Many established processing methods were designed for an era of abundant fossil-fuel-derived inputs and bulk-commodity economics. That operating environment is changing. Mineral processing has a design problem. Many of today’s processes emerged in an industrial world built around bulk commodities, established chemical supply chains and abundant fossil-fuel-derived inputs. That world…

There is a growing trend towards automated, driver-operated weighbridges, as they provide optimal flexibility, efficiency, and extended operating hours. Weighbridges provide highly accurate and precise weight data, enabling operators to keep a closer track of inventory, obtain precise measurements of incoming and outgoing materials to ensure payload accuracy, and minimise…

The Western Australian government is revising the regulatory and environmental arrangements around Alcoa’s bauxite mining operations, with the process designed to provide heightened environmental oversight while maintaining operational consistency. The new strategy allows the company to continue its WA operations and safeguard thousands of regional jobs while the independent Environmental…

From electric vehicles to renewable energy infrastructure, copper is a foundational metal underpinning modern life. Yet its future supply hinges on overcoming challenges that traditional mining methods cannot solve. BHP's copper innovation partnership with Microsoft is a bold response, applying artificial intelligence to reshape the chemistry of copper extraction itself.…

After a member of the consortium designated as preferred buyer of the Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter withdrew from the transaction, the mothballed facility has been given a six‑week reprieve as administrators continue negotiations. Adroit Capital’s withdrawal on a mid-June Friday set off a flurry to secure a new source…

Mine site lighting usually comes down to two options. Fixed infrastructure services permanent areas, where the certainty of a long‑term site justifies trenching, cabling and installation. Diesel services the other end: quick to deploy for short works, shutdowns and areas that keep moving. Sitting between them is a large part…

Experienced mining professionals know that variable expenses follow production levels. Explosives, cable bolting supplies and electricity consumption are some of the costs directly proportional to the amount of resources extracted and processed. Key industry players, such as Fortescue, MinRes, Rio Tinto and BHP, are demonstrating how to boost output while…

Australia has been a worldwide leader in mining automation. However, forward-thinking industry leaders see embedded AI as the next frontier. The digital transformation of mining includes augmenting every facet of the value chain with cognitive intelligence. Professionals must understand the pivot from basic automation to integrated AI. The rise of…