Last Caterpillar R2900G loader off the production line has been delivered to a long‑running Queensland silver‑lead mine fitted with RCT – Powered by Epiroc’s AutoNav multi‑machine automation system. The mine, which has used RCT control and automation on its underground LHD fleet for nearly 30 years, now runs AutoNav across its production loaders and added four new units last year. Fitting AutoNav to the final R2900G signals continued investment in autonomous tramming and centralised control rather than immediate wholesale fleet replacement.

Austral Resources will pay $51.98 million to terminate the Anthill Project Agreement with Glencore and Secover, removing caps that restricted copper cathode output from its Mt Kelly heap leach–SXEW facility in northwest Queensland. The change gives Austral full marketing control over production from the Anthill open pit and any future Mt Kelly satellite pits, directly exposing the company to current high copper prices. For mine planners and metallurgists, the move enables flexible throughput, scheduling and potential debottlenecking at Mt Kelly without third-party offtake constraints.

Whitehaven Coal produced 10.7Mt of managed run-of-mine coal in the June quarter, with Queensland operations rebounding after earlier weather-related disruptions to hit the top end of its 2025–26 guidance for both ROM output and coal sales. The strong quarter follows heavy rainfall and flooding that constrained production in the first half of the financial year, particularly in open-cut pits and haulage circuits. Consistent delivery against guidance despite climate-driven volatility will keep geotechnical and mine planners focused on pit dewatering capacity, haul road drainage and wet-weather operating envelopes.