understandable information and informing decisions that improve productivity, reduce downtime and deliver stronger financial outcomes. For Minitab, the value of data extends beyond simply collecting information to also understanding and analysing performance. Through various software offerings, Minitab can provide insights on equipment to help prevent downtime,

Simul8 enables operators to simulate changes in a virtual environment. AUSTRALIANMINING 60 SEPTEMBER 2026

The software integrates tools such as process maps, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and causeand-effect diagrams, reducing reliance on disconnected spreadsheets and improving collaboration. By providing problem-solving templates and project roadmaps, mining companies can implement processes that tackle various challenges on-site, including equipment downtime. Minitab Engage helps to further reduce issues by supporting maintenance teams in proactively identifying potential failures and inefficiencies. Features such as reviews and notifications are designed to ensure critical tasks, including blast planning and safety inspections, are completed before projects progress to the next stage, reducing the risks of costly delays or compliance issues. With the ability to make faster and more informed decisions, Minitab Engage can help miners improve their productivity and demonstrate compliance, while also keeping their workforce safe. Before implementing change on site, the viability of new processes can be tested through Minitab’s Simul8 software. This platform allows operators to simulate changes in a virtual environment to better

Image: faaqiihh/stock.adobe.com

DATA INSIGHTS

Minitab Engage is designed to promote improvement initiatives from concept to execution.

Minitab supports miners in turning complex statistics into easily understandable information.

understand the potential impacts on productivity and cost before committing capital. From creating digital twins of stockpile operations and running different scenarios based on truck schedules and resource investment strategies, Simul8 has various use cases to suit the requirements of each individual site. Investing in new machinery is an expensive but key consideration for mining companies, and by using Simul8, miners can anticipate the impact of new investments before they are procured, ensuring resources are allocated most effectively. Material routing presents another challenge for mining operations, particularly when ore quality varies across a deposit. Simul8 can assist with determining the handling and processing

pathways for different ore grades, reducing the risk of rework and minimising the loss of valuable material. For example, high-grade ore can be directed through a separate pathway, so it is processed ahead of lower-grade material, rather than being blended unnecessarily. This approach gives operators greater control over material flows, helping to maintain product consistency. Simul8 can also be beneficial when facing unexpected disruptions such as adverse weather, equipment breakdowns and labour shortages, as the software helps mining companies model these scenarios and create contingency plans to minimise the impact on operations. Using this information, mining companies can better prepare for abrupt downtime and maintain their

productivity levels without suffering major financial losses. The data and insights generated from Simul8 can be used to make decisions that focus on improving operational inefficiencies, achieving stronger recovery rates and product quality, reducing waste during extraction and minimising safety incidents. The ability to harness the data extends across the entire mining lifecycle. From construction and extraction to transportation, milling and processing, Minitab’s tools are designed to optimise resources, improve reliability and maximise production. Minitab used a phosphate operation as an example of how its software can support data-driven decision-making, with engineers using its design of experiments tools to test multiple variables simultaneously, including reagent mixes, slurry densities and screen settings. Minitab said the analysis helped the operation increase recovery rates from 47 per cent to more than 80 per cent, delivering an estimated $12 million in annual value. Many other operations have seen comparable success and it’s a significant reason why Minitab has become a go-to software partner for Australian miners. Behind this growth is a key belief: that better use of operational data can help miners identify opportunities to improve performance. AM

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

A new lithium model Vulcan Energy’s Samantha Langley appeared on the Australian Mining Podcast to discuss the company’s significant lithium opportunity.

Lionheart is being developed within the Upper Rhine Valley brine field, with the resource located approximately 3km underground. Unlike conventional hard rock lithium operations, the project does not require large-scale excavation, crushing or waste dumps, while also avoiding the large evaporation ponds associated with some brine-based lithium production. Instead, Vulcan will extract hot geothermal brine through a network of wells before using its heat to generate renewable baseload power and heat. The brine is then processed through direct lithium extraction (DLE), using Vulcan’s proprietary Volsorb adsorbent to selectively extract lithium from the solution. The project is designed to produce 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate a year, enough for approximately half-a-million electric vehicle batteries annually, with a planned project life of 30 years.

That production is being developed close to the European customers that will use the material, creating a shorter supply chain while reducing the transport requirements associated with bringing lithium into the region. The environmental credentials of Lionheart have been incorporated into the project’s development and financing framework from the outset, rather than being considered as a later-stage addition. Vulcan’s approach combines the geothermal resource with lithium extraction, allowing the company to use renewable heat and power generated from the same underground brine that contains the lithium. The company also supplies excess renewable heat to the local community for district heating. “We’ve got a sustainable resource, so we have geothermal energy and baseload energy and heat that we can extract, including lithium. You’ve got a co-located resource. This makes our project low cost and low impact,” Langley said.

Images: Vulcan Energy

he transition towards electrification is creating a growing requirement for lithium, but Vulcan Energy is pursuing a different approach to producing the battery mineral, combining lithium extraction with renewable geothermal energy at its Lionheart project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The Australian-listed company is developing what it describes as an integrated carbon-neutral lithium and renewable energy business, drawing lithium from a deep geothermal brine resource while using the same resource to generate renewable heat and power. Speaking on the Australian Mining Podcast, Vulcan Energy head of sustainability and enterprise risk Samantha Langley said the project represents an opportunity to rethink how critical minerals can be produced. “I truly believe this project has such positive implications not only for Europe, but for how future lithium and critical mineral projects are designed,” Langley said.

Samantha Langley believes Lionheart offers a rethink of critical minerals production.

The project has also undergone an environmental and social assessment as part of its green financing process. Langley said the assessments found no impacts greater than ‘minor’, with many also assessed as ‘insignificant’. It also stated that the work was subject to an independent review.

The Lionheart project is located in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. AUSTRALIANMINING 63 SEPTEMBER 2026

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

The Lionheart project has been described as a project of significant importance in Europe’s lithium supply chain.

Europe has a significant gap between domestic lithium production and the amount of lithium required to support its battery industry. Vulcan’s model is designed to address that gap by producing lithium within Europe for European customers.

A model of convenience

Vulcan’s model addresses several of those factors simultaneously, using geothermal energy generated from its own resource, requiring limited land disturbance, using a closed-loop brine system located close to downstream customers. Langley said that means sustainability is becoming part of the commercial proposition, rather than simply an environmental consideration. “It’s not only about price and quality now; it’s about sustainability,” she said. The project also has implications beyond lithium. Vulcan’s DLE technology and Volsorb adsorbent represent intellectual property that the company believes could support similar developments elsewhere. The company has licensed Volsorb for use by others, while research is also underway into whether DLE could be applied to other types of lithium resources, including hard rock operations. Langley cautioned that DLE would not represent a standalone solution for Australian hard rock mining, where the ore still needs to be crushed, but said the technology could potentially be combined with other processing and renewable energy technologies to reduce impacts. Lionheart’s significance therefore goes beyond its planned production volume.

Langley appeared on the Australian Mining Podcast.

Vulcan is positioning the project as a demonstration of how resource extraction, renewable energy and downstream processing can be designed as an integrated system from the beginning. The distinction is important for new critical mineral developments. Retrofitting decarbonisation measures onto an established operation can be more difficult than incorporating lower-carbon energy and processing technologies into the original design. “Where you’re building a new project, it’s really important to think about sustainability from the start and build it into your design as much as you can,” Langley said. Vulcan has now moved beyond that initial concept. The Lionheart project has been financed and is under construction, positioning the company among the relatively small number of new lithium projects currently being developed.

AUSTRALIANMINING 64 SEPTEMBER 2026

For Europe, Lionheart offers a potential source of domestic lithium and a shorter supply chain. As Langley puts it, the significance lies not only in what Vulcan produces, but in what the project demonstrates is possible. “We’ve been able to prove that this can be done, and we’re now building this project,” she said. “It’s certainly a lighthouse project, and we actually have licensed Volsorb so that others can use it and do similar projects.” AM

The Australian Mining Podcast is available on all major video and audio streaming services including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Image: Prime Creative Media

That assessment formed part of a wider green financing framework developed by Vulcan, which was designed to demonstrate that the project met specific sustainability criteria and would contribute to emissions reductions in the lithium supply chain. The framework was externally rated by S&P Global Ratings and received a ‘dark green’ rating under its Shades of Green methodology. According to Langley, this made Vulcan the first mining and metals company globally to achieve that rating for a project. “That was a very exciting day for me after being a major part of writing that green financing framework, that we were the first mining and metals company ever globally to achieve a dark green rating for our project,” she said. The designation helped underpin a broader financing package for Lionheart, which included debt financing from international banks and credit agencies, as well as equity investment from strategic investors. Export Finance Australia was among the project’s debt financiers, while the European Investment Bank contributed €500 million ($817 million). Other investors include Siemens, Stellantis, the German government through KfW and additional strategic investors. The project has also been designated a strategic project for Europe under the Critical Raw Materials Act, reflecting the region’s efforts to develop domestic supply chains for minerals needed by its industrial and energy transition sectors. The strategic importance of Lionheart extends beyond the project itself as

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Queensland mining takes centre stage QME 2026 showcased expertise shaping the future of the Queensland mining industry.

More than 6500 people attended QME 2026.

Images: Prime Creative Media

ver three days in Mackay, the scale, capability and confidence of Queensland’s resources industry were on full display as the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) brought together thousands of mining professionals from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific. The 2026 edition cemented QME’s standing as Australia’s largest regional mining event, with around 6500 attendees converging on Mackay to explore the latest equipment, technology and services from more than 360 suppliers. From some of the world’s largest mining machines to emerging digital technologies, critical minerals innovation and discussions about the future of the industry, QME provided a snapshot of a sector looking confidently towards its next chapter. Mackay Regional Council mayor Greg Williamson set the tone as he officially opened the event. “On behalf of the regional council and a grateful community underpinned by the resources sector, I’d like to say welcome. Welcome to the people who actually drive a significant part of the Australian economy and should be very proud of it,” Williamson said. It was a fitting message for an exhibition hosted in one of Australia’s great resources regions. Major industry names including Milwaukee Tools, Hitachi Construction Machinery | LANDCROS, Liebherr Australia, Fulton Hogan, Epiroc, Hastings Deering, Brooks/XCMG and Flexco Australia filled the exhibition floor, providing visitors with an opportunity to get close to the equipment and technologies shaping modern mining. Among the biggest attractions was Hitachi | LANDCROS’ EX1200-7 excavator, complete with Bradken’s imposing EX8000-7BH bucket. Bradken joined Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA) to showcase its bucket and Ground Engaging Tool solutions, with the EX8000 48m³ cast beam linerless backhoe bucket – Bradken’s largest manufactured bucket – becoming one of QME’s most talked-about exhibits. An EX1200 8.5m³ linerless bucket mounted on an EX1200 excavator provided another demonstration of Bradken’s engineering capability and its long-standing partnership with HCA. Opening the conference, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia general manager – mining sales and technology Sean Ryan also used QME to unveil LANDCROS as the company’s next evolution in mining technology.

Queensland Mining Minister Dale Last taking in the sights at QME.

“Thank you to the Queensland Mining Expo for inviting us to be the keynote sponsor this year. It’s fantastic to see so many people from throughout Queensland’s mining industry, including many colleagues, past colleagues and friends,” Ryan said. For Ryan, the technologies on show were arriving at a pivotal moment for mining. “Mining has always been an industry built on optimism. Every investment we make today is based on confidence in tomorrow. Yet I’d argue we’ve never seen a period of change quite like the one we’re experiencing now,” he said.

Technology meets opportunity

That changing landscape could be seen across QME. Flexco used the event to introduce its digital conveyor rip detection solution to the Australian market, demonstrating how emerging technologies can address operational challenges. “It’s a new take on rip detection in the market through the use of non-fixed sensors – so it’s exciting to show off something like this here,” Flexco national sales manager Joshua Abberton said. “What we’re really trying to do is identify operational gaps that businesses are having, whether that’s with safety or production gaps.

AUSTRALIANMINING 66 SEPTEMBER 2026

“Flexco as a business develops and designs products and solutions to fill those gaps.” Madison Technologies was similarly focused on the evolution of mine-site technology, discussing wireless Mesh, LTE and 5G communications with QME visitors. “We sell traditional wireless and Mesh solutions but there’s a big push towards LTE and 5G on sites so we’re talking to people about providing hybrid Mesh and LTE solutions to our customers,” Madison Technologies solutions engineer team lead Corey Nesbitt said. Outside, sheer scale remained part of QME’s appeal. The Liebherr PR776 G8 hydrostatic dozer – the world’s largest – attracted significant attention. Liebherr Australia key account manager Jason Gundry said the G8 had only been launched globally within the past two years. “We’ve now got five G8s in operation here in Australia, and this dozer in particular was manufactured in our Telfs facility in Austria, and it made its way over here by ship, unloaded in Brisbane and then road transported to site,” Gundry said. For exhibitors, QME was also about relationships. CAPS Australia Mackay branch manager Glen Camilleri reported strong foot traffic and quality enquiries. “It’s been a stronger show than the last one a couple of years ago,” he said.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Confidence in Queensland

Alongside the machinery and technology, QME provided a forum for some of the biggest questions facing mining. The conference and leadership series brought together representatives from government, industry and academia, with panels examining topics ranging from workforce mental health and artificial intelligence to quantum sensing for critical minerals exploration. QME also became the setting for significant announcements about Queensland’s resources future. Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last announced a full review of the state’s Financial Provisioning Scheme, with reforms aimed at removing unnecessary barriers to investment while maintaining strong environmental safeguards.

Last acknowledged the reform “might not be the most exciting topic on today’s agenda, but I would argue that it is one of the most important”. Last said the issue went directly to creating the conditions needed to encourage resources investment. “Confidence begins long before a mine is built,” he said. That focus on the future extended to critical minerals. A new strategic partnership between the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE), The University of Queensland and Mining3 was unveiled at QME, bringing research, industry and government together to accelerate the commercialisation of critical minerals technologies. The collaboration also reinforces Mackay’s growing role as a national innovation hub. “Today is much more than just announcing another partnership,” RCOE chief executive officer Steven Boxall said. “It represents a significant and an important milestone in positioning Mackay and regional Queensland as a nationally significant centre for innovation, resources, mining and critical minerals.” Together, the exhibition floor, conference discussions and announcements captured the breadth of an industry embracing new technologies while building on Queensland’s established resources strengths.

Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development executive director Darren Moor said the industry’s confidence evident throughout the three days. “I’d rather be in Queensland than anywhere else in terms of the breadth of resources that we’ve actually got. You rattle it off from coal through the base metals through critical minerals and in our gas sector as well,” Moor said.

“So even when you look from outside, that incredible depth of mix is absolutely world class.” From giant equipment and emerging digital technologies to critical minerals innovation and policy reform, QME 2026 demonstrated why Mackay remains an important meeting place for the Australian resources industry – and why Queensland has plenty of reasons to be confident about what comes next. AM

Image: Bradken

“We’ve had some enquiries from some of the coal companies and people have been asking about service trucks and portable air compressors.” REMA TIP TOP senior marketing manager Ellaina Mackay said the connections made during the exhibition were invaluable. “Being at QME is hugely important to us, as supporting the local industry that keeps REMA TIP TOP running is our priority,” she said. “The connections we’ve made at QME have been invaluable in our mission in providing top tier support and product for mines in the region.”

Bradken’s massive backhoe bucket was a popular spot for photos.

The latest in mining machinery and technology was on display.

AUSTRALIANMINING 67 SEPTEMBER 2026

INDUSTRY EVENTS

The suppliers driving mining forward in WA The suppliers behind the machinery, technology and services that keep mines running will take centre stage at WA Mining.

Images: Prime Creative Media

rom equipment and technology to specialist services, the suppliers helping mines stay productive will take centre stage at the WA Mining Conference and Exhibition (WA Mining) when it opens at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 16–17. For the companies exhibiting, the event is an opportunity to showcase the solutions helping mining operations tackle some of their most pressing challenges. That role can be as straightforward – and as critical – as getting a mine back into production when a key piece of equipment stops. When a conveyor gave out at a Western Australian gold mine and the site experienced unexpected downtime, conveyor specialist CIBS mobilised a crew, worked through the night and had the line running again within 24 hours. “We worked around the clock and had them running again fast. When production is on the line, that response is everything,” CIBS general manager Craig Matthews said. It is precisely this kind of challenge and solution that CIBS will bring to WA Mining. The local company is also backing the event as a sponsor, reflecting its longstanding connection with the industry. “WA Mining is where CIBS was built,” Matthews said.

“We earn trust by solving conveyor challenges and, as we’ve grown, supporting it is our way of contributing to an industry that has been central to our success.” CIBS is one of the suppliers demonstrating how much of the mining industry’s productivity depends on the equipment and services operating behind the scenes. That focus on practical solutions is also reflected in the broader exhibition, where established suppliers and emerging technology companies will showcase products and services designed to address the challenges facing modern mining operations. The suppliers are not the only drawcard. Hancock Iron Ore has come on board as mining partner, with Glencore and Fortescue also among the major names heading to Perth. The trade floor has also filled out with more than 170 exhibitors after back-toback successes. Prime Creative Media mining events relationship manager Rebecca Todesco said the line-up demonstrates an industry preparing for its next moves. “The calibre of organisations already involved in 2026 shows the strength of Western Australia’s mining sector and the industry’s appetite to prepare for what’s next,” Todesco said.

“You can hear directly from the leaders driving change across the sector, then walk onto the exhibition floor and see the technologies turning those strategies into action.” That connection between industry discussion and practical solutions is a key part of WA Mining. The conference program will bring together high-profile voices from across the mining sector, including State Development, Trade and Investment Minister David Scaife; Fortescue Iron Bridge general manager Sam Luke; Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA head of economics Aaron

Exhibitors brought their gear to the floor, from safety suppliers to conveyor specialists.

AUSTRALIANMINING 68 SEPTEMBER 2026

Walker; and Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration director general Chris Shaw. Speakers from the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), CSIRO and Gold Fields will also feature across the two days, alongside representatives from major miners including Westgold and Bellevue Gold. The program will examine issues ranging from electrification and the energy transition to critical minerals, project approvals, investment and circular mining. For visitors, those discussions will continue on the exhibition floor, where a broad mix of established suppliers and emerging technology companies will showcase the equipment, technology and services being developed to address those challenges. This year’s exhibition floor will feature Datanet, Dredge Robotics, WEG Australia, Blackwoods, Vulcan Steel, CITIC HIC, Bend-Tech Group, Magshield, Norweld Australia, Machine Logic and KOR Equipment Solutions, alongside a growing number of technology and specialist mining suppliers. The floor is divided into themed areas, including the Decarbonisation Zone, which will bring together companies working on lower-emission mining; the Transformative Tech Zone, which will feature newer arrivals, from artificial intellingence planning platforms to organisational intelligence tools; and the Mining Pavilion, where major resources companies can showcase their latest innovations, operational expertise, and sustainable technologies.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

The event closed with an awards evening recognising excellence across the resources sector.

Industry leaders used the main stage to discuss how the mining sector can lift output while keeping operations safe and reliable. WA Mining’s conference program put the challenges facing the state’s producers front and centre across both days.

Automation and monitoring technology drew steady interest, as operators look to cut downtime before it costs them.

In addition, the Australian Mining Prospect Awards will recognise and showcase excellence from right across the resources sector. For established suppliers such as CIBS, however, the value of the event extends beyond showcasing products. “We want to hear what operators are up against and swap ideas that make things work better across the board,” Matthews said. That exchange is an important part of what makes an event such as WA Mining valuable to the industry. The challenges facing individual operations may be specific, but bringing mining companies, suppliers and technology providers together

MORE THAN AN EXHIBITION creates an opportunity to share ideas and identify solutions that can make operations work better. Todesco said combination of industry presence, specialist suppliers and discussion about the issues shaping the sector is what makes the event such an important meeting point. “The combination of high-profile speakers and leading exhibitors reinforces WA Mining’s position as one of the state’s most important industry events,” she said. AM

To attend WA Mining Conference and Exhibition visit waminingexpo.com. au/attend/

WA Mining is designed to take industry engagement beyond the exhibition floor, with networking opportunities across both days aimed at connecting businesses and professionals across Western Australia’s resources sector. The event attracts a broad professional audience, including mine managers, site engineers, procurement specialists and business leaders, giving suppliers the opportunity to connect directly with decision-makers looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and optimise operations. The event will also place a strong emphasis on hands-on engagement, with interactive experiences and live equipment demonstrations giving visitors the opportunity to see technologies in action rather than simply view them on a stand. Networking activities are designed to foster connections tailored to the local market, with the aim of helping local businesses develop partnerships that can extend beyond the exhibition and into longer-term collaboration. For suppliers and mining professionals alike, WA Mining provides an opportunity to explore those developments while building the relationships needed to turn new ideas and technologies into practical solutions for operations across the state.

AUSTRALIANMINING 69 SEPTEMBER 2026

INDUSTRY EVENTS

A show for the Hunter Valley A new mining show is coming to the Hunter in 2027, and suppliers have moved so fast that sponsorships are already gone and the floor is close to full.

Image: Dzikrul Husnani/stock.adobe.com

n a workshop somewhere in the Hunter, a haul truck is being pulled apart. Its components are stripped, cleaned, inspected and built back up, the same slow work that keeps every mine in the region running long after the digging stops. That work, and the industry around it, has a new event to call its own from May 2027. The Hunter Valley Mining Expo (HVME) opens at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre from May 19–20, 2027, developed by the team behind the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition and the WA Mining Conference and Exhibition. “We always knew there was a strong appetite for a dedicated mining event in the Hunter, but the response has still exceeded our expectations,” Prime Creative Media mining events relationship manager Rebecca Todesco said. Every sponsorship package has sold and the exhibition floor is close to full, with registrations now open less than a year out from the event. “Suppliers moved quickly to secure their place, and the level of commitment we have seen shows how important this platform is becoming,” Todesco said. One of those sponsors is Apollo Engineering, which came on board at silver level. “When a dedicated show like this was announced, we had to be part of it. The Hunter Valley Mining Expo is right in our backyard,” Apollo Engineering business

Coal has anchored the Hunter Valley’s economy for generations, and HVME 2027 will bring the region’s operators and suppliers together to talk about where it goes next.

development manager Toma Skroza told Australian Mining. Apollo has built industrial cleaning equipment, including hot tanks and automated spray washers, in Tamworth in regional New South Wales for 30 years. At its end of cycle, every piece of mobile plant eventually comes off the job to be stripped, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt.

“The strip-down and the rebuild is where we add our value,” Skroza said. One recent job shows what that means. At a mine running haul trucks, technicians were cleaning the final drive components by hand, and a single unit was taking more than a full day before it could move to the next stage.

Image: eayesy/stock.adobe.com

Hunter Valley coal reaches the world through the Port of Newcastle.

Apollo brought in its automated SW2023 spray washer and added a paintstripping agent to the wash chemical, clearing most of the heavy paint in the same cycle. “We changed that to 60 minutes inside the spray washer, then another 60 minutes of bead blasting,” Skroza said. “A complete unit in two hours, where before it took two days.” HVME is built to put more of those conversations in one room, a supplier with a fix standing across from an operator who still has the problem. Apollo will bring the spray washer to the floor alongside its new BioFeed unit, which tackles the food waste piling up at remote mining camps by macerating organic waste at the source, cutting waste volumes and the cost of trucking it off site. The exhibition floor will run across the full mining supply chain, from exploration and drilling to engineering services, software, energy solutions and specialised consumables. A dedicated Mining Pavilion puts local operators and industry associations front and centre, many of them with operations in the Hunter Valley. The conference program runs alongside the floor, with sessions on mine performance, automation, digital mining and the future of coal in the Hunter. AM To attend HVME, visit huntervalleyminingexpo.com.au

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Images: Prime Creative Media

The Australian Mining Prospect Awards celebrate the people and projects driving the industry forward.

Meet the 2026 Prospect Awards finalists The people, companies and projects shaping the future of the country’s resources sector have emerged as this year’s finalists.

ining’s biggest night has its 2026 shortlist. The Australian Mining Prospect Awards has named its finalists across three individual and 16 group categories. The finalists come from right across the industry, from explorers pursuing a first discovery to the biggest miners in the country. The individual awards are the Rising Star, the Lifetime Achievement and the Mining Leader of the Year. Prime Creative Media head of awards and conferences Caitlyn Douglas said the standard of entries is especially high in 2026. “The quality of this year’s entries is a testament to the talent, innovation and leadership shaping Australia’s mining and resources industry,” she said. The awards have long been the only national program dedicated to the mining and minerals processing sector. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner on September 16 at Fraser’s Kings Park in Perth.

Rising Star (35 years and under) • Harriet Davis, Whitehaven Coal • Jack Hammond, Mineral Technologies • Ethan Miles, Northern Star Resources • Munae Troskie, Mineral Technologies

Digital Transformation

• Austin Engineering • Exposi, partnering with Jellinbah Mine • IGO – AI-Powered Playbook Assistant • IGO – De Beers • Mackay Safety and 4PS Software • Metso • Micromine • PETRA Data Science • REMA TIP TOP

Discovery of the Year • Alkane Resources • Ballard Mining • Falcon Metals

Emerging Miner of the Year • Auric Mining • Kalamazoo Resources • Larvotto Resources • Legacy Minerals • Tungsten Mining

Engineering Success of the Year • Flexco • Geovert • Martin Engineering • Techking Tires

Excellence in Autonomous Operations

Education and Training Program of the Year • Emergency Management Community of Practice Inc • FIFO Focus • Flexco • Global Drone Solutions • Mineral Resources • NeuroLead • Premier People • Trainwest Safety Institute • WA Mining Exams • Whitehaven Coal

• DrilLedger • PETRA Data Science

Excellence in FIFO Workforce Experience • Fortescue • Mineral Resources • Rio Tinto • The FIFO Family Project

Excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S • AGuyIKnow • DrilLedger • Emergency Management Community of Practice

Excellence in Mine Site Rehabilitation and Closure • Alcoa • Hancock Iron Ore

Excellence in Mineral Processing

• BHP • Glencore • IGO • Metso • Rio Tinto and BHP • Tritton Copper Operations/Metso

First Nations Engagement • Global Drone Solutions • Hancock Iron Ore

Safety Advocate of the Year

• HEXAGON • IGO • Key Consultation Solutions • Machinemonitor – 3C Energy Group • Safetec Group

Sustainability Innovation

• Fenner Conveyors • HEXAGON R-EVOLUTION • Metso

Lifetime Achievement Award • Dave Goddard, HEXAGON • Jamie Hall, Austin Engineering • Brad Higgins, Austin Engineering

Mining Contractor of the Year • Austin Engineering • AWCON • Martin Engineering • SIMPEC

Mining Leader of the Year • Bazil Miller, IGO • Andrea Marsland-Smith, Alligator Energy

Outstanding Mine Performance

Community Engagement

• AFA-EF Mining • Alligator Energy • Austin Engineering • Crmining Powered by Epiroc • Northern Star • Northern Star Resources – KCGM

• Geographe • HEXAGON/Whitehaven Coal • Mackay Safety and 4PS Software • Rio Tinto Emergency Services

• Manuka Resources • Rio Tinto

The Prospect Awards recognise standout achievement across mining and resources.

AUSTRALIANMINING 72 SEPTEMBER 2026

Tickets to the gala dinner at the Australian Mining Prospect Awards are on sale now. For more information on the awards, visit prospectawards.com.au AM

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INDUSTRY EVENTS

AIMEX floor at the Adelaide Showground, where the sector gathers to see what works.

Connecting mining and investment AIMEX 2027 will host the inaugural Asia-Pacific Mining Investment Summit, bringing mining and investment together in Adelaide.

lenty changes in mining over two years. By the time Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) next opens its doors, copper prices will have swung, the race for battery minerals will have reshaped what gets dug and where, and automation will have moved from the trial pit toward the production bench. In September 2027, the industry gets its first chance to weigh all of it up in one room. AIMEX returns to the Adelaide Showground in South Australia from September 28–30, 2027, two years on from the last event and the first time the biennial show has gathered the sector since 2025. “A lot is shifting, and the industry walking in this time will be asking sharper questions,” Prime Creative Media relationships manager Rebecca Todesco said. The ground is moving quickly in the meantime especially as critical minerals projects that were prospects in 2025 are heading toward production. “The questions coming from mine sites are different to the ones we heard last time,” Todesco said.

The 2025 event drew more than 5300 delegates, 236 exhibitors and 80 speakers to Adelaide, with mining professionals arriving from more than 30 countries. That international crowd shows how mining is done elsewhere. AIMEX puts the industry professionals running

mines in South America, Africa and across Asia in the same hall as their Australian counterparts. For Australian suppliers, the visitors from overseas are a chance to put their work in front of buyers they would otherwise never reach.

Across three days, the conference program at AIMEX encompasses on operational excellence, innovation and sustainability. The point, Todesco said, is to send operators home with something they can use on Monday.

The AIMEX floor packs suppliers, demos and delegates into the Adelaide Showground across three days.

AUSTRALIANMINING 74 SEPTEMBER 2026

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Mining companies need meaningful opportunities to connect with investors who understand the sector and the long-term potential of resource projects.” – Prime Creative Media chief executive officer Christine Clancy “An operator might come looking for one answer and leave with three,” she said. “They see a system running, they talk to someone who has already installed it, and they work out whether it fits their own site. That is the conversation you cannot have over a phone or a brochure.” For all that will change before the doors open, the reason the industry clears its diary for AIMEX has not moved. “Mining runs on what people have seen work,” Todesco said. “The technology keeps changing, but operators still trust the person standing in front of them who has already made it run. AIMEX puts them in the same room, and that is why they keep coming back.” This year the show also opens a new door, connecting the sector to the capital behind it. Running alongside AIMEX from September 29-30, the inaugural Asia-Pacific Mining Investment

Images: Prime Creative Media

Operators come to AIMEX to see equipment running and talk to the people who have already put it to work.

Summit (APMI) gives exploration companies, emerging producers and established miners a dedicated platform to engage directly with institutional investors, fund managers, analysts and investment advisers. The summit comes at an important time for the resources industry, as companies seek capital to advance projects from exploration through to development, while investor interest continues across critical minerals, battery minerals and other future-facing commodities. Delivered by Prime Creative Media, APMI builds on the company’s established presence across both the resources and wealth management sectors. Prime Creative Media chief executive officer Christine Clancy said the summit will provide an important forum at a time when demand for quality resources projects and new investment pathways remains strong. “Mining companies need meaningful opportunities to connect with investors who understand the sector and the longterm potential of resource projects,” Clancy said. “APMI has been designed to create those connections, bringing together companies seeking capital and investors looking for the next generation of resources opportunities.” Prime Creative Media’s wealth

management portfolio includes Money Management, Investor Daily, Independent Financial Adviser, Super Review and SMSF Adviser, as well as events such as the Australian Wealth Management Summit. APMI is also supported through strategic partnerships with the Stockbrokers and Investment Advisers Association (SIAA) and Mines in the Vines, strengthening its links between resources companies and Australia’s broader investment community. At the heart of APMI will be a two-day investor-focused conference program. This will give participating mining companies the opportunity to present their projects, strategies and growth opportunities directly to active investors and industry professionals. A dedicated Investment Pavilion will complement the conference, providing investment-ready companies with a space to meet potential partners, showcase opportunities and build relationships with capital providers. SIAA chief executive officer Maria Lykouras believes the partnership will provide an opportunity to support important conversations about the future of the resources sector. “SIAA principal members play an active role in raising capital for the mining sector, contributing to economic growth across Australia. Being part of

AUSTRALIANMINING 75 SEPTEMBER 2026

APMI provides an opportunity for us to contribute to important discussions around the key factors, challenges and opportunities impacting the sector today and into the future,” Lykouras said in a statement. APMI’s partnership with Mines in the Vines will add another avenue for leaders, investors and stakeholders to connect and develop relationships that could support future investment opportunities. “We are delighted to partner with Prime Creative Media to bring the Mines in the Vines Investor Access experience to APMI,” Mines in the Vines founder Nathan Lodge said in a statement. “Our goal is to create meaningful connections between presenting companies and our curated investor network in a relaxed, high-quality environment that encourages genuine conversations and supports longterm relationships.” With mining companies, investors, advisers and industry leaders all set to converge in Adelaide, the inaugural APMI event will provide a dedicated forum for the resources and investment communities to meaningfully connect. AM To get involved at AIMEX and APM, visit aimex.com.au/exhibitors/ and mininginvestmentsummit.com. au/exhibit/

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Beyond the Echo Chamber A market under mounting pressure needs informed decisions. Demand is rising across defence, AI, energy and industrial supply chains, yet projects continue to face familiar barriers: slow permitting, limited capital, infrastructure gaps, processing challenges and public trust.

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FRANK GIUSTRA President & Chief Executive Officer Fiore Group of Companies

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ROSS BEATY Chairman Equinox Gold

NAMRATA THAPAR Global Director for Metals & Minerals World Bank Group

MARK CUTIFANI FAUSIMM Industry Advisor CBE Odin Partnership

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Images: Kings Access/stock.adobe.com

Safety should go beyond a checklist.

Beyond the safety checklist

ollowing decades of progress, mine safety leaders believe the industry can still find new ways to reduce incidents and turn safety knowledge into meaningful action. That is the challenge AusIMM International mine health and safety conference chair Peter Standish wants delegates to examine when they gather in Perth this October. “A successful conference is not measured only by whether people enjoyed the presentations; it is measured by what they do differently when they return to work,” he told Australian Mining. Held in Perth from October 5–7, the conference will bring together speakers and delegates from around the world, combining global expertise and practical experience to tackle some of the mining industry’s most pressing health and safety challenges. Standish, the consulting director of operational performance consultancy Risk Mentor, said the sector has reached a point where incremental improvements are no longer enough. “We have been stuck at around 3.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers for more than a decade,” he said. “Seven to 10 bereaved families every year is not a result we should accept.” While Australia continues to perform well by international standards, Standish said that should not create complacency.

He said that meaningful improvement is not about adding more processes but encouraging better thinking and stronger leadership; the industry needs to “move the needle again” by examining how safety is created in the first place. “Every decision-maker – from the boardroom to the work front – should be comfortable having a member of their own family work under the conditions they are creating,” Standish said. Standish said that many familiar tools, including Take 5 assessments, job safety analyses (JSAs), inspections and risk assessments, remain valuable but risk becoming ritualised if workers focus on completing paperwork rather than genuinely assessing changing conditions. “We have become very good at doing safety,” he said. “The challenge is making sure we are still thinking about safety. Safety is not something separate that we do. It is an outcome of a well-run operation.” One area attracting greater attention across the industry is the impact of psychosocial hazards. Stress, fatigue, excessive workloads and poor workplace relationships can directly influence workers’ ability to concentrate, identify changing conditions and intervene when something appears unsafe. Standish also believes workplaces should pay closer attention to behaviours that may undermine safe decision-making.

“Incivility may not meet the formal definition of bullying, but repeated rudeness, dismissiveness and undermining can create chronic stress and make people less willing to speak up,” he said. This impacts their performance and decision-making capacity, contributing to incidents in addition to the harm caused to the individual. “A workplace can be technically compliant and still create conditions where people are reluctant to question a decision. That is a safety problem.” Technology will also feature prominently during the conference, although Standish advises against viewing automation or artificial intelligence (AI) as standalone safety solutions. Organisations are more likely to benefit from carefully integrating new technologies into well-designed operational systems rather than expecting digital tools to compensate for poor processes. “Technology is an amplifier,” he said. “If the underlying process is strong, it can produce a step change. “If the process is weak, it will amplify the weakness.” Beyond the formal presentations, one of the conference’s defining features will be its emphasis on discussion and practical problem-solving. “We want to put the ‘confer’ back into conference,” Standish said.

AUSTRALIANMINING 77 SEPTEMBER 2026

AusIMM mine health and safety conference chair Peter Standish.

“The value is not only in what is said from the stage, but in the conversations, challenges and commitments that follow.” Facilitated ‘incubator sessions’ will encourage delegates to challenge established thinking, exchange practical experiences and collectively develop ideas that can be implemented across the industry. To help turn ideas into action, attendees will be encouraged to identify two or three practical improvements to implement after the conference, alongside an accountability partner who can help ensure those commitments are followed through. “We want every attendee to leave with practical commitments,” Standish said. “And someone who will hold them accountable for acting on them.” AM Visit the AusIMM website to register your attendance at the conference.

Image: Peter Standish

The AusIMM International Mine Health and Safety Conference aims to reframe the conversation about mine safety.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Mining’s ideas exchange IMARC 2026 will allow mine site personnel to step beyond their own operations, exchange practical insights and discover new approaches to improving safety and performance. Members of specific industry associations may also be able to log professional development hours from attendance at key mining operator and capability sessions covering topics ranging from digital transformation and operational integration, productivity and cost discipline, and project development and delivery, to energy efficiency and decarbonisation strategies, and artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven decisionmaking. IMARC’s first Coal Industry Networking Reception, co-hosted with the Hunter Mining Club and sponsored by Pulse and Unyte, will bring together professionals from across Australia’s coal sector, including operators, technical specialists, suppliers and industry leaders. Among other networking opportunities will be a Swedish Innovation meeting hosted by industry and government representatives of mining technology powerhouse and key Australian trading partner, Sweden. A more detailed view of the program can be found on IMARC’s website, but some of the experts lined up to present in topical areas include Glencore project

governance manager Tony Egan, BHP senior load and haul engineer Reza Babarahim, Whitehaven Coal’s renowned system, data and AI HSE group manager, Misha Fazen, and Francisco Manesco, Vale’s head of strategic mining projects. AM

Mine site operators can register for a free mining guest pass, or use the code PC15 for 15 per cent off delegate passes or for a free expo visitor pass by visiting imarcglobal.com

IMARC will offer attendees a range of sessions to attend.

More than 500 mining and exploration companies are expected to attend IMARC 2026.

AUSTRALIANMINING 78 SEPTEMBER 2026

Images: IMARC

he International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC) 2026 will bring mining operators together to connect over ideas, views and experiences. BHP, Whitehaven Coal, Glencore, Vale, Agnico Eagle, Fortescue, Perenti and Barminco are just some of the global mining and contract services that will have key personnel leading conference discussions and roaming the exhibition floor at ICC Sydney from October 27–29. All up, more than 500 mining and exploration companies are expected to attend IMARC 2026. A similar number of exhibitors from around the world, including many large and small innovators, will showcase the latest technologies and services. “IMARC is about connecting mine site teams with the ideas, technologies and people that can help improve operations,” event director Sherene Asnasyous said. She said the conference program, workshops and networking have all evolved to ensure those with the most to gain from attending IMARC can maximise the value of their time at the event. “As mining professionals it’s easy to become focused on the challenges and processes within our own operations,” New South Wales Southern Coalfield mine superintendent and IMARC Advisory Committee member Garrick Alden said. “IMARC provides an opportunity to step back, see what is happening across the broader industry and learn about new technologies, innovations and approaches being used elsewhere. “Attendees can take those learnings back to site and evaluate what could improve safety, efficiency and overall performance at their own operation.” Free mining guest passes will help make IMARC accessible to mining personnel from across Australia. The passes include complimentary participation in Maintenance of Competence (MoC) workshops and IMARC networking events, providing additional value for mine site personnel attending the event. Expertly framed and run Mines Rescue workshops will give practising MoC certificate holders exposure to practical operational learnings and latest insights into key risk areas across underground and opencut metalliferous and coal operations. To support participation from regional NSW mining operations, complimentary return bus transport, sponsored by Pulse, will operate across the Hunter, Western and Southern Coalfields throughout IMARC 2026.

HUNTER VALLEY MINING EXPO

The Inaugural Hunter Valley Mining Expo Coming May 2027

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