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AI can forecast mining disasters: new study Artificial intelligence can forecast gas-related incidents in coal mines within half an hour, according to a new study exploring how the technology can reduce the risk of disasters. The study of coal mines in China compared 10 machine learning algorithms to see which AI method could make predictions about changes in methane gas levels 30 minutes in advance and notify users of anomalies. Gas explosions or ignitions in underground mines pose significant risks, with almost 60% of coal mine accidents in China caused by methane gas....

BHP revealed as first customer for Caterpillar technology trial BHP (ASX: BHP) is the first customer to trial Caterpillar’s Cat dynamic energy transfer (DET) system on battery electric and diesel electric mining trucks across its sites. Launched at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL®, the technology can transfer energy to both diesel electric and battery electric large mining trucks while they are working on a mine site. It can also charge an electric haul truck’s battery while the machine is operational and the infrastructure is flexible, meaning it can be easily relocated compared to current offerings. These trials are...

Liebherr showcases latest offerings at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® At this year’s MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® mining exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada, Liebherr has shared its latest products, services and innovations. T 264 battery haul truck In partnership with Fortescue (ASX: FMG), Liebherr has unveiled the very first autonomous battery-electric T 264 haul truck, representing the culmination of years of work between the two companies. The T 264 haul truck has a 3.2Mwh battery – developed by Fortescue Zero – plus electric shovels and wheel loaders, a 2700hp engine and 4425hp electric wheel motors. A static charging solution was developed alongside the truck and it includes an automated quick charger of...

Historic Victorian mines hold key to critical minerals challenge A recent study of two historic phosphate mines in Victoria’s north and east has found elevated levels of vanadium and rhenium in rocks, along with low levels of rare earth elements – the critical minerals required for renewable energy applications in wind turbines and grid-scale batteries. The report, entitled An evaluation of rare earth elements, phosphorous, vanadium and rhenium hosted in sediment starved stratigraphy in...

“Net zero 2050 is a con” says Forrest, as Fortescue plans for 2030 Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has released its rigorous climate transition plan that lays out how it plans to stop burning fossil fuels across its Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade. The action plan was released by Fortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest at a roundtable event hosted by United Nations under-secretary general Melissa Fleming in New York. The detailed timeline shows how Fortescue will eliminate Scope 1 and 2 emissions without voluntary carbon offsets and without carbon capture and storage – which is now...

MinRes’ Onslow Iron moves closer to cleaner power, $1.3b haul road sale completed Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Onslow iron project in WA is one step closer to more efficient power with construction completed on a dedicated gas pipeline. Following internal collaboration between MinRes’ energy and engineering and construction divisions, the Ken’s Bore gas pipeline has been developed. This pipeline extends 16km underground from the Goldfields gas pipeline to the gas fire power station at the Ken’s Bore mine site. Construction was undertaken from March to August 2024 and the pipeline will become...

Whitehaven Coal calls out “unnecessarily protracted” processes as Narrabri Stage 3 approved Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) has welcomed the Federal Government’s approval of the Narrabri Stage 3 project, subject to conditions, per the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Cth). This comes after the Federal Government approved the extension of three NSW coal mines – Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri underground mine Stage 3 extension project, Yancoal’s Ravensworth underground mine and MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant optimisation project – guaranteeing more than 1800 jobs in the Hunter Valley and Narrabri regions. The approval is cold...

Liebherr partnership for green ammonia generators Liebherr is partnering with Italian company Bruno Generators Group (BGG) on the feasibility of green ammonia for low and zero emission power generation in mining. If successful, this will be another option for mining companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Liebherr has already investigated ammonia as a power source for dual-fuel internal combustion engines and the company’s Mining Equipment SAS executive vice president, R&D, engineering and production Oliver Weiss says he is excited to be working with BGG now. “Their innovative mindset and tracked development...

Fortescue Zero and Downer to develop a battery electric locomotive Fortescue Zero and Downer are working together to jointly design and develop a battery electric locomotive (BEL). Together, the two companies will design and develop the world’s most energy efficient BEL, delivering an innovative zero emissions solution for heavy haul rail. Furthermore, it marks an important step towards the commercialisation of zero emissions power system technologies in heavy industry applications. The partnership draws on Downer’s rollingstock and engineering experience, and Fortescue Zero’s experience as a heavy haul rail operator and familiarity in green technologies and zero emissions power systems. Downer chief...

Aboriginal artwork-wrapped truck marks Pilbara Minerals-Qube partnership extension Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) has welcomed a new haulage truck to its Pilgangoora operation, in celebration of its extended services agreement with haulage partner, Qube. The new truck, which will operate 24 hours a day, replaces a Qube vehicle that has been hauling for Pilbara Minerals since first production in 2018, with over two million kilometres on the clock. The Volvo FH16 truck is part of a fleet dedicated to Pilbara Minerals and has been specifically designed to transport spodumene concentrate from the Pilgangoora operation to Port Hedland for storage and shipping. The...

Gold potential confirmed at Black Swan Four promising gold in soil anomalies have been identified at Poseidon Nickel’s (ASX: POS) Black Swan project in WA. In August, Poseidon collected 362 soil samples from a wide spaced reconnaissance soil sampling program with the samples then tested using UltraFine+ analysis. The most coherent anomaly, which is located at the Wilson’s prospect, assayed up to 54 parts per billion (ppb) gold and measures 1.4km by 1km in size. Furthermore, the anomaly covers an area adjacent to the previously reported gold bearing rock chips which graded...