Category: Tech Talk

In the mining and metals industry, progress is often associated with scale - larger plants, higher throughputs, new technologies, and major capital investments. Breakthroughs are commonly imagined as the result of large projects: new grinding circuits, expanded flotation capacity, or entirely new processing routes.

Geographe has announced the upcoming launch of its latest Specialised Tooling™ innovation — the Ball Stud Bearing Installation & Removal Tool (BSBIRT). Available in Australia from January 2026, with international release plans to follow, the BSBIRT is purpose-built for the mining industry’s haul truck maintenance needs. It delivers a safer, faster, and more reliable solution for removing and installing stubborn ball stud bearings on Caterpillar 785, 789, and 793 haul trucks. Purpose-built for tough mining environments, the BSBIRT delivers measurable improvements to fleet uptime and technician safety. Raising the Standard for Haul Truck Maintenance Building on the success of Geographe’s original Ball Stud Removal Tool (BSRT) shown alongside the all new BSBIRT in the main image, the BSBIRT integrates hydraulic pressing technology…

F.E.S. TANKS is proud to have supplied the bulk storage tanks for Viva Energy’s major new $25 million lubricant facility at Karratha, which officially opened last month. The project features a bulk lubricant tank farm consisting of 10 x 200kl and 4 x 100kl containerised bulk storage tanks for 10 different oil based lubricants. The new F.E.S. tanks store 2.4 million litres of lubricants and are part of a state-of-the-art 1,000lpm loading and unloading lubricant management system built by Nqpetro, the main contractor on the project. F.E.S. TANKS worked closely with Nqpetro to ensure tank specifications, manufacturing and delivery were on time and within budget. This extended to the design and delivery of stairs, walkways, handrailing and tank top access. 10…

By Sebastián Faúndez, Practice Leader of Analytics at GEM Mining Consulting Introduction GEM Mining Consulting presented the results of a study that compares, within the same simulation environment, two fleet-dispatch strategies in an open-pit operation: a reinforcement learning (RL) policy and a traditional heuristic. The goal was to measure, under level rules and without external interference, how far AI-based optimization can go when the effective constraint is in the fleet rather than the plant. What GEM Mining Consulting Did and Why It Matters The consultancy designed a controlled experiment to answer a central question: can AI make better dispatch decisions than classic rules if everything else is held equal? When the bottleneck is in the fleet, due to availability, distances,…

By Patricio Faúndez, Practice Leader of Economics at GEM Mining Consulting Over the past decade, states have expanded their control over mining through new taxes, environmental rules, nationalizations, and trade restrictions, reshaping investment and competitiveness. This study reviews copper and nickel to ask a central question: is mining freer today than ten years ago? The debate is relevant, as rising demand for these metals will test how government policies shape both national competitiveness and global supply. Copper Over the past decade, copper mining in Chile, the DRC, and Peru (main producers) has experienced different forms of state intervention. Chile, while still the world’s top producer, lost long-term tax stability with the repeal of DL 600, introduced a progressive royalty under…

Ecocene’s Ecoda Platform Combines AI-Powered Analytics, Remote Sensing and Expert Validation to Deliver Stronger and More Sustainable Environmental Outcomes Ecocene, a leading Australian nature tech company, is transforming how mining and energy companies handle environmental data. By harnessing artificial intelligence, Ecocene empowers industry leaders to gather, interpret and apply complex ecological information – driving stronger environmental outcomes and improved project performance. Ecocene partners with some of the world’s largest mining and energy companies, including BHP, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Santos, Woodside and Chevron, who all recognise the importance of accurate, actionable environmental data. “We have continuously improved our Ecoda technology platform over the past decade to collate and interpret data, and we are delighted to share our increasingly sophisticated capabilities,”…

Fleet managers have an unenviable task of balancing competing requirements when selecting and equipping their teams’ light vehicle fleet. For the front-line operators who use the vehicle as their mobile workspace every day, functionality and the ability to get the job done is paramount. At the same time, safety and compliance staff are looking to ensure fleet consistency and adherence to all regulatory requirements, while procurement and finance staff are demanding value for money.  The unmatched expertise of Hidrive’s team of mobile workspace specialists can assist your organisation in navigating this potentially daunting process, leveraging their knowledge of industry best practice and peer case studies to give you certainty in your procurement decisions. STEP ONE: choosing the right vehicle for…

As Coerco continues to grow, we’re proud to support projects across Australia with a new, expanded presence on the east coast. We are now better equipped than ever to support projects nationwide, offering faster delivery times, localised support and a seamless experience from concept to completion. This strategic growth enhances our ability to provide innovative liquid management solutions to the mining, resources, civil construction and agricultural sectors across the country. Coerco chief executive Justin Jackson says the company’s mission is to find better ways to help industries manage liquid. “From conserving and reusing water to transporting it safely, we aim to be global leaders in liquid management,” he said. Solutions tailored to industry challenges At Coerco, we understand that every…

The mining industry, particularly in underground settings, faces severe air quality challenges, which have long posed risks to workers’ health and safety. Underground mining operations continuously generate high levels of airborne contaminants, including dust, gases, and particulate matter, due to activities like drilling, blasting, and material handling. The confined nature of these environments exacerbates the problem, allowing dust and harmful gases to potentially accumulate in hazardous concentrations. Among the most dangerous contaminants are ultra-fine dust particles, such as coal dust and silica, which can easily become respirable and penetrate deep into miners’ lungs. Exposure to these fine and ultra-fine particles can lead to chronic and debilitating lung diseases, such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis. Underground mining also suffers…

Global air compressor manufacturer ELGi Equipments has built a global reputation for its compressor technology breakthroughs and product range that delivers performance and energy efficiency. At ELGi, every system and every process is part of an unwavering commitment to be ‘Always Better’. This is a testament to the company’s portfolio of over two million compressors running across more than 100 countries, which includes an extensive dealer network across Australia. ELGi strives to ensure its customers achieve their productivity goals and keep the total cost of ownership low. It offers a complete range of compressed air solutions – from oil-lubricated, oil-free rotary screw compressors and oil-lubricated reciprocating compressors, to dryers, filters, and downstream accessories – that make up a portfolio of…