Scott Technology has secured a major contract to supply an Automated Modular Solution (AMS) crush cell to one of the world’s largest testing, inspection and certification providers, its first deployment of the Rocklabs AMS platform in a large-scale commercial minerals laboratory rather than an on-site mine lab. The modular crush cell automates sample receiving, crushing and splitting, aiming to standardise preparation workflows and reduce manual handling in high-throughput commercial assay operations. For geometallurgy and grade control teams, this signals growing availability of off-the-shelf automation in third‑party lab chains, not just bespoke mine-site systems.

ABB has launched Grinding Connect, a global digital service suite for gearless mill drive (GMD) systems that aggregates real-time condition data from critical grinding assets into a secure cloud platform. The service enables remote diagnostics, anomaly detection and predictive maintenance scheduling for large SAG and ball mills, aiming to cut unplanned GMD outages and optimise planned shutdowns. For process and maintenance engineers, the key change is earlier visibility of drive and stator issues, allowing targeted inspections and spares planning rather than time-based overhauls.

Normet has launched the Spraymec 2100, a self‑propelled concrete sprayer aimed at small to mid‑size underground mine envelopes where compact dimensions and manoeuvrability are critical. The unit is described as meeting current safety and emission requirements, offering a modernised option for sprayed concrete in headings too constrained for larger Spraymec models. For geotechnical and mining engineers, it signals another OEM push to standardise mechanised shotcrete in smaller drives, potentially reducing reliance on manual spraying in narrow vein or selective mining operations.