ICMM has released a Global Mining & Metals Greenhouse Gas Emissions Dataset and insights report showing that extraction of minerals critical for renewable energy technologies and sustainable development contributes a relatively small share of global GHG emissions. The dataset aggregates Scope 1 and 2 emissions from mining and metals operations worldwide and distinguishes them from downstream processing and end-use sectors such as power generation and transport. ICMM positions the tool to support more accurate value-chain accounting, scenario analysis and decarbonisation planning for commodities like copper, nickel, lithium and rare earths.

Construction has commenced on Fortescue’s 440 MW Solomon Airport solar farm in the Pilbara, set to be Western Australia’s largest solar development and supplying about one-third of the solar capacity the company says it needs to reach its Real Zero emissions target. The project will feed Fortescue’s nearby iron ore operations, reducing reliance on gas and diesel generation across the Solomon power network. For mine planners and electrical engineers, this scale of behind-the-fence renewables will drive changes in load management, network stability design and contingency planning for remote operations.

Huawei’s Mining Business Unit president Andy Wu claims the company is at least six months ahead of rivals in deploying 4G, private LTE and 5G connectivity tailored for mine sites, integrating networks with edge computing and cloud platforms. Solutions discussed include autonomous haulage over dedicated 5G slices, high‑definition video for crusher corridors and stockpile monitoring, and unified OT/IT architectures linking SCADA, fleet management and environmental sensors. For engineers, the message is that robust, low‑latency wireless backbones are becoming a prerequisite for scaling automation and data‑driven optimisation underground and in large open pits.