FLSmidth has secured a major order in Chile to supply core grinding technologies for a new copper grinding line, including high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) and a ball mill. The package follows earlier collaborative engineering work on the mine’s expansion and is positioned as the next phase of a long-term process plant partnership with the unnamed customer. For process engineers, the HPGR–ball mill configuration signals continued confidence in energy-efficient comminution flowsheets for large-scale copper operations in the Andean region.

Australia’s Resources Minister Madeleine King is using IMARC 2026 in Sydney to position the country as a central hub in global critical minerals supply chains, with a strong focus on lithium, nickel and rare earths projects. The event is expected to draw thousands of delegates and several hundred exhibitors across exploration, mine automation and downstream processing, including OEMs showcasing autonomous haulage fleets and OEM-agnostic fleet management systems. For engineers, the agenda signals continued investment in electrified mobile equipment, high-throughput ore sorting and low-carbon refining technologies.

Superior Industries is making its patented Titanium Seal standard on all conveyor idlers, shifting it from a premium option to baseline specification across its bulk material handling range. The seal is engineered to protect idler bearings from contamination and extend service life by at least 25% compared with conventional designs, directly targeting failures from dust and moisture ingress on overland and plant conveyors. For mine operators, the change signals longer idler replacement intervals, reduced unplanned stoppages and potentially lower spares inventories on high-tonnage conveyor systems.