New research from Sandvik’s global engineering group points to a shrinking pipeline of mining engineers, with survey data showing young professionals rank decarbonisation projects, automation and digital systems above traditional pit or plant roles. Respondents cited reluctance to work FIFO rosters and in remote camps, and a preference for hybrid city-based roles linked to remote operations centres and OEM technology hubs. Sandvik argues miners must redesign graduate pathways around battery-electric fleets, data analytics and equipment condition monitoring to compete with infrastructure, renewables and tech employers.

Timken is promoting a broad portfolio of housed bearing units for mining applications, including solid-block spherical roller units and split-block designs aimed at high-load, contaminated environments on conveyors, crushers and vibrating screens. The units typically integrate triple-lip or labyrinth seals, ductile iron or cast steel housings and factory-set clearances to cope with misalignment, shock loads and abrasive fines common in fixed plant. For maintenance teams, the focus is on longer relubrication intervals, reduced unplanned stoppages and easier swap-out in cramped, dirty locations.

Rio Tinto and Viva Energy have completed a large-scale renewable diesel trial, showing haul trucks and other heavy mobile equipment can switch from conventional diesel with no changes to engines, fuel systems or maintenance schedules. The trial used drop-in hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)-type fuel in standard high-horsepower mining fleets, validating cold-start performance, fuel consumption and engine wear against OEM limits. Results indicate sites with existing diesel storage and distribution can cut Scope 1 emissions from mobile equipment rapidly by substituting fuel rather than retrofitting fleets.