Epiroc has secured a large order to supply a fleet of Pit Viper 351 surface blasthole drill rigs to a major Peruvian copper mine operated by a consortium of leading Chinese investment firms and an Australia-headquartered global miner. The Pit Viper 351 units, typically configured for large-diameter production holes and high bench heights, will be deployed to support a mine expansion phase. For drill and blast engineers, the standardisation on a single large-rig platform signals higher bench productivity and tighter control of fragmentation and blast patterns.

Global Lithium Resources is acquiring IGO’s Nova nickel operation in Western Australia via its subsidiary GL1 HoldCo No 3 Pty Ltd to fast‑track development of the nearby Manna lithium project and cut upfront capital. The deal gives Global Lithium access to Nova’s existing underground mine, processing plant and site infrastructure, enabling potential shared power, camp, haulage and permitting synergies rather than building greenfield facilities at Manna. For engineers, the transaction signals a shift towards hub‑and‑spoke use of established base‑metal plants to de‑risk new lithium assets.

Core Lithium has begun mining at the Grants open pit within the Finniss Lithium Operation in the Northern Territory, with the pit expected to deliver about 784,000 tonnes of lithium ore. The company remains on schedule for its first shipment of newly produced SC5 spodumene concentrate in the second quarter of 2026, signalling a move from development into early production. For geotechnical and mine planners, the ramp-up at Grants sets the reference geometry, pit wall performance and ore scheduling parameters for subsequent Finniss pits.