BHP incoming chief executive Brandon Craig has met Chinalco chair Ao Hong in Beijing, signalling a renewed alignment between the world’s largest diversified miner and China’s biggest state-owned aluminium producer. The talks centre on long-term supply security for iron ore and copper, with BHP’s Pilbara operations and Escondida copper mine likely to feature in any expanded offtake or joint development arrangements. For miners and project developers, the move points to continued Chinese backing for large-scale steel and energy-transition metals demand, supporting new brownfield expansions over greenfield risk.

Atlas Copco is targeting mineral processing plants with its oil-free ZS screw blowers, designed to deliver clean, ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compressed air for flotation cells, pneumatic conveying and filter presses. The units use variable speed drives and high-efficiency screw elements to cut specific energy consumption compared with conventional lobe blowers, while maintaining stable low-pressure air in the typical 0.3–1.5 bar(g) range. For plant engineers, the main gains are reduced blower-room power draw, lower heat load on ventilation systems and more consistent air supply to critical process circuits.

Glencore Technology is promoting its Jameson Cell flotation units and IsaMill fine grinding technology as miners confront declining ore grades and more complex mineralogy. The Jameson Cell, already installed at sites such as Mount Isa Mines, delivers intensive aeration and fine bubble generation in a compact footprint, while IsaMill units provide energy-efficient ultrafine grinding down to the 10–20µm range. Together, these circuits aim to lift recoveries from low-grade, refractory ores and defer cut-off grade increases in existing operations.