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Articles by Will Owen
Fortescue signs first green grid power deal, securing 20-year customer
Fortescue has signed its first power purchase agreement, making PLS Group the first external customer for its Green Grid and marking a major step towards establishing Fortescue as an energy supplier in the Pilbara. Under the 20-year agreement, Fortescue has committed to supply a minimum 325 GWh of power annually to PLS’ Pilgangoora Operation, with supply expected to commence in 2029. That’s equivalent to the annual electricity use of around 45 000 Australian homes.
Major Drilling acquires Bunbury Drilling Company
Major Drilling Group International Inc., through its Australian subsidiary, Major Drilling Pty Ltd, has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Bunbury Drilling Company (BDC), a leading specialised mine dewatering drilling contractor based in Bunbury, Western Australia, for an upfront cash payment of AUS$50 million, with an additional AUS$20 million available through an earn-out, for total consideration of up to AUS$70 million, or approximately CAN$69 million.
Improving iron ore asset performance in Brazil through lifecycle protection
Iron ore operations in Brazil face a familiar reliability challenge: abrasive process materials, corrosion and material build-up progressively affect equipment condition. When these mechanisms are treated as isolated maintenance events, the result can be recurring shutdowns, difficult-to-predict interventions and lost availability across interconnected assets.
Mitsui delivers new Wind Challenger-equipped coal carrier to Kansai Electric Power
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the delivery and entry into service of an LNG dual-fuel coal carrier constructed as a dedicated vessel for Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. The vessel is Japan’s first coal carrier equipped with the Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted propulsion system. A naming and delivery ceremony were held at Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. to mark the vessel’s completion, during which the vessel was named ‘MAIZURU KAZENOMAI’.
New longwalls commissioned in Pniówek and Knurów
Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) has launched two new mining longwalls at its Pniówek and Knurów operations in Silesia, Poland. Longwall N-9 was recently commissioned at the Pniówek mine, providing reserves of high-quality coking coal of 308 000 t. The longwall is 106 m long and its strike is 658 m. Its height is 4.2 m. It was equipped with 69 powered support sections. The longwall will remain in operation until June 2027. This is the second longwall being mined in the N-2 area.
A mine shift handover needs more than an AI summary
Imagine a mineral-processing plant nearing the end of a night shift. A conveyor drive shows an unusual vibration trend. An operator records the reading, but the cause remains uncertain. The outgoing supervisor asks an AI tool to summarise the shift. It produces a fluent account suggesting a routine equipment fluctuation. The next crew receives a reassuring explanation, yet the original observation and uncertainty have slipped out of view.
Accelerating mine surveying with UAV technology
Ibrahim Amin, Deputy Manager – Mine Planning & Reconciliation, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), describes how drone-based surveying at Thar Coal Mine cuts survey turnaround from 8 – 10 days to one day, reduces personnel exposure by about 90%, and provides detailed spatial data for faster operational decisions. Mining is a dynamic operation in which production, overburden removal, and changing terrain demand frequent and accurate surveys.
EXIM Chairman signs letter of support for NioCorp’s Elk Creek Mine
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman, John Jovanovic, recently joined the US Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, Governor Jim Pillen, Senators Deb Fischer, and Pete Ricketts, Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03), and senior NioCorp leadership for a tour of its Elk Creek mine site. The mine marks a crucial development in securing American supply chains and US energy dominance.
US DOE’s HGEO executes first-ever license for TRIG gasification technology
The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) has executed its first-ever non-exclusive license with Latitude Energy Services for Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG™) technology. The license is limited to the power field of use. Latitude independently holds the rights to TRIG in the industrial field of use, which will be complemented by this license.
Stress-testing the shipping model
A mineral export project may appear attractive when production costs, selling prices, and indicative ocean freight are entered into a financial model. Yet shipping assumptions are often not tested against port conditions or the vessel market. The problem usually emerges when the first cargo approaches shipment.
Africa’s next mining boom must deliver more than minerals
Across Africa, the debate around mining is moving beyond the question of how to attract investment. Governments are increasingly looking to turn mineral wealth into jobs, industrial capacity, and greater value at home, while communities are demanding a meaningful stake in the projects taking place around them. The focus is shifting towards where the value goes when ore leaves the ground. That shift has particular significance as demand for critical minerals grows.
Coal India ramps up coal supplies
Amid growing power demand, Coal India Limited (CIL) augmented its coal supplies by 12.5% to 61.20 million t in September FY26/27, compared with 54.40 million t during the corresponding month of the previous fiscal. Supplies to the power sector also registered strong growth of 10.63%, during the month rising to 48.90 million t from 44.20 million t in previous fiscal.
Hunter Valley Operations coal mine approved with conditions
The approval comes with obligations relating to greenhouse gas emissions, including implementing measures to limit coal exports to jurisdictions that have policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement, maximising the use of renewable energy at the mine and purchasing additional carbon offsets. The development application and its assessment were referred to the Commission by the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure on 12 June 2026.
Shubarkol komir awarded Bettercoal Producer status
JSC Shubarkol komir has officially been confirmed as having achieved Bettercoal Producer status, marking an important milestone in its commitment to responsible mining practices. Shubarkol komir underwent a Bettercoal Site Assessment in November 2025.
Greenland Mines applauds formal signing of security agreement at UN
Greenland Mines Ltd has released a statement applauding the formal signing at the UN General Assembly of the new security agreement among the US, Denmark, and Greenland. The signing formalises the framework announced on Friday 18 September 2026, and marks a significant milestone in strengthening long-term Arctic and North Atlantic security. The agreement underscores Greenland’s growing strategic importance to the US and the Western alliance.
Why port productivity can change the economics of a coal voyage
Konstantin Kalnyi, CEO & Founder, Kiev Shipping Ltd, outlines how port delays, terminal productivity, and realistic laytime assumptions can affect the final cost of a coal voyage as much as the negotiated freight rate. A coal freight quotation may appear to be driven mainly by vessel size, route, and market conditions. In practice, the time a vessel is expected to spend in port can be just as important.
Coal India reports increased total coal supplies for August
Coal India Ltd (CIL) increased its total coal supplies to 60.6 million t in August FY26 – 27, registering a 5.5% growth over the 57.40 million t supplied during August FY25 – 26. The company also recorded a 4.5% growth in coal supplies to the power sector during the month, reaching 48.46 million t, compared to 46.39 million t in August FY25 – 26.
Why strengthening America’s rare minerals supply chain starts beyond the mine
Jay Shidler, Director of Business Recruitment, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, emphasises the case for strengthening domestic processing and manufacturing, as part of larger critical-mineral supply chain efforts. As the US looks to put a greater emphasis on strengthening the country’s critical-mineral supply chains, it is important that America’s strategy goes beyond the mine.
Vizsla Copper acquires precious metal and gold projects from Agnico Eagle
Vizsla Copper Corp. has entered into a securities and asset purchase agreement with Agnico Eagle (USA) Ltd to acquire a 100% interest in the Delta base and precious metal project and the Helm Bay gold project – expanding its Alaska portfolio. Delta is a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) project near the Alaska Highway in central Alaska.
Global Mining Review Spotlight with Regal Rexnord
Published by Will Owen, Editor Global Mining Review, Tuesday, 15 September 2026 11:57 In this latest Global Mining Review Spotlight Interview, Editor, Will Owen, is joined by Tyler Calvert, Application Engineering at Regal Rexnord.
GEL to deliver Europe’s first ‘technical grade’ lithium carbonate on a commercial scale
Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) recently announced a major technological milestone in the production of lithium onshore in the UK. In a European first, independent analysis has shown that GEL’s lithium carbonate produced from deep geothermal brine now exceeds the 99.3% purity specification and can be classified as ‘technical grade’ material.
Stanmore agrees to acquire Moranbah South
Stanmore Resources Ltd has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in the Moranbah South (MBS) tenements from Exxaro Resources Ltd and its wholly owned Australian subsidiaries. The consideration payable to Exxaro in connection with the transaction will be US$105 million, with completion conditional on Exxaro’s subsidiaries first holding a 100% interest in the MBS tenements.
IEA: Global coal demand set to increase this year amid Middle East conflict
Energy market disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East are pushing global coal demand higher this year as sharp rises in natural gas prices prompt countries to turn to alternative sources, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s latest update on the coal sector.
Metso to deliver key processing equipment for the Yitirrti copper-zinc-silver project
Metso has been awarded orders by GR Engineering Services (GRES) to deliver key minerals processing technology for Develop Global’s Yitirrti (formerly called Sulphur Springs) copper-zinc-silver project in Western Australia. The value of the order, which is not disclosed, has been booked in the Minerals segment’s 2Q26 orders received. The Yitirrti project is a high-grade copper-zinc-silver deposit located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Rox signs Native Title Mining Agreement for Youanmi Gold Mine
Rox Resources Ltd has signed a Native Title Mining Agreement with the Badimia Barna Native Title Claim Applicant in relation to the company’s Youanmi Gold Mine in Western Australia. A Native Title Mining Agreement has been entered into by Rox Resources Ltd and its wholly owned subsidiary Rox (Murchison) Pty Ltd with the authorised representatives of the Badimia Barna Native Title Claim Applicant (WAD 258/2024).
Telemetric load monitoring in underground conveyor chains
Accurately capturing mechanical loads in high-stress underground mining equipment is a major technological challenge. Armoured face conveyors (AFCs) in longwall mining operate under extreme conditions, facing complex dynamic forces that analytical models cannot reliably predict.
Sandvik to supply underground mining fleet, financing solution to Lucara’s Karowe diamond mine
Sandvik has received orders from Lucara Botswana Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Lucara Diamond Corp., to supply a 15-unit fleet of underground drills and loaders, plus parts, rock tools and related services, for the Karowe diamond mine. The order supports the mine’s ongoing underground development and is complemented by a Sandvik Financial Services (SFS) financing solution backed by a guarantee from the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN).
Mastermyne awards GM3 new Dendrobium mining services contract
Mastermyne Group Ltd has announced the execution of a new mining services contract with GM3 for its Dendrobium underground coal mine in New South Wales. The contract is for an initial term of two years plus two x two-year extension options, with works scheduled to commence in September 2026. Gross revenues across the initial two-year term are estimated to be approximately US$85 million.
Global challenges, local opportunities: IMARC 2026 puts strategy into action
Geopolitical instability, the race to secure critical minerals supply chains, rising demand for key resources, and the rapid deployment of AI are reshaping the global mining industry – and putting a new premium on turning ambition into action. That challenge will be at the heart of the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC) when the global resources sector converges on Sydney from 27 – 29 October 2026.
Designed for the mine of the future: Why South32 selected the Jameson Concentrator for Hermosa
South32’s Hermosa project is setting a new benchmark for mine design, with Glencore Technology’s Jameson Concentrator selected to support a safer, more efficient, and increasingly automated processing operation. Located in Arizona, USA, Hermosa is a critical minerals project designed to supply zinc, manganese, silver, and other metals essential to the energy transition.
Clinch announces acquisition of second equipment spread for Lanes Branch Surface Mine
Clinch Resources Ltd., a metallurgical coal producer with mining assets in West Virginia, has acquired a second equipment spread for the Lanes Branch surface mining operation. According to the company’s recent announcement, the equipment will be fully deployed and in production in early September 2026.
Vale and ABB to accelerate digital transformation in Brazilian mineral production
Vale and ABB have signed a strategic alliance with the aim of expanding the use of automation and AI technologies to increase safety, productivity, and sustainability in mineral production in Brazil. It follows the inauguration of one of the most advanced iron ore processing plants in the industry, Vale’s Conceição II Model Plant in Itabira, Minas Gerais.
Yari Resources to acquire Arcadia Coal Project
Yari Resources Ltd is significantly expanding its coal resource base in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin, entering into a binding conditional Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire a 100% interest in the Arcadia Coal Project, via the acquisition of 100% of the issued capital of Northern Comet Resources Company. Completion is subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent, including Yari shareholder approval.
Normet launches industry-first HX-Bolt
Normet has launched HX-Bolt, a new hybrid anchorage system that offers rapid dynamic support and robust long-term reinforcement in varied ground conditions. Designed for underground mining applications, HX-Bolt combines mechanical, frictional, and bonded anchorage principles to provide adaptable ground support across a wide range of operating conditions.
Akobo Minerals releases operational update
Akobo Minerals AB, the Scandinavian-based gold producer operating in Ethiopia, has published its July 2026 operational update. July was a strong operational month, with all parts of the operation performing well. Mining and processing activities continued according to plan, supporting steady gold production and ongoing development work. Shaft development progressed well during the latter part of the month.
Glencore Technology to install Albion Process at Rox Resources’ Youanmi Gold Project
Glencore Technology has announced the installation of its Albion Process oxidative leaching technology at Rox Resources’ Youanmi Gold Project in Western Australia. Designed to economically treat refractory and semi-refractory ores, the project marks another important milestone for the Albion Process as miners increasingly seek practical solutions to unlock the next generation of gold deposits.
ARAMINE launches ARAMAC
This evolution reflects Aramine’s commitment to giving a distinct identity to an activity that has been developed over more than 20 years and has grown into a globally recognised underground mining equipment manufacturer. Since its inception, Aramine has supported mining operations around the world through its expertise in equipment, spare parts and services.
German-Chilean networking platform ‘PaNaBat’ launched
Lithium has become an indispensable part of our daily lives, however its extraction faces criticism because it harms the environment and local livelihoods. New technologies could bring about a decisive breakthrough. This is where the new German-Chilean research project ‘PaNaBat’ comes in.
Expomin 2027 announces honorary president
Chile’s Minister of Economy and Mining, Daniel Mas, will lead the 19th edition of Latin America’s premier mining exhibition and congress, to be held from 20 – 24 April 2027, at Espacio Riesco. His participation aims to strengthen the link between industry development, innovation, and the country’s economic growth. Chilean mining is facing one of the most decisive moments in its history.
Strengthen your strategic roadmap at Smithers’ MetCoke World Summit 2026
Smithers will host the MetCoke World Summit from 10 – 11 November 2026 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown – Broadway. For over 20 years, MetCoke has been the premier conference for the coke, coal, and steel supply chains. With rising import costs, falling coke prices, and labour/regulation challenges, there has never been a greater need to gather as an industry and identify a path forward.
Closing the loop in remote mining on-site food waste valorisation
Martin Rohleder, CIRC B.V., highlights how one of the most persistent challenges facing remote mining sites is also one of the most solvable. Remote mining operations face a unique combination of environmental expectations and logistical constraints.
De Beers targets long-term value creation as diamond production slows
De Beers Group is advancing the delivery of its business streamlining by setting out a number of planned portfolio and organisational changes to ensure an efficient cost base that strengthens resilience in the near-term, while enhancing future competitiveness and retaining optionality as industry conditions improve.
NSW Government announces master plan for BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal site
BHP’s vision for a positive legacy from mining at its Mt Arthur Coal site has taken a key step forward as NSW’s Government announces its ‘Mt Arthur Coal Mine Transformation Precinct Master Plan’ and rezoning proposal for the site. The Master Plan proposes Mt Arthur Coal mine land be rezoned to allow for uses in addition to mining, a key step in enabling a range of future uses of the site’s infrastructure once BHP stops mining. The proposal has the potential to: Rezone approximately 5400 ha.
Powering overland and underground conveying
Gunnar Zergiebel, Dr. Mario Dilefeld, and Steffen Vollrath, TAKRAF, describe how the evolution of gearless drive conveyors over the past decades is reshaping how modern mining conveyors are designed, operated, and maintained. While gearless drive technology has been in use in a wide range of industrial sectors, including mining, for almost six decades, it was not until the 1980s that the concept was first applied to conveyors.
Prioritising reliability in dust suppression for MENA mining
Mohamed Ghali, Komet Irrigation, explores why reliability is becoming a key consideration in dust suppression systems and how this supports safer, more efficient mining operations. Mining activity across the Middle East and North Africa is entering a period of significant growth. Driven by economic diversification initiatives and increased investment in domestic mineral resources, countries – such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt – are expanding their mining sectors at pace.
Facing East: What India’s steel expansion means for US metallurgical coal
US metallurgical coal did not fade, it repositioned. Mustafa Iqbal, Founder, Bloor Square Capital, considers how, as India’s blast furnace capacity expands, producers with reserves, costs, and export infrastructure are winning a selective, durable opportunity. On 9 June 2026, S&P Global reported that Indian steelmakers have entered a multi-year investment cycle. The top four steel producers announced a 40% year-on-year increase in CAPEX for fiscal 2027, bringing committed capital to Rs 700 billion.
Why mining needs a whole-of-value-chain perspective
Mining has become exceptionally effective at driving efficiencies within individual functions. Procurement teams negotiate harder. Operations pursue productivity improvements. Processing plants optimise recoveries. Smelters focus on throughput and stability. The challenge, according to AECI Mining, is that the connections between these decisions are not always visible.
MINEXCHANGE 2027 call for abstracts now open
SME has announced a call for abstracts for its next annual conference and expo, MINEXCHANGE 2027, due to take place from 28 February to 3 March 2027 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Each year, a diverse array of international experts from operations, academia, and beyond come together to deliver an unrivalled technical programme featuring the latest knowledge covering all aspects of mining.
Veracio and Bureau Veritas expand Latin American partnership
VERACIO and Bureau Veritas have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a strategic commercial collaboration focused on expanding access to advanced geological scanning technologies across Latin America. The agreement covers Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil, with the potential to expand into additional Latin American markets in the future.
Aqseptence agrees sale of Diemme Filtration to Sandvik Group
Aqseptence Group GmbH, the international equipment and solutions provider majority owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P.’s Power Opportunities strategy, has signed an agreement to sell one of its divisions, Diemme Filtration, to Sandvik Group. The transaction represents another important milestone in Diemme’s growth journey.
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