Marc Laboratory solutions

Anglo American uses ‘nature’s fingerprint’ at rehabilitated mine sites Anglo American is harnessing cutting-edge DNA technology for use in ecological monitoring and mine rehabilitation across the Bowen Basin in Queensland.Using environmental DNA, also known as eDNA, teams have been collecting microscopic traces of genetic material left behind by plants, animals, bacteria and fungi in soil and water samples across Anglo American’s five steelmaking coal mine sites.In the newest toolkit addition, environment teams are also now collecting DNA from the air using easy-to-deploy sample collection kits — utilising the same science used from forensic investigations — to track native species living in or passing through rehabilitated mining land as well as mining offset areas.Anglo American environmental manager Jason Fittler says the technology was helping his team better understand how biodiversity was returning to formerly mined areas.“Every plant, animal or insect leaves behind tiny fragments of DNA in water, soil or air,” he said.“By analysing those samples, we can build a detailed picture of what species are living in or moving through our rehabilitated sites.“At one site, we detected four species of fish, 13 species of birds and three mammals — all in a single sample without having to physically see them.”In some areas, environmental specialists were taking about 30 samples at a time on each mine site alongside traditional fauna and flora monitoring completed annually.“This method complements our traditional monitoring as we can detect a different range of plants and animals through DNA,” Mr Fittler said.“It’s a non-invasive, efficient and highly accurate way to measure environmental recovery.”The samples are analysed in laboratories where results are matched using national and international genetic databases to confirm species presence and help track biodiversity trends over time.EnviroDNA principal scientist Luke Noble says eDNA allows access to a broad slice of biodiversity — plants, fungi and animals — across marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments.“These generate thousands and thousands of biological indicators to track the restoration process, the condition of the soil and the condition of the broader ecosystem as it transitions back to a more natural state,” he said.“Environmental DNA is pretty much everywhere you look — you just need a method to concentrate it or access it in useful ways.“DNA is unlike other technologies because its power comes from being an indirect detection method. It tells you what has been at or near the site you sampled.“By building up a picture of detections through time, we can have much more confidence about what we’re seeing.“Air eDNA, which is in the research and development phase, is a super exciting new development. It has the potential to do for terrestrial environments what eDNA has already done for aquatic ecosystems.”This method is superior to conventional ecological monitoring which sometimes fails to record individual species if they are not observed during the survey period.“This approach not only reduces the need for disruptive monitoring techniques but also gives us richer insights into how ecosystems are recovering,” Mr Fittler said.“Through DNA sampling, we can detect plants and animals from microscopic skin flakes, a strand of fur, a feather fragment or even a microscopic piece of faeces.“We gather this DNA through soil and water sampling, but we can now also collect DNA through particles passing through the air using a suspended filter, similar to a Chux cleaning cloth in appearance.“When we set these up, we can detect gliders, koalas, bats, dogs, cows — just about anything that comes near the cloth.”This innovation is helping Anglo American deliver world-class environmental outcomes in its land rehabilitation journey.Mr Fittler says one of the most exciting findings so far was the discovery of fish in water ponds created above underground mine subsidence rehabilitation areas.“While the how remains a mystery, finding fish in the ponds we have created on subsided land shows just how incredible nature can be,” he said.Anglo American’s rehabilitation areas have been progressively restored to native vegetation, with eDNA data providing independent verification of ecological progress.“We’re using science to tell the story of nature’s comeback,” Mr Fittler said.“These results show life is returning, and thriving, in the places we once mined.”

BHP backs next wave of exploration and technology talent BHP (ASX: BHP) has selected 10 junior exploration and technology companies for its 2026 Xplor program, marking the largest cohort since the program began.Now in its fourth year of operation, the Xplor program reflects a more connected approach to early-stage exploration, where geological insight, data and emerging technologies increasingly intersect — with collaboration across disciplines central to how discovery evolves.As exploration moves into more remote and geologically complex environments, this intersection of expertise is opening up new possibilities for how mineral systems are understood, tested, and advanced at the earliest stages.BHP Group exploration officer Tim O’Connor says exploration is evolving quickly.“New tools, better data and different ways of working are changing how early-stage ideas are tested and refined,” he said.“This cohort reflects that shift, bringing together explorers and technology developers who are approaching discovery in thoughtful and practical ways. Xplor gives us a valuable opportunity to learn alongside them and explore what discovery could look like in the future.”The cohort was selected based on the strength of their ideas, technical capability and potential to contribute to the long-term supply of future-facing commodities.Each company will receive an equity-free grant of about $717,000 , along with structured learning, mentoring and access to BHP specialists across exploration, technology and commercial functions.BHP Xplor head Marley Palin says the 2026 cohort reflects how broad and dynamic early-stage discovery has become.“We’re seeing exciting ideas emerge across exploration, data and technology, often at the same time and in the same places,” she said.“Bringing these teams together through Xplor creates a unique environment for collaboration, learning and experimentation — we’re looking forward to what this group will explore over the coming months.”Xplor 2026’s successful applicants FrontierX FrontierX is an early-stage uranium exploration company in Canada, formed by two BHP Xplor Year One alumni, Fabian Baker and Andrew Tunningley. Through Xplor, the company is undertaking a preliminary uranium project, focused on testing early geological concepts and building an initial understanding of exploration potential.    Litchfield MineralsLitchfield Minerals (ASX: LMS) is an Australian exploration company advancing copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold opportunities in the Northern Territory. Through Xplor, the company is focusing on its Oonagalabi project in the Arunta region, applying modern geophysics and targeted fieldwork to build a clearer picture of a large, underexplored mineral system.Orion MineralsOrion Minerals (ASX: ORN) is an exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of copper and zinc assets in South Africa’s Northern Cape. Through Xplor, Orion is applying modern data analytics and mineral systems thinking across its large tenement package to identify new discovery opportunities beyond known deposits.Otrera ResourcesOtrera Resources is an early-stage exploration company focused on sediment-hosted copper systems. Its Xplor project is centred on advancing new copper targets drawing on the team’s deep regional experience and modern geochemical and geological approaches.PT GeoFixPT GeoFix Indonesia is a multidisciplinary geoscience consultancy supporting mineral exploration across Southeast Asia. Through Xplor, GeoFix is applying its proprietary prospectivity tools and regional expertise to test new porphyry copper-gold exploration concepts in underexplored parts of the Sunda-Banda Arc.Utah Geological SurveyBased in the US, Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is Utah’s primary geoscience organisation, providing authoritative geological data and scientific insight to support resource management and exploration. Through Xplor, UGS is leading a regional mineral systems analysis across the eastern Great Basin, integrating new datasets and targeted fieldwork to improve understanding of mineral potential and make high-quality geoscience data publicly available.RadiXploreRadiXplore is an Australian technology company using artificial intelligence to analyse historical exploration records alongside modern geological and corporate data. Through Xplor, RadiXplore is applying its AI platform to copper exploration, testing how legacy data can be re-interpreted to surface overlooked opportunities and support earlier, more informed discovery decisions.MineuralMineural is a Canadian deep-tech company using artificial intelligence to help exploration teams identify and prioritise mineral targets more efficiently. Through Xplor, Mineural is applying its AI platform, IRIS, to copper exploration, combining machine learning with BHP’s geological expertise to test how AI can support earlier, more responsible discovery decisions.VectOres ScienceVectOres Science is a US-based mining technology company developing non-invasive hydrogeochemical and isotopic tools to support mineral exploration. Through Xplor, the company is applying its water and isotope chemistry platform to test how real-time primary data can help identify and prioritise mineral systems earlier, without reliance on initial drilling.Discovery GenomicsDiscovery Genomics is a Canadian technology company developing DNA sequencing as a new tool for mineral exploration. Through Xplor, the company is advancing its genomics platform for copper exploration, testing how microbial DNA signatures can help identify buried mineral systems in covered and complex terrains.

WesTrac field service technician Leon Archibald was crowned runner-up in the Caterpillar Global Dealership Technician Challenge in the US.The global competition was first introduced in 2024 to recognise the critical role technicians play in keeping major industries operating, while also showcasing the world-class technical skills across Caterpillar’s global dealer network.Held over three days in Illinois, the challenge tested finalists through a series of high-pressure, real-world scenarios — requiring them to diagnose and repair complex mechanical faults under strict time limits.Mr Archibald, from WA, says the experience was both challenging and rewarding.“It’s been a long process, nearly two years, so to go through all that and get that result is amazing,” he said.“I didn’t think there’d be anything like this , you meet a lot more people and become more widely known.“It’s hard to explain the exact feeling of a podium finish, but it was great.”The result follows Mr Archibald’s standout performance at the semi-finals held in Spain last year, where he placed first against elite technicians from across Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, securing his spot in the final.Mr Archibald was supported by mentor Peter Bardwell, who helped prepare him for the intensity of the international competition.Mr Bardwell says Mr Archibald’s calm approach on the global stage was the key to his success.“Leon is extremely determined and his technical knowledge is by far the best I’ve seen,” he said.“He was able to shake off some minor things that didn’t quite go our way.“It was such a privilege for me to join him in his journey to success. He is truly deserving of this accomplishment.”WesTrac WA chief executive Jarvas Croome says the result was a proud moment for not only the company, but the state.“Leon’s achievement is an incredible proud moment for WesTrac,” he said.“Standing among the world’s best technicians is no small feat and Leon’s success is a testament to his skill and a powerful example of what investment in our people looks like.”

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has commenced construction at its largest solar development at the 440MW Solomon Airport solar farm in the Pilbara. Anticipated to be completed during 2028, the project is set to become the largest solar development in WA, with about 671,000 solar panels to be installed during the build and will supply about a third of Fortescue’s solar capacity required to achieve its net zero goals.  Fortescue metals and operations chief executive Dino Otranto says across the Pilbara, Fortescue is using the region’s sun and wind to generate green power for our sites. “We’re building the solar and wind farms, connecting them through our high-voltage transmission network and backing them with battery storage to provide 24/7 firm power,” he said. “Importantly, each successive solar project is being delivered more efficiently than the last. As technology improves and we gain scale, our installed capital intensity continues to come down — strengthening the economics of replacing diesel and gas with renewable energy.” A proposed 644MW solar farm at Turner River is also anticipated to commence construction later this year.  Together with the existing 100MW North Star Junction solar farm, the Solomon, Cloudbreak and Turner River projects will deliver about 1.3GW of solar capacity — equivalent to powering about half a million Australian homes each year. Construction is also underway at Fortescue’s 133MW Nullagine wind farm. Through Pilbara Energy Connect, Fortescue has already constructed more than 480km of high-voltage transmission lines across the Pilbara. Once complete, the network will extend to more than 620km, physically linking Fortescue’s energy assets to its operations and rail network.