Macmahon Underground Pty Ltd has been named preferred mining contractor by the Central Tanami Project Joint Venture between Tanami Gold NL and MGX Resources Limited for the Groundrush exploration decline in the Tanami region. The scope centres on developing an underground exploration decline to access the Groundrush orebody, signalling a shift from surface exploration to underground resource definition drilling. Contractors and suppliers should anticipate demand for decline development services, ground support, ventilation, and underground power reticulation suited to remote, arid conditions in central Australia.

Heidelberg Materials has commissioned a converted Class 08e battery electric shunting locomotive for Whatley Quarry, the first electric shunter to operate at any UK quarry. Rebuilt by Positive Traction from a withdrawn diesel unit, the loco uses six Powerpod battery packs providing 600 kWh of energy and up to 50% more tractive effort than the original configuration. The deployment supports Heidelberg’s target to cut delivery transport emissions by 15% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline, signalling practical zero‑emission options for heavy rail movements on quarry sites.

Rox Resources has reported new high-grade gold intercepts outside the current definitive feasibility study mine plan at the Youanmi gold project in Western Australia, signalling potential to extend the planned underground and open-pit mining inventory. The discovery sits beyond the existing resource envelope defined in the DFS, which already targets redevelopment of historic workings and existing processing infrastructure on site. For geotechnical and mine planners, the step-out mineralisation may require updated pit shells, revised stope designs and additional drilling to constrain geometry, continuity and ground conditions.