Rio Tinto and China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) Qiyuan have launched a trial of battery swap electric haul truck technology at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. This is the miner’s first use of battery swap electric haul trucks in surface mining operations. Battery swapping technology allows the battery of an electric mining truck to be replaced at…
Read MoreCategory: Feature
NMA recognizes 20 mining operations for safety excellence
The National Mining Association has honored outstanding achievements in mine safety with the Sentinels of Safety Awards. Twenty American mining operations – six coal mines and 14 mineral/metal mines – were recognized for extraordinary safety performance in 2024. Full story.
Read MoreU.S. inks critical minerals deals with Southeast Asian allies
The United States has signed agreements on critical minerals with Thailand and Malaysia, aiming to diversify supply chains amid competing efforts on rare earths by China, reported Reuters. Malaysia agreed to refrain from banning or imposing quotas on exports to the United States of critical minerals or rare earth elements, the countries said in a statement. However, they did not…
Read MoreNSW is ‘open for business’ on critical minerals: Premier
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has issued a clear message to the global resources sector at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC): NSW is open for investment and ready to power the world’s clean energy transition. Opening Australia’s largest mining conference in Sydney, the Minns acknowledged that the state’s planning system had created duplication and red tape that…
Read MoreUnited States and Australia ink critical minerals deal
U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a critical minerals agreement, which they described as “an $8.5 billion deal between allies,” aimed at curbing China’s dominance of rare earths resources. The Associated Press reported that China announced earlier this month that foreign companies must get approval from its government to export magnets containing even trace…
Read MoreMcEwen to acquire Canadian Gold
Gold and silver producer McEwen and Canadian Gold Corp. have entered into a definitive agreement, under which McEwen will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Canadian-based exploration company through a statutory plan of arrangement. Full story.
Read MoreBlair Athol mine life extended to 2033
Australia-based TerraCom has confirmed that the life of its flagship Blair Athol coal mine in Queensland has been extended to 2033, following an updated JORC Code Resource and Reserve assessment. “Blair Athol continues to demonstrate its strength as a long life, low cost and reliable operation, and remains a cornerstone asset for TerraCom. The 2025 JORC Code update reaffirms the…
Read MoreCaterpillar to acquire mining software provider RPMGlobal
Following a constructive six-week due diligence period, Caterpillar and RPMGlobal have now signed a binding Scheme Implementation Deed. The agreement formalizes the terms under which Caterpillar will acquire RPM via a scheme of arrangement. “RPMGlobal’s culture and agile approach to developing solutions aligns well with Caterpillar’s intense focus on solving customer needs,” said Denise Johnson, group president, Caterpillar Resource Industries. …
Read MoreABB, LKAB enter technology partnership
Global technology provider ABB and Swedish mining and minerals group LKAB have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a strategic technology partnership to accelerate automation, electrification and digitalization in mining. The partnership will focus on some of the biggest shifts in the mining industry’s journey to the all-electric, automated and digitalized mine, enhancing safety, sustainability and productivity. ABB…
Read MoreAdministration approves controversial Alaskan mining road
The Trump administration has approved a proposed 211-mile, industrial access road through Alaska’s Brooks Range to allow mining of copper, cobalt, gold and other minerals. The long-debated Ambler Road project was originally approved during President Trump’s first term but was later blocked by the Biden administration due to environmental concerns. Full story.
Read More