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The next generation of underground mine trucks will be born from a new partnership between Epiroc and Gold Fields Australia. Both companies entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to develop an innovative diesel-underground mine truck, the Minetruck MT65 E-Drive, with the aim of having a prototype at the Gold Fields’ Granny Smith mine in WA at the start of 2024. This collaboration combines the traditional combustion engine truck with an electric drive system technology, thereby reducing diesel consumption and increasing operational productivity. “Epiroc has set ambitious sustainability goals for 2030 including halving our CO2 emissions, and our innovation agenda goes hand in hand with our customers’ sustainability agenda,” said Sami Niiranen, President of Epiroc’s Underground division. “We are proud...

Copper is groaning under the weight of expectation and demand is expected to far outstrip supply, according to IMDEX chief geoscientist Dr Dave Lawie. Dr Copper, as the mining industry calls it, is typically a barometer of industrial growth. But the challenge the world faces is the lack of new mines under development to make up the supply shortfall in order to meet decarbonisation targets, the EV market, power transmission networks and other industrial uses. “The issue that remains widely unappreciated outside the mining and associated sectors is the extent to which big copper resources are hard to find, and difficult to mine when they are discovered – and the long lag between exploration and production,” Dr Lawie said. “We...

AuTECO Minerals Ltd (ASX: AUT) and the Mishkeegogamang Ojibway First Nation (MOFN) have announced an exploration agreement that significantly expands the area of operation within the Pickle Crow Gold Project in the Uchi sub-province of Ontario, Canada. AuTeco said the agreement provides continued First Nation support for access to tenure for exploration purposes, while providing confidence to the Indigenous inhabitants regarding commercial, social benefit and cultural matters. “Both parties have a strong commitment to create mutual benefits while continuing to respect the traditional territories, activities, values and rights of the MOFN,” AuTeco said. The revised agreement replaces the 2009 exploration Memorandum of Understanding and now incorporates all AuTECO tenure that is located within MOFN traditional territories. The previous MOU covered...

The NSW Government is investing $130 million in mining projects to help position the State as a major global supplier and processor of critical minerals and high-tech metals. Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Resources Paul Toole was in the State’s Far West over the weekend to announce 19 organisations would share in more than $8.6 million under Stream 1 of the $130 million Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund. “Critical minerals and high-tech metals are going to be crucial to future technologies like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, ag-tech and renewables, and this fund will progress projects and support feasibility studies right across the State,” Mr Toole said. “Our $8.6 million investment is being backed in by industry co-contributions and...

Thiess secures contract extension for BMA's Caval Ridge Project Thiess's mining services contract with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for the Caval Ridge operations in Queensland, Australia, has been extended. With a potential term of up to five years, the new contract starting on 1 December 2022 has revenue to Thiess valued up to $600 million. Under this contract, Thiess will continue to provide mining services at the Caval Ridge mine, operating and maintaining mining equipment to move overburden to support BMA’s production requirements. Thiess Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright said: “Thiess has been providing mining solutions to BMA at Caval Ridge since December 2017. “Importantly, our team continues to have a clear commitment and focus on fostering diversity and...