Mineral Technologies has launched mtOne, a real-time automation platform for spiral gravity separators that it positions as a complete re‑design of spiral operation from 2026 onwards. The system is aimed at replacing manual “walk‑by” inspection and adjustment of spiral banks with continuous monitoring and automated control of operating parameters. For plant metallurgists and process control teams, this signals a shift towards closed-loop optimisation of spiral circuits, with potential impacts on staffing patterns, sampling strategies and integration with existing SCADA/DCS infrastructure.

New iron ore pricing arrangements being trialled between Chinese steel mills and major Australian producers such as Rio Tinto have prompted the Australian Government to step up monitoring of contract structures and benchmark references. Officials are scrutinising shifts away from traditional Platts index-linked, 62% Fe fines contracts towards more flexible, possibly shorter-tenor or blended-grade pricing formulas negotiated directly with Chinese buyers. Any move in large-volume offtake contracts could alter realised prices at Pilbara operations, affect mine planning and grade control strategies, and influence long-term investment assumptions for new iron ore capacity.

Rox Resources is accelerating development of its 100 per cent-owned Youanmi gold project in Western Australia, advancing underground mine planning, drilling and early works towards first gold production. The brownfields operation, centred on historic high-grade lodes, is being progressed in parallel on multiple fronts, including resource definition drilling and underground access preparation. For geotechnical and mining teams, the key focus will be integrating new underground designs with legacy workings and optimising ground support and sequencing in a previously mined, structurally complex goldfield.