Bradken has inaugurated a dedicated mill liner foundry in Chilca, Peru, to localise manufacture of wear parts for large grinding mills across Latin American copper and gold operations. The facility is intended to shorten lead times and reduce import dependency by producing region-specific liner designs and alloys closer to major concentrator hubs in Peru and neighbouring countries. CEO Sean Winstone said the plant is aimed at improving supply chain resilience and enabling faster on-site technical support for SAG and ball mill relines.

Sandfire MATSA has completed the first 100% surface-initiated underground blast at the Sotiel polymetallic mine in Calañas, Huelva, working with contractor Insersa and explosives specialist MAXAM. The blast was fully controlled from surface, removing personnel from the immediate firing area and validating remote initiation across the mine’s existing underground communications and blasting infrastructure. The move signals wider deployment potential for digitally controlled blasting sequences in complex Iberian Pyrite Belt orebodies where multiple headings and constrained access raise exposure risks.

Stantec has been appointed by Anglo American as an engineering and project delivery partner for feasibility study services on the Woodsmith polyhalite mine in North Yorkshire, focusing on hoisting systems, production shafts, bulk material handling, and underground infrastructure. The work will refine designs for deep shaft hoisting and high-capacity ore handling needed to move polyhalite from the underground workings to surface processing and export infrastructure. For geotechnical and mining engineers, the study phase will shape shaft lining, ground support, and underground logistics concepts ahead of any major restart in capital deployment.