Six organisations have been shortlisted for the Copper to the World Innovation Hour, where they will pitch live in September to address copper-sector bottlenecks linked to the energy transition, electrification and digital infrastructure. The finalists are developing technologies aimed at improving copper discovery, extraction and processing performance, with a focus on higher throughput, lower unit energy use and reduced environmental footprint across existing operations. For mine planners and metallurgists, the event signals where near-term innovation funding and pilot deployments in copper mining and concentrator circuits are likely to concentrate.

Sandvik has appointed Thomas Vallant as President of its Ground Support division within Sandvik Mining, effective 1 August 2026. Vallant, who joined Sandvik in 2005, has over 20 years’ mining experience and most recently led the Mechanical Cutting division, which covers continuous miners and roadheaders used in hard-rock and soft-rock development. The move signals continuity between Sandvik’s mechanical cutting and rock reinforcement product lines, relevant for integrated ground support solutions in mechanised underground mines.

Sandvik Rock Processing is expanding its footprint in African mines and quarries with hydraulic rock breakers and breaker boom systems as operators push to maximise plant throughput and reduce crusher blockages. The company is leveraging factory-backed support from its South African facility, including rapid parts supply and on-site service teams, to compete against lower-cost import units that often lack spares and technical backup. For geotechnical and mining engineers, the shift suggests stronger demand for integrated rock breaking at primary crushers and tighter uptime expectations on critical comminution assets.