Founders Factory and Rio Tinto have selected a fifth cohort of five start-ups for their Mining Tech Accelerator, targeting high-impact operational challenges across the mining value chain. The global programme backs early-stage ventures developing tools such as advanced orebody characterisation, digital mine planning, and AI-driven decision support for processing and logistics. For engineers, the accelerator signals continued demand for deployable technologies that integrate with existing fleet management, plant control, and geoscience data systems rather than standalone pilots.

EACON and Tonly have unveiled the EQ100E, a purpose-built, cabless, battery-electric autonomous mining truck that integrates Tonly’s chassis and powertrain engineering with EACON’s drive‑by‑wire and autonomy stack. Designed from the outset for driverless haulage rather than retrofit, the EQ100E removes the operator compartment entirely, simplifying layout for high‑capacity battery packs, sensor arrays and redundant braking and steering controls. For mine planners, the platform signals a shift towards haul road, dump and crusher interface designs optimised around fully autonomous, zero‑emission truck fleets.

Macmahon Underground Pty Ltd has secured a two-year extension from Vault Minerals to continue providing underground mining services at the Daisy Milano gold mine in Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie region. The scope covers ongoing mine development and production activities, maintaining contractor continuity at a site where Macmahon has been operating since 2024. For geotechnical and production teams, the extension signals stable planning horizons for development drilling, ground support regimes and scheduling of stoping sequences over the next two years.