Regis Resources is flagging a “significant pipeline” of near-mine and regional exploration targets across its Duketon and Tropicana gold operations in Western Australia, aiming to extend mine life and lift mill feed quality. The company is focusing on brownfields drilling around existing open pits and underground workings, plus greenfields prospects along under-tested shear zones within its Duketon belt and the Tropicana joint venture corridor. For geotechs and mine planners, the message is to expect ongoing resource definition drilling, updated pit shells and potential underground studies rather than major new project footprints.

Harmony Gold has advanced its Eva copper project in Queensland by awarding Metso a major equipment contract as the greenfield mine moves towards site construction. The deal covers key comminution and processing plant components, with Metso to supply crushing and grinding equipment sized for large-scale copper throughput at one of Australia’s biggest planned copper developments. The contract signals design lock-in for the process flowsheet and allows detailed engineering, foundation design and construction scheduling to proceed on a firmer basis.

Mineral Resources (MinRes) has broken ground at its Lamb Creek iron ore project in the Pilbara, signalling the next phase of its onshore iron ore growth alongside existing hubs such as Iron Valley and Koolyanobbing. The project is expected to leverage MinRes’ integrated model of mine-to-port logistics, including its privately operated haulage and transhipping infrastructure, to move ore efficiently from remote deposits to coastal export points. For geotechnical and civil teams, early works will centre on pit development, haul road construction and foundation preparation for crushing and screening facilities in a cyclonic, high-temperature environment.