Veolia and SBM Offshore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop floating production units (FPUs) that integrate Veolia’s advanced reverse osmosis desalination systems with SBM’s offshore platform engineering. The FPUs are aimed at supplying freshwater to offshore and coastal industrial users, including remote mining operations constrained by onshore water scarcity and limited pipeline corridors. For mine planners and process engineers, the concept signals potential new options for securing process water without large terrestrial intakes, dams or long-distance transfer schemes.

Metso will supply a gold processing plant worth about €128 million ($149 million) to Ma’aden’s Ar Rjum mine, located roughly 200 km northeast of Ta’if in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Region. The package includes process equipment plus advisory services covering installation, commissioning and start-up, indicating a turnkey-style delivery rather than simple component supply. For project teams, the integrated support should reduce interface risk during ramp-up and streamline process optimisation in the early production phase.

Cavotec has secured an order from TAKRAF India to supply seven cable reel systems and six hose reel systems for a major Moroccan phosphate and sulphur processing and manufacturing complex. The integrated reels will deliver power and fluid services to TAKRAF bulk handling equipment, supporting continuous operation of large conveyors, stackers or loaders in a highly abrasive, corrosive environment. For engineers, the project signals ongoing demand for robust reeling solutions in North African phosphate logistics, with emphasis on safe cable management and reduced maintenance on moving yard machinery.