Lynas Rare Earths has signed a binding letter of intent with the United States Department of War to finalise a long-term supply agreement for separated rare earth oxides into the US defence industrial base. The deal is expected to draw on production from Lynas’ Mt Weld mine and its cracking and leaching plant in Kalgoorlie, alongside downstream separation capacity in Malaysia and planned US facilities. For mining and processing engineers, the agreement signals sustained demand for high-spec NdPr and other magnet materials, reinforcing the case for process debottlenecking and capacity expansions.

CSIRO is running farm-based trials to test low-frequency wireless signals for use in underground and remote mining connectivity, targeting conditions where conventional Wi-Fi and LTE struggle with rock mass attenuation and long drifts. Researchers are assessing signal penetration through soil and vegetation, antenna configurations, and power requirements to understand how similar systems could maintain links to autonomous trucks and sensors in deep headings and block caves. Early results will inform network design choices for mines seeking robust, low-bandwidth control and monitoring channels alongside existing high-frequency systems.

Leading miners have already committed to the dedicated Mining Pavilion at the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) 2026 in Mackay, signalling strong demand for exhibition space focused on Queensland coal, critical minerals and METS technology. The pavilion will again consolidate OEMs, contract miners and technology suppliers in a single hall, streamlining access to drill-and-blast systems, fleet management platforms and underground automation solutions for site decision-makers. For engineers and mine managers, QME 2026 offers a concentrated venue to compare equipment specifications, digital tools and brownfield upgrade options against current site constraints.