US Departments of Energy and Labor have signed a five-year MoU to accelerate deployment of AI, automation and advanced sensors across US mining, linking DOE’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office and Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation with DOL’s Mine Safety and Health Administration. The partnership will run joint research, testing and demonstration projects with the National Energy Technology Laboratory Coal Center of Excellence, focusing on next‑generation mining systems and hazard detection. Workstreams include digitising legacy mining data, improving public mineral resource datasets on federally managed lands, and expanding technology-focused training for miners.

VDI is showcasing Yutong’s mine-spec electric and diesel personnel buses at QME 2026 in Mackay, including free test drives of the C12 demonstrator across all three days. The C12 is configured for mining shuttle duty, with high-capacity seating and heavy-duty suspension suited to Bowen Basin and Pilbara haul roads, and is offered in both battery-electric and conventional diesel variants. For site operators, the display gives a direct comparison of zero-emission battery systems against established diesel platforms for crew transport logistics and maintenance planning.

CAPS Australia is promoting mine-spec compressed air and power generation systems at QME 2026, drawing on more than 45 years’ experience and a national network of 10 branches to support remote and harsh mining environments. The company engineers customised compressor and generator packages in-house, with mine-duty features such as heavy filtration, high-dust cooling systems and robust enclosures tailored to Australian pit and plant conditions. For site engineers, the pitch centres on reliability, reduced unplanned downtime and locally supported maintenance regimes for critical air and power infrastructure.