Cementation Africa has completed Thungela Resources’ Zibulo North Shaft decline under demanding underground conditions, using a continuous miner for a critical phase of advance rather than conventional drill-and-blast. Project Manager Peter Mazibuko credits the team’s underground coal expertise and close collaboration with the client for enabling safe deployment of the continuous miner in a constrained decline environment. For mine developers, the project signals growing confidence in mechanised decline development to accelerate schedules where geology and layout permit.

First Quantum Minerals has secured a patent and trademark for Quantum Electra-Haul, its proprietary trolley-assist haulage system, formalising the technology it has been rolling out across its global copper operations. The system integrates overhead electric trolley lines with large diesel-electric haul trucks, allowing trucks to draw grid power on uphill hauls and cut diesel burn and emissions on high-intensity ramps. For mine planners and electrical engineers, the move signals continued large-scale investment in trolley-ready pit designs, high-voltage reticulation, and compatible truck fleets.

Komatsu has appointed M+C Saatchi Performance to run a US-wide talent awareness and acquisition campaign targeting its mining business, aiming to reach candidates beyond traditional engineering and operator pools. The partnership will use performance marketing and data-driven audience segmentation to promote roles linked to Komatsu’s autonomous haulage systems, electric drive trucks and mine automation technologies. For mine operators and contractors, this signals continued competition for skilled labour in areas such as fleet maintenance, control-room operations and digital support functions.