SME MINEXCHANGE organisers have opened the call for 2027 conference speakers, inviting 100-word technical abstracts from mining operators, academics and technology providers worldwide. The annual event’s programme typically spans underground and open-pit operations, tailings and waste management, automation and digitalisation, ventilation, rock mechanics and ESG-focused mine planning. Early abstract submission gives practitioners a route to present detailed case studies, new equipment performance data and novel geotechnical or processing methods directly to a global audience of engineers and mine managers.

Metso has signed two multi-year filtration Life Cycle Services agreements: a 5‑year contract with a major copper producer in South America and a 4‑year deal with a major lead/zinc producer in Asia Pacific. The LCS packages cover parts supply, planned maintenance and digital services for an extensive installed base of Larox® pressure filters used in concentrate dewatering. For plant operators, the deals signal continued OEM support for filter availability, cake moisture control and throughput stability over full asset life, rather than ad‑hoc component replacement.

RCT – Powered by Epiroc has supported the restart of a historic Canadian nickel mine as it transitions from underground to open-pit operations, partnering with the mining services contractor leading site operations. The project centres on deploying RCT automation and remote-control solutions on surface production fleets to separate operators from active faces and highwall hazards. For geotechnical and mine planners, the move to surface mining with tele-remote equipment changes pit design constraints, traffic patterns and berm requirements, enabling more aggressive pushback sequences while maintaining operator exclusion zones.