BHP is working with Microsoft to deploy AI agents to accelerate discovery of advanced copper leaching chemistries, replacing slow, manual trial‑and‑error testing of millions of potential molecules. The system uses large‑scale computational screening to predict leach reagent performance on different ore types, aiming to improve copper recovery from low‑grade and complex ores where conventional sulphide flotation or heap leach kinetics are marginal. For mine planners and metallurgists, this could shift testwork programmes towards AI‑guided candidate selection, reducing lab cycles and de‑risking leach circuit design.

Colorado School of Mines and ElementUSA have secured US$67 million from the US Department of Energy to build a rare earth element extraction and processing plant treating alumina refinery tailings at Gramercy, Louisiana. The DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Materials is backing the project as one of only two funded initiatives, targeting recovery of REEs from existing bauxite residue streams rather than new mining. For process engineers and tailings specialists, the scheme signals growing support for hydrometallurgical upgrading and reprocessing of legacy red mud deposits.

RCT – Powered by Epiroc has opened a new branch in Orange, New South Wales, co-located with fellow Epiroc acquisition JTMEC at Leewood Drive to consolidate automation, control and electrical support for local underground mines. The site will act as a regional base for commissioning and servicing RCT’s ControlMaster automation and remote-control systems on LHDs, trucks and drill rigs, alongside JTMEC’s mine electrical and power distribution services. For operators in the central west NSW gold and base metals belt, the move should shorten response times and simplify integration of OEM-agnostic automation with site power infrastructure.