China’s sudden halt of sulfuric acid exports, after shipping 4.65 million tonnes in 2025 (about 40% from metal smelters), has doubled delivered acid prices to Chile since February and is squeezing heap-leach copper operations in Chile, the DRC and Zambia. Randy Allen argues that for each tonne of copper from sulfide concentrates, 3–3.5 tonnes of sulfuric acid can be generated and monetised, alongside co-products such as ferrous sulfate and iron oxides. He points to pressure oxidation and electrochemical reductive leaching as non-combustion routes to capture copper and fully valorise sulfur, cutting SO₂ emissions and acid mine drainage risks.

Carmeuse is deploying Caterpillar’s MineStar Command for hauling across its fleet of Cat 777 rigid dump trucks at the Drummond Island limestone quarry in Michigan, with implementation delivered by Caterpillar and dealer Fabick Cat. The retrofit autonomous haulage system will convert the existing 777 fleet rather than replace it, signalling growing OEM support for autonomy on mid-size quarry trucks rather than only ultra-class units. For geotechnical and quarry planners, this raises the bar on traffic management design, berm standards and interaction rules for mixed autonomous–manual operations.

CIM has appointed Lucy Potter, currently general manager of technical and sustainability at Rio Tinto’s Iron & Titanium and Diamonds division, as president-elect for the 2028–29 term, following John Rhind (2026–27) and Randy Smallwood (2027–28). With more than 25 years’ experience across exploration, mineral resource stewardship, operations and technical governance at Rio Tinto and Glencore, Potter has previously served as global head of geology and mineral resources. Her mandate will centre on technical assurance, enterprise risk and sustainable production, with a strong emphasis on value-chain-wide knowledge sharing.