Fortescue has delivered its first-ever large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) to its North Star Junction (NSJ) complex in the Pilbara, a major step forward in the miner’s push to decarbonise its iron ore operations in the region. The installation is the first in a planned 4-5 GWh rollout of large-scale storage systems Fortescue will need to decarbonise its energy…
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Weir launches new report to drive sustainable water practices in mining
Weir launched a new report, “Untapped: Mining’s Opportunity To Unlock Value Through Strategic Water Management And Innovative Technology.” The report highlights the critical role of water in mining and sets out a strategic vision for elevating water stewardship across the industry. As the world accelerates towards a low-carbon future, demand for metals and minerals is surging. Yet, mining operations are…
Read MoreOSMRE removes 14 ‘obsolete’ coal regulations
The U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has, in a move to advance the nation’s energy independence and economic vitality, formally rescinded a total of 14 obsolete or redundant regulations. Read more.
Read MoreFreeport to restart Grasberg Block Cave
Freeport plans to restore large-scale production from PT Freeport Indonesia’s Grasberg operations in Central Papua, Indonesia, following a fatal mud-flow disaster in early September. Remediation activities are advancing to prepare for a phased restart and ramp-up of the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine beginning in the second quarter of 2026. On September 8, seven workers were killed when around 800,000…
Read MoreBHP, Wabtec welcome BELs to Pilbara
The first brand-new, purpose-built battery-electric locomotives (BELs) in Australia have arrived in Port Hedland. Delivered in partnership with Wabtec, the two are fully battery-powered heavy-haul units that will be trialled on BHP’s iron ore rail routes between its Pilbara mines and Port Hedland operations. Purpose-built to withstand the region’s extreme heat and demanding conditions, the locomotives have been designed to…
Read MoreRio Tinto inks wind power deal for Kennecott
The Rio Tinto Kennecott operation, in its effort to meet corporate decarbonization objectives, has signed a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with TerraGen for renewable energy from a newly completed wind farm in Texas. Full story.
Read MoreABB to electrify Thacker Pass
Lithium Americas has selected ABB as the electrification partner for its Thacker Pass project in Nevada, home to North America’s largest known measured lithium resource. Full story.
Read MoreRCT adds to automation fleet at Solomon
RCT – Powered by Epiroc has worked with Fortescue at its flagship iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia to further grow the Non Line of Sight (NLOS) fleet on site and, in turn, further drive efficiency and productivity. Fortescue has now added five NLOS excavators to its ever-expanding fleet. RCT’s Perth Solutions Team was tasked with…
Read MoreRamaco Resources to create Strategic Critical Minerals Terminal
Ramaco Resources will establish a national strategic stockpile of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals at its Brook mine facility in Wyoming. The Strategic Critical Minerals Terminal (SCMT) will position Ramaco as the most comprehensive, vertically integrated upstream, midstream and downstream producer of critical minerals and REEs in the United States. Full story.
Read MoreRio Tinto trials battery swap electric haul trucks
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…
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