PROK has opened a new idler manufacturing facility in Johannesburg to supply conveyor components for African mining and bulk materials handling operations. The plant will produce PROK’s conveyor idlers and rollers locally, reducing lead times compared with imports and supporting large overland and in-plant conveyor installations. The investment signals a push for regionalised supply of wear-critical components, which could improve availability and lifecycle support for high-capacity conveyor systems in South African and neighbouring mines.

KGHM Polska Miedź SA and BHP, via BHP World Exploration Inc, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a formal framework for cooperation on copper-focused exploration and development projects. The MoU initiates structured technical dialogue between the two majors on potential joint work, likely covering greenfield targeting, resource definition drilling and project evaluation. For engineers, the move signals possible future collaboration on large-scale porphyry copper systems, shared geoscience datasets and standardised approaches to resource modelling and project development.

Viridis Mining and Minerals has placed its first major equipment order for the Colossus Rare Earth Project in Brazil, selecting a residue pressure filtration package from specialist clay filter press manufacturer Dewater Filter Press Srl of Cagli, Italy. The large pressure filter will handle clay-rich rare earth residues, a critical step for achieving low-moisture filter cakes suitable for dry stacking or controlled storage. The order signals Viridis’ move from project development towards an engineered flowsheet and defined tailings and residue management strategy.