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Australia unlikely to embrace deep-sea mining Aquila mine named innovation award finalist Sandvik launches surface drilling training simulator High-performance polyurethane lined pipe: Built for durability Turnkey dredging systems for Australia’s mining sector Powering forward Port of Brisbane delivers strong trade for FY25 Wind turbines begin 1000km journey to St Ives All Civil makes the switch to Komatsu Pilbara Ports unveils climate action plan BHP greenlights $1.4b Port Hedland investment Understanding motor reliability From aging to agile: Getting sustaining capital right Westrac inspires next generation at RTS Built for strength: ITM Mining’s solutions for hydraulic mining excavators The first intelligent oil-water separator Securing operational technology in mining Specialised engineering for complex mining challenges Mining Matters Cancer researchers unlock ‘DNA code’ of critical minerals The missions making asteroid mining a reality Fosterville expansion gets the green light VHM lays the building blocks for Goschen project CTTW2025 highlights innovation and global partnerships Turning battery waste into a local resource E-Plas champions mining’s quiet achievers Keep your crew cool Tough enough to thrive in the harshest of environments Steuler expands your horizons Think change. Think Breight All-electric forklift. Mine-ready. Built for heavy loads Gold, gold, gold WT Hydraulics and Festo Join Forces to Revolutionise Mining and Industrial Automation Closing the loop: How Acu-Tech supports mining with ESG in action Tecweigh: The Future of Heavy-Duty Bulk Material Weighing Your partner in strategic asset management Driving the future of the mining industry MLT New Generation Super-Screw® FRAS/Oil Resistant Oli Group: Driving innovation and reliability in mining & quarrying Titeline Drilling: Automating the future Billions of Litres, Zero Compromise: Inside Banlaw’s Fuel Management Revolution Lighting Up the Underground Engineering innovation at scale: How Innovative Mining Services is redefining safety, productivity and reliability in materials handling How DTN APAC’s inversion and blast dispersion forecasting help the mining industry Emtivac Engineering: The vacuum powerhouse behind Australian industry A simple solution to a complex problem Powering progress through innovation Leader in Manufacturing Innovation Powering Mining with Practical Solutions Eagle Forklifts: Powering Australia’s mining logistics with smarter, safer machinery The cable management specialists Australia’s spare parts distribution centre The future of mining is in Australia Securing global supply chains at CMC2025 The reality of Australia’s EV uptake The world’s first carbon-neutral lithium product Aussie mine boss – a true Australian success story Practical project support from strategy to delivery Improve worker wellbeing with a new toolkit from Edith Cowan University Liontown’s lithium liftoff Has Australian lithium been left in the lurch? A rocky reporting season for Australia’s resources sector The Australian Mining Review October 2025 Edition ACE: Fast. Safe. Unstoppable. ADT Commercial Security Drill, Baby, Drill! Caman Engineering Australian Floating Decks Professional Services Maximise Your Productivity Bruce Avery Transport The updated 2024 Isuzu D-MAX Introducing the ARB multi-purpose jack base for safer vehicle lifting The updated 2025 Isuzu MU-X Eastern Guruma integrated services Australia’s original lockout tagout manufacturer since 1992 Australia’s most trusted bulk spring water supplier 20 years of excellence VMS Engineering | Precision. Power. Performance. Your Workforce. Skilled, Certified and Site-Ready Varnish removal made easy Johnson Screens: Screening solutions for Australian mining Vytas makes green hydrogen a reality Geotab and Google Cloud partner for data-driven success MATO Australia’s new generation conveyor belt cleaners MLT New Generation Super-Screw® FRAS/Oil Resistant Mineplast Pro: The superior belt solution Power Control Products: Delivering Safe-T-Products’ conveyor safety innovations to the mining industry Conveyor Idler Failure got you (Shut)down? Dredge pumps in Australia’s mining industry TOMRA’s transformative ore sorting technology Broons’ Graderoll just keeps rolling out the door Weir’s new backfill technology From fabrication to full-scale construction, Murchison Mining Services delivers exceptional results Exactly what you need when you need it Bringing you our world of expertise Quest Maritime Services delivering confidence at sea Dy-Mark mine marking toluene free Oli Group: Driving innovation and reliability in mining & quarrying Transmission repairs and replacements made easy Industrial and marine solutions hire fleet with purpose-built winches and power units How DTN APAC’s inversion and blast dispersion forecasting help the mining industry Steuler expands your horizons Gold, gold, gold Donaldson powers up mining filtration with new dust extraction and air solutions For the next generation of mining The industry leader in OTR and LME tyre management ISUZU FX range squares-up for heavy-duty battle Aerial solutions for mining and exploration The value of experience Driving drilling innovation for more than 40 years Leading Australia’s seismic future with eVibe innovation Supporting smarter mining decisions New technology for near surface exploration Precision drilling Australia’s latest rig rebuild PDR05 Driving excellence in exploration and mine site geoscience Innovators in geophysical exploration Innovative high-tech modular plants Bringing home the medal Protoblast – Take control of your blasting process Coral Sea Resort – Real Rewards for Real Work Titanium prospects Building an empire The titanium titan How can investment grow amidst supply chain woes? TechConnect Coal Comfort Turning waste into wealth ASPEC Engineering and the Amrun Project Australia’s specialised electrical experts The creative construction company World-class material handling solutions Cape-ital gains Australasia’s premier geoscience event AusIMM’s parallel conference debut Digitalisation in mining explored Uranium miner looks to produce with ‘invisible mining’ method For the next generation of mining The Australian Mining Review September 2025 Edition

Aquila mine named innovation award finalist

aquila mine named innovation award finalist

A breakthrough underground excavation guard at Anglo American’s Aquila coal mine has been named a finalist at the 2025 Prospect Awards.

The new system — dubbed The Armadillo for its unique shield design and first-of-its-kind industry adaptability in Bowen Basin coal mines — has been recognised in the Innovative Mining Solution category for its use on the site near Middlemount, Queensland.

Developed in partnership with the Jet Group in Mackay, The Armadillo was designed when the mine turned a complex engineering challenge into an opportunity to innovate. The Aquila team needed to retrofit a conveyor dewatering transfer installation underground but faced several constraints, including low seam height and the need to keep the conveyor running for production continuity.

Aquila Mine general manager Braedon Smith says a novel solution to protect the conveyor while allowing shot firing excavation overhead needed to be developed.

The resulting mobile conveyor excavation guard has redefined how mining operations can safely excavate above live infrastructure without compromising production or safety.

“The Armadillo has delivered significant downtime reductions, zero injuries and a blueprint for safer underground excavation across the industry,” Mr Smith said.

The system was trialled and refined through rigorous risk assessments, 3D tunnel scans for precision and stakeholder workshops.

“The transferability of this first-of-its-kind system make scaling the innovation and adapting to site specific needs a value-add development for the industry,” Mr Smith said.

“The Armadillo is already being considered for future applications across the mine site and other Anglo American mining operations in the Bowen Basin. Its modular design and transferability make it a standout for sites facing similar excavation challenges.”

The Armadillo integrates rolling covers, a pivoting tipping platform, hydraulic controls and a custom rail system — all designed to shield the conveyor while enabling safe excavation and debris removal.

Anglo American Australia chief executive Dan van der Westhuizen says this project demonstrated the value of collaborative partnerships within the industry to achieve an innovative outcome.

“We are proud to be finalists but, more importantly, we’re proud of the collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking that made this solution possible,” he said.

“It’s a testament to what is achievable when safety, engineering and production teams come together.”

Key Armadillo features include:

  • Rolling covers for flexible protection during blasting
  • A tipping platform to safely transfer spoil to designated zones
  • A bolting deck that doubles as a secondary safety layer
  • Hydraulic cylinders for precise, low-risk tipping control
  • Survey-guided installation for pinpoint accuracy