SME MINEXCHANGE organisers have opened the call for 2027 conference speakers, inviting 100-word technical abstracts from mining operators, academics and technology providers worldwide. The annual event’s programme typically spans underground and open-pit operations, tailings and waste management, automation and digitalisation, ventilation, rock mechanics and ESG-focused mine planning. Early abstract submission gives practitioners a route to present detailed case studies, new equipment performance data and novel geotechnical or processing methods directly to a global audience of engineers and mine managers.

BHP is replacing the radiators across its light vehicle fleet at the Olympic Dam operation in South Australia with Terrain Tamer Heavy Duty pressed aluminium units after an almost 12‑month in‑field trial. The heavy-duty radiators are designed for higher vibration and thermal loads typical of underground and surface mine roads, offering improved cooling performance and resistance to core and tank fatigue compared with standard OEM units. For maintenance teams, the change points to reduced unplanned LV downtime and lower cooling‑system failure risk in high‑dust, high‑ambient conditions.

RCT – Powered by Epiroc has supported the restart of a historic Canadian nickel mine as it transitions from underground to open-pit operations, partnering with the mining services contractor leading site operations. The project centres on deploying RCT automation and remote-control solutions on surface production fleets to separate operators from active faces and highwall hazards. For geotechnical and mine planners, the move to surface mining with tele-remote equipment changes pit design constraints, traffic patterns and berm requirements, enabling more aggressive pushback sequences while maintaining operator exclusion zones.