BHP is working with Microsoft to deploy AI agents to accelerate discovery of advanced copper leaching chemistries, replacing slow, manual trial‑and‑error testing of millions of potential molecules. The system uses large‑scale computational screening to predict leach reagent performance on different ore types, aiming to improve copper recovery from low‑grade and complex ores where conventional sulphide flotation or heap leach kinetics are marginal. For mine planners and metallurgists, this could shift testwork programmes towards AI‑guided candidate selection, reducing lab cycles and de‑risking leach circuit design.

Colorado School of Mines and ElementUSA have secured US$67 million from the US Department of Energy to build a rare earth element extraction and processing plant treating alumina refinery tailings at Gramercy, Louisiana. The DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Materials is backing the project as one of only two funded initiatives, targeting recovery of REEs from existing bauxite residue streams rather than new mining. For process engineers and tailings specialists, the scheme signals growing support for hydrometallurgical upgrading and reprocessing of legacy red mud deposits.

Sandvik has introduced the Tundo RH700 cluster hammer unit for its DU300-series and DU400-series in-the-hole (ITH) longhole drill rigs, allowing rapid changeovers between standard production drilling and fully mechanised slot raising on the same carrier. The RH700 cluster configuration is aimed at boosting rig utilisation across existing ITH fleets by eliminating the need for dedicated raiseboring units and associated rehandling. For mine planners and drill‑and‑blast engineers, this supports more flexible slot design and potentially tighter drilling schedules without additional capital equipment.