Brightstar Resources has reported positive drilling results and a modest mineral resource estimate (MRE) increase at its Lord Byron gold deposit in Western Australia, strengthening confidence in extending mine life within the Laverton gold project. The updated MRE, derived from recent reverse circulation and diamond drilling, refines grade continuity and mineralisation geometry around existing pit shells, improving pit optimisation and potential ore reserve conversion. For mine planners and geotechs, the tighter model supports more reliable slope design, scheduling, and cutback decisions in a mature brownfields setting.

Merger talks between Rio Tinto and Glencore are reported to be closer than ever, with both majors exploring potential corporate combinations that would create one of the world’s largest diversified miners across iron ore, copper, aluminium, coal and trading. Any deal would integrate Rio’s Pilbara iron ore system and Oyu Tolgoi copper operation with Glencore’s global copper, zinc and coal portfolio and its dominant commodity marketing arm. For engineers and contractors, a combined group could rationalise capital spend, consolidate project pipelines and reshape procurement and offtake terms across multiple regions.

Timken solid-block housed units, promoted in Australia by Motion, target crushers, conveyors and vibrating screens operating in high-shock, high-contamination mining environments where conventional split housings and standard deep-groove bearings often fail prematurely. The factory-assembled units combine a one-piece cast steel housing with triple-lip or labyrinth seals and full-contact bearing inserts, designed to tolerate heavy misalignment, shaft deflection and poor lubrication conditions typical of hard-rock and bulk-handling plants. For maintenance teams, the drop-in design and sealed-for-life options aim to cut unplanned downtime and reduce the frequency of relubrication in remote sites.