Codelco’s Ministro Hales Division in Chile has secured unanimous approval from Antofagasta’s COEVA for its Future Development EIA, extending mine life from 2026 to 2054 on a planned investment of US$2.8 billion and enabling higher copper production. The long-life plan will require expanded open pit and underground works, new waste and tailings handling capacity, and upgrades to existing concentrator and smelting circuits. Geotechnical and environmental teams now face multi-decade commitments on pit slope stability, tailings stewardship and water management under tighter Chilean regulatory scrutiny.

BHP and Rio Tinto plan a joint Pilbara iron ore development targeting up to 200 million tonnes of production, signalling rare cooperation between the two dominant operators in Western Australia’s main export region. The venture is expected to leverage existing rail and port infrastructure at Port Hedland and Cape Lambert, potentially reducing unit costs compared with standalone greenfield expansions. For mine planners and geotechs, shared pit designs, haulage networks and waste dump layouts across adjoining tenements could drive standardised geotechnical models and common slope design criteria.

Aeris Resources has secured New South Wales Department of Planning approval for its Constellation copper project, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for development alongside the existing Tritton underground operation near Nyngan. The approval covers surface infrastructure and underground mine development to access the Constellation deposit, envisaged as a new ore source to extend Tritton’s processing life and copper output. Geotechnical and mine planning teams can now advance detailed designs for decline access, ground support and tailings/storage expansions under the approved conditions.