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.

Global bauxite production is forecast to grow in 2025, but analysts warn that political instability and recent export disruptions in Guinea – which supplies more than a quarter of seaborne bauxite – could tighten alumina refineries’ feedstock security. Australia, producing around 100Mtpa from large open‑cut operations in Queensland and the Northern Territory, is expected to provide stable output and shipping, with no major greenfield capacity changes flagged. Any prolonged Guinean constraint would likely redirect Chinese and Middle Eastern offtake towards Australian and Indonesian ore, affecting contract terms and freight dynamics.