Alligator Energy has begun uranium extraction in the field leach trial at its Samphire in-situ recovery (ISR) project near Whyalla, South Australia, a key step towards proving commercial ISR performance in the Eyre Peninsula’s shallow sandstone aquifers. The trial will operate a closed-circuit lixiviant system through a dedicated wellfield to generate real-time data on uranium recovery, solution chemistry and groundwater behaviour under controlled drawdown. Results will drive final well spacing, pump sizing and process plant design, and feed into regulatory approvals for full-scale ISR mining.

Hitachi Construction Machinery has shortlisted 10 global start-ups, including Australian firm LANDCROS, to pitch mining technologies at its Mining Innovation Challenge in Brisbane on 27 March. Finalists will present solutions spanning AI-based fleet optimisation, autonomous haulage support and predictive maintenance for ultra-large excavators and rigid dump trucks used in large open-pit operations. For mine operators, the event signals where OEM-backed innovation is heading on topics such as interoperability with existing fleet management systems and reducing unplanned downtime on high-capex mobile assets.

Metso is reporting strong early uptake of its performance-based Life Cycle Services (LCS) contracts for slurry and process pumps, bundling condition monitoring, wear-part supply and remote performance management into multi-year agreements. The model shifts customers from ad hoc maintenance to guaranteed availability and efficiency targets, with Metso using installed sensors and analytics to optimise impeller, liner and seal replacement intervals. For mine operators, the approach concentrates risk and accountability with a single OEM, with potential to stabilise pump uptime on critical dewatering, tailings and mill-circuit duties.