THE MINING WRAP

Amazon Web Services (AWS) will be the first customer for Rio Tinto’s low-carbon Nuton copper, following the industrial scale deployment of Nuton’s bioleaching technology. The agreement ties copper supply to corporate decarbonisation targets and strengthens the market case for alternative recovery methods that can reduce emissions intensity while maintaining output.

BHP and Rio Tinto Explore Joint Pilbara Iron Ore Operation

BHP and Rio Tinto are assessing a joint operation to extract up to 200 million tonnes of iron ore from adjacent deposits in Australia’s Pilbara. The proposal points to a growing focus on shared infrastructure logic to unlock efficiencies, extend mine life and reduce duplication in capital-heavy bulk operations.

First Quantum Supports Panama Stockpile Processing Plan

First Quantum has backed Panama’s proposal to allow stockpile processing at a shut copper mine. The move offers a partial pathway to value recovery while broader negotiations continue, allowing activity without reopening full production.

Exploration, Projects and Infrastructure

Caledonia Targets $162.5m 2026 Capex Led by Bilboes

Caledonia Mining plans a capital expenditure programme of $162.5 million in 2026, with $132 million allocated to developing the Bilboes gold project. Bilboes is expected to become the country’s largest gold mine, placing it among the most closely watched gold buildouts in the region.

Angola Moves Toward First Major Copper Production at Tetelo

Angola is preparing to commence production at its first major copper mine, Tetelo, owned by China’s Shining Star. The mine is expected to produce 25,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually during its first two years, marking a notable expansion of Angola’s mining footprint beyond hydrocarbons.

Simandou Drives Over $20bn in Rail and Port Infrastructure

Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project is catalysing more than $20 billion in linked infrastructure investment, including 650 km of railway and new ports, as it transitions toward initial production. The project continues to highlight how mega-mines can reshape national logistics and industrial development.

Manono Lithium Tracks Toward Early 2026 Commercial Production

The Manono lithium project in the DRC remains on course for initial commercial production in early 2026. As one of the world’s largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium deposits, Manono sits firmly in the pipeline of long-duration supply projects for battery markets.

DRC Revives $29bn Northern Iron Ore Export Plan

The Democratic Republic of Congo is revisiting a $29-billion iron ore export corridor in the country’s north, once linked to controversial ownership structures. If it progresses, the project will require large-scale infrastructure, financing coordination and improved investor confidence to move from concept to execution.

Technology, Automation and Operational Innovation

Hexagon Targets Blind Spots With AI-Driven 360-Degree Safety Systems

Hexagon Mining’s HxGN MineProtect system combines 360-degree cameras and AI to eliminate blind spots on heavy machinery, helping reduce collision risk. The system addresses one of mining’s most persistent fatal-risk categories by improving visibility and warning capability in real time.

Anglo American Deploys Remote-Controlled Stockpile Dozers

Anglo American has implemented remote-controlled stockpile dozers at its Capcoal Complex in Queensland, Australia, allowing operators to work from a secure location. The rollout strengthens the case for practical automation steps that reduce exposure without requiring full autonomous mine conversion.

Komatsu and Cummins Push Zero-Emission Haul Truck Development

Komatsu and Cummins Inc. are collaborating on zero-emission haul trucks, linking decarbonisation with operational benefits associated with electrification. The partnership supports miners seeking lower emissions while also targeting safety and maintenance advantages from simplified drivetrains.

ENX Africa Funds Narrow-Reef Robotics and AI Research

ENX Africa has commissioned research at Stellenbosch University to develop robotics and AI aimed at safer underground mining, particularly in narrow reef environments. The work focuses on constrained operating spaces where mechanisation remains difficult and risk exposure stays high.

Epiroc Adds True 3D Capability to Underground Autonomous Haulage

Epiroc’s Deep Automation system now features true 3D capability for underground operations, improving fleet control and traffic coordination across complex multi-level ramp networks. The upgrade supports higher autonomy maturity in underground settings where congestion and visibility constraints can erode productivity.

Novamera Validates “Surgical Mining” Narrow-Vein Extraction Method

Novamera has validated its “Surgical Mining” approach through a field trial, using imaging and robotic extraction to mine narrow-vein deposits with precision. The method targets reduced dilution and lower-impact extraction in deposits where conventional approaches often struggle on cost and selectivity.

Pronto Hits 2 Million Tonnes Hauled With Autonomous Mixed Fleet

Pronto’s autonomous mixed fleet at a Heidelberg Materials quarry in North America has reached a 2 million tonnes hauled milestone. The achievement highlights efficiency gains and shows that autonomy can scale with relatively low network bandwidth requirements.

Caterpillar Uses NVIDIA AI Factory to Build Manufacturing Digital Twins

Caterpillar is using an NVIDIA AI Factory to create physically accurate digital twins of its manufacturing facilities, allowing teams to simulate and optimise production layouts and supply chains before physical implementation. The goal is to reduce equipment delivery delays and improve supply reliability for mining customers.

Caterpillar Expands Customer AI Tools and Satellite-Ground Monitoring

Caterpillar has unveiled the Cat AI Assistant as an AI-based customer solution, while satellite-ground fusion technology continues to transform mine monitoring and environmental intelligence. Together, these tools strengthen operational visibility and improve decision speed across large mining footprints.

Sandvik Targets Faster, Cleaner Warranty Processing

Sandvik has launched a programme to improve how it processes warranties across its mining division, with customer discussions planned for early 2026. The initiative focuses on practical uptime support, where warranty turnaround times can directly affect equipment availability and maintenance planning.

Transition Metal Scales Up Microbial Copper Recovery

Transition Metal is scaling up microbial copper recovery, adding momentum to bio-based processing pathways. These approaches are gaining attention for their potential to improve recoveries while reducing energy and chemical intensity in copper extraction.

Policy, Regulation and Market Pressure

Ghana Plans to Scrap Stability Agreements and Double Royalties

Ghana will scrap long-term mining investment stability agreements and double royalties under proposed reforms, as it seeks to capture more value from its mining sector. The shift raises questions around fiscal predictability, especially for long-life projects that depend on stable regulatory assumptions.

Sustainability, ESG and Industry Standards

Canada Launches New EDI Protocol for Mining

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has introduced a new protocol focused on equity, diversity and inclusion across the sector. The framework adds another benchmark for mining companies working to formalise workforce and governance standards beyond environmental metrics.

Japan Plans Deep-Sea Rare Earth Mining Test at 6km Depth

Japan has initiated a plan to test deep-sea mining of rare-earth-rich mud at a depth of six kilometres to reduce reliance on China. The initiative highlights strategic supply concerns, although deep-sea extraction remains technically complex and politically contested.

Arca and Giga Metals Study CO₂ Removal Through Tailings

Arca Climate Technologies and Giga Metals have signed a 10-year agreement to evaluate the use of mine tailings and waste rock at the Turnagain nickel project for permanent carbon dioxide removal. If viable, the approach could create a new category of climate-linked value from mining waste streams.

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