BHP has partnered with Chinese heavy machinery manufacturer XCMG for the delivery of mining fleet solutions across its global operations.
Under the global framework agreement, BHP and XCMG will co-develop solutions that will set new global standards for safety, efficiency, and sustainability for the mining industry.
This includes pathways for joint research and development of mining equipment, life cycle management strategies, alignment on emerging technology readiness, and the location of support service networks.
The agreement will combine XCMG’s large-scale mining machinery capabilities with BHP’s vast operational expertise. Both companies have committed to:
advancing joint research and development programs for next-generation mining equipment
establishing robust frameworks for life cycle asset management
building adaptable, localised support systems to ensure reliable equipment uptime
collaborating on the creation of new industry standards and best practices
accelerating global initiatives to decarbonise mining operations.
“This partnership with XCMG reflects BHP’s approach to working closely with strategic suppliers to shape the future of mining technology,” BHP Group procurement officer Rashpal Bhatti said.
“By combining our operational insight with XCMG’s innovation capability, we’re supporting the development of safer, more sustainable fleet solutions. It’s a strong step towards reducing emissions across our operations.”
The agreement was signed on June 10 at XCMG’s global headquarters in Xuzhou, China. XCMG said the partnership with BHP will allow both companies to swiftly adapt to evolving global expectations around environmental impact and digital transformation.
“As a global supplier of intelligent and green mine construction solutions, XCMG is proud to be empowering global mine operators,” XCMG chairman Yang Dongsheng said.
“Our engineering technology leadership will support the sustainable development of green mines alongside BHP. Together, we will set a new example of global mining cooperation.”
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Advanced grinding technologies have the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption. Image: FLS
FLS is taking a holistic view of the entire metallurgical process to unlock value across recovery, efficiency and sustainability.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), mineral demand is expected to triple by 2050, fuelled by economic growth, urbanisation, and a rising global population.
At the same time, the green transition will further drive demand for minerals like copper and lithium.
While recycling will play a role here, FLS head of innovation and MissionZero Lucy England said mining will be the key driver.
“The mining sector will need to meet most of the increased demand for minerals, but it must do so while reducing its own environmental and social sustainability,” she told Australian Mining.
“Driven by this challenge, we at FLS are committed to delivering solutions that shape tomorrow’s mine.”
FLS is doing this via its MissionZero Mine, which aims to empower miners to maximise productivity while reducing environmental impact across the mineral processing flowsheet.
At the heart of this approach is the company’s life-of-mine methodology, combining ore characteristics and customer needs to create flowsheets tailored to the mining site and application.
“At FLS, we like to say the secret is in the rocks,” England said. “By taking a holistic view of the entire metallurgical process and working in a fully integrated manner, we unlock value across recovery, efficiency, and sustainability.”
This approach enables operations to access lower-grade resources once deemed uneconomical, while reducing energy, water and land impacts.
“And it’s not just about having the best equipment – it’s about deploying it where and how it truly matters,” England said. “That’s how we help shape a mining industry that is more future-ready, responsible, and resilient.”
The FLS Minerals Testing and Research Centre is central to this approach. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the centre delivers state-of-the-art mineralogical and metallurgical testing services that underpin proper equipment selection, flowsheet design, plant troubleshooting, and research.
“No two deposits are the same, so this detailed testing ensures our flowsheets listen to the rocks to deliver an optimised, sustainable solution,” England said.
While FLS is most known for its equipment offering, its MissionZero Mine incorporates various innovations – some evolutionary, some revolutionary – that create a more sustainable mineral processing flowsheet of the future.
Several FLS REFLUX-based solutions are now available to the wider mining sector. Image: FLS
This includes a suite of grinding technologies.
“Advanced grinding technologies, such as high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), vertical roller mills (VRM), the FLS Tower Mill (FTM), or our Eccentric Roll Crusher (ERC), have the potential to reduce energy consumption in certain mineral processing flowsheets compared to traditional grinding methods,” England said.
“They may have a particular role as ores get harder and more disseminated, requiring more control over particle size to ensure effective liberation.”
Meanwhile, dry grinding processes like HPGR and VRM also improve water management.
“Dry grinding means the water added during post-grinding repulping can be tailored to optimise recovery in the flotation circuit,” England said.
“This compares to traditional flowsheets, where the grinding circuit determines the water content of slurries.”
A revolution in separation
Beyond the grinding equipment, FLS’ REFLUX family of technologies offers the opportunity to revolutionise mineral separation efficiency while significantly reducing energy and other inputs.
“The REFLUX concept was developed in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales,” England said.
“Combining inclined lamella plates with a fluidised bed, the REFLUX concept improves recovery of off-size particles, offers high throughput in a much reduced footprint, and cuts energy and water consumption, perfectly aligning with our goal to do more with less.”
Several REFLUX-based solutions are now available to the wider mining sector, including the recently commercialised REFLUX Flotation Cell (RFC) and coarseAIR coarse particle flotation technology.
The latter is a lynchpin of the MissionZero Mine, as coarse particle flotation significantly reduces comminution energy consumption and facilitates faster and more effective dewatering, enabling filtered or dry tailings.
Other dewatering solutions under development include advances in the design of high-rate and paste thickeners with the introduction of:
new rake designs for thickened tailings
the AFP2525 tailings filter press, which uses high pressures and low cycle times to achieve significantly larger single-machine capacities
EcoTails filtered tailings
EcoPaste tailings.
“We are also investing in research to address the issue of chemical build-up in recycled process water, which can impact flotation efficiency,” England said, noting the company offers MaxR systems and reactor clarifiers to treat acid water and heavy metals build-up in tailings water streams.
FLS KREBS pumps are common sights at many mine sites. Image: FLS
Tailings are also increasingly being recognised as an essential source of mineral production, as mining companies reevaluate what is economically viable to extract.
“We expect to see greater reprocessing of tailings and a sharper focus on co-products in mineral processing flowsheets of the future using our REFLUX classifier (RC) and Reflux GradePro classifier,” England said.
Pumping sustainably
FLS KREBS pumps are common sights at many mines, but they might not be the first things called to mind when thinking about sustainability.
The significant energy consumption of KREBS pumps makes them an important target for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy-based carbon emissions.
“A recent life cycle assessment demonstrated that the adoption of KREBS pumps can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through their enhanced energy efficiency when in operation,” England said.
Driving this benefit is the pumps’ patented wear ring technology. According to FLS, this minimises recirculation, reduces grinding losses, and extends the lifespan of wear components.
“Performance studies conducted at real-world mining operations have documented energy efficiency improvements ranging from 5.3 per cent to 34.1 per cent, depending on operating conditions,” England said.
Hot on pyrometallurgy
An essential – if sometimes overlooked – part of the mineral processing flowsheet is pyrometallurgy.
FLS has a long and distinguished history in pyroprocessing, having pioneered the coal-fired rotary kiln in the late nineteenth century.
Today, the company’s Pyro Technology Centre of Excellence in Allentown, Pennsylvania is leading the development of more sustainable pyrometallurgical processes for producing critical minerals, particularly lithium.
“Our innovative lithium pyro island for spodumene concentrate conversion is the culmination of our most advanced technologies working together and features our state-of-the-art preheaters and coolers,” England said.
“It enables us to extract the maximum amount of lithium from the spodumene concentrate while minimising energy use and reducing carbon intensity – again doing more with less.
“Meanwhile, our multiple hearth furnace supports circularity in lithium processing (as well as cutting Scope 3 carbon emissions) by enabling lithium producers to recycle the lime used in lithium hydroxide production.
“Our pyrometallurgical equipment can also run using alternative (non-fossil) biofuels, hydrogen, and electric heating technologies.”
Shaping the future, today
FLS firmly believes the future of mining is cleaner, more nature-positive, and more efficient.
“How individual mines achieve this will vary greatly,” England said. “There will be many flowsheets of the future, each contributing to a sustainable mining industry that not only provides the world with the minerals it needs to thrive.”
Weir at AGG-1 World of Asphalt 2025. Pictured left to right are Jarin Wildeman, Regional Sales Leader, North America; Magnus Skorvald, Global Product Manager – Crushers; Peter Brewitt, Global Product Manager Sand & Washing Plants; and Richard Uhlry, Area Sales Manager. Image/Guy Woodford
Sand production is in the spotlight, and Weir is seizing the opportunity to solve producers’ sand supply challenges. Aggregates Business reports
Sand demand far outpaces supply, and construction material producers grapple with what industry experts acknowledge as the ‘big sand shortage’.
Sand is regarded as the second-most used resource after water, and its usage in a wide range of products from concrete to glass means demand seems to be ever-increasing.
Researchers at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands examined demand and found that growth in demand, especially in lower-income regions like Western and Eastern Africa and parts of Southern Asia, could rise by 269 to 500 per cent by 2060.
Their report stated: “International cooperation in sand extraction, material recycling and building technologies is essential in addressing the inequalities in access to shelter and resources for infrastructure. Better governance and planning will be needed to ensure future generations will have enough sand resources.”
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found in 2022 that sand extraction is rising at around six per cent annually, with around 50 billion tonnes extracted globally. The UNEP researchers concluded that this rate was “unsustainable.”
“Our sand resources are not infinite, and we need to use them wisely. If we can get a grip on how to manage the most extracted solid material in the world, we can avert a crisis and move toward a circular economy,” GRID-Geneva director at UNEP Pascal Peduzzi said at the time of the report.
“To achieve sustainable development, we need to drastically change the way we produce, build and consume products, infrastructures and services.”
These statistics have led to a conversation around sand production globally, how it is extracted, and potential alternatives. While this focus is not new, it has started to impact what technology companies are turning to in key markets for their sand production businesses.
Weir’s global product manager for sand and washing plants, Peter Brewitt, said the business had seen shifts in key markets, including the US and Europe, with its Sandmaster equipment.
“The Sandmaster type technology has been standard across Europe for the past 20 years, and the US has only started adopting it relatively recently,” he told Aggregates Business at AGG-1/World of Asphalt 2025 in St Louis, Missouri (25-27 March 2025).
A Weir Sandmaster wash plant. Image/Weir
“There has been a slight shift in the acceptance of the technology. There has been a concentration on the sandscrews and bucket wheels and things like that, but people are beginning to realise how much more efficient the hydrocyclone-based technology is, and we believe we have the best cyclones and pumps on the market.
“It cuts the sand better, is cleaner, and recovers more. Old sandscrew technology means you’re losing 10-15 per cent of the sand, but hydrocyclone technology is recovering most of that.”
Weir released the Sandmaster in 2022 in response to customer feedback, which the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) listened to in several markets.
“Weir decided to manufacture sand wash plants because, like any product, it is important that it comes first from the customer and it is a customer need,” Weir’s vice president of strategy and transformation, Fred Bradner, said.
“We identified the need, and then we also found out there were many products that go into a sand wash plant that we already made.”
Weir designed the Sandmaster range to be portable and easy to assemble, operate, and maintain. This is partly made possible by the quality products Weir produces in-house through its global manufacturing facilities.
The Sandmaster wash plants include well-known parts from Weir, which are produced in-house to the company’s high standards. The Sandmaster sand wash plants also include WARMAN pumps, LINATEX rubber, ENDURON screens, Isogate valves, and CAVEX hydrocyclones.
The CAVEX hydrocyclones are mining-grade hydrocyclones adapted for the sand production industry. According to Weir, the LINATEX rubber lining used in the CAVEX hydrocyclones in Sandmaster plants is four times thicker than conventional linings used by some other producers. It is also included on all of the high-abrasion touchpoints within the machine. This enables customers to reduce their maintenance requirements and face less downtime.
The ENDURON screens have been a long-standing feature of Weir’s portfolio for the quarrying and aggregates industry. The design is well-regarded, and the polyurethane screen media and LINATEX rubber on all the hoses and touchpoints were developed in-house.
A WARMAN pump. Image/Weir
The Sandmaster plants are divided into the SP and DP series, which offer nuanced differences to suit the customer’s approach. Producers can make single-grade sand from the SP series. The SP series excels at removing excess fines or coarse material to deliver a low-moisture product that can be used for stockpiling or conveying. It can also be used to remove unwanted fines and/or clays, convert crusher dust, wash recycled or construction or demolition waste, or recover tailings and grit.
The DP series is capable of producing two separate sand products at the same time, including coarse and fine sand. Raw sand is separated by the split-deck ENDURON dewatering screen, with finer materials passed through into the sump. From there, it is pumped by a WARMAN WGR pump to the CAVEX hydrocyclone, which removes the ultra-fines before it is sent to the ENDURON screen for dewatering and discharged to the stockpile.
The versatility of the Sandmaster sand wash plants has been a key factor with a rise in producers using alternative materials, including crusher dust, to make manufactured sand.
Brewitt said the demand for manufactured sand is occurring in most major global markets.
“Natural sand is running out, so manufactured sand is becoming more and more important,“ he said.
“Crusher dust can be upgraded to manufactured sand with the correct washing, and that wasn’t the sentiment in the beginning.
“I think everyone thought manufactured sand might have been something new they needed to create, but now they’ve realised they just need to upgrade what they already have into a sellable material.
“In the past, it was just sitting there forever, but now, primarily due to legislation and particularly in Europe, local authorities are pushing this along and people are realising that there is quite a lot of sellable sand and aggregate to be made.
“We have to get the sand to a higher specification, a cleaner specification, and to do that, we have to adopt the newer technologies.“
As Brewitt described, some markets have come to rely on the sandscrew technology while others are pivoting to the hydrocyclone-based equipment, like the Sandmaster washplants.
Part of the reason producers are pivoting to the newer technology is the greater recovery rate of cyclone-based technologies. Hydrocyclone systems are better at capturing finer particles, while sand screws are better at dealing with coarse aggregates and changes in feed.
Jarin Wildeman, Weir Regional Sales Leader, NA, showcasing Weir BeltMetrics Gen 2 at AGG-1/World of Asphalt 2025. Image/Guy Woodford
Brewitt told Aggregates Business about how one Weir customer in the US purchased the first Sandmaster unit in the country. Previously, using a sandscrew, they estimated they were losing around 17 to 18 per cent of material during processing, with the losses compounding over time. Since transferring to a 150 tonne per hour (tph) Sandmaster sand wash plant, they have been impressed by its performance and plan to purchase more in the future.
Another customer in Ireland was producing coarse sand with a large amount of waste product. By switching to a Sandmaster sand wash plant, they produced coarse sand and fine sand, which became certified asphalt sand and created a new revenue stream for the business. This customer estimated they saw a return on investment from their Sandmaster unit within the first year of ownership.
“A small amount of capital expenditure on a Sandmaster can pay for itself in 12 to 18 months. The return on investment is absolutely stunning,“ Brewitt said.
“If you could tell your finance manager that you’ll get a return on investment in 12 to 18 months, they’d take the arm off you.“
Weir’s global network supports all of the Sandmaster sand wash plants, which can provide technical service and after-sales support. The company employs over 13,000 people across 60 countries to help its customers.
“The Sandmaster wash plants are supported by a global service network in service centres close to our customers. We have over 150 service centres around the world,“ Bradner said.
Weir BeltMetrics Gen 2
Weir Minerals notes that mine-to-mill optimisation relies on continuously evaluating blasting, crushing, and grinding operations. Monitoring material characteristics on the belt provides key insights into upstream performance, helping to identify issues with crusher throughput and enabling productive adjustments to maximise efficiency and output.
Weir’s AI and stereoscopic imaging-inclusive BeltMetrics Gen 2 belt monitoring solution, showcased at AGG-1/World of Asphalt 2025, is an accurate alternative to sieve analysis that doesn’t interrupt production. Receiving empty belt alerts and particle size data collected with the BeltMetrics system allows users to react quickly to upstream blockages and optimise crusher gap settings to ensure they hit their production goals.
“The biggest thing that our customers like about the solution is that it saves time doing physical belt cuts,“ explains Jarin Wildeman, Weir regional sales leader, North America. “Traditionally, you will have a mining engineer or a geologist taking several different belt cuts [to analyse production activity and maintenance needs]. This means the belt has to stop each time, disrupting production. BeltMetrics Gen 2 enables customers to focus on other areas of their operation.“
FLSmidth has agreed to sell its Cement business to an affiliate of Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, a global private equity firm specialising in carve-outs and other complex transactions, for an initial total sum of €75 million (DKK 550 million).
In early 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark-headquartered FLSmidth embarked on a strategic journey with the announcement of new pure-play strategies for its Mining and Cement businesses (ref. Company Announcement no. 2-2023). Since then, FLSmidth has simplified and rightsized both businesses to further strengthen their respective market positions, with a strategic focus on the core technologies and services required in the mining and cement industries. This has resulted in a significantly improved and more stable commercial and financial performance for both businesses.
On 29 January 2024 (ref. Company Announcement no. 1-2024), FLSmidth announced its intention to explore the available divestment options for its Cement business, with the objectives of enabling the Cement business to maximise its full potential as well as to further strengthen our Mining business’ market-leading position as a full flowsheet technology and service provider to the global mining industry.
Chair of the Board of Directors of FLSmidth, Mads Nipper, said: “I am incredibly proud of what our Cement business has achieved in its more than 140-year-long history with FLSmidth. We firmly believe that this divestment represents a pivotal step in unlocking the full potential for both our Mining and Cement businesses. Our Cement business is now well-positioned for future success, with the flexibility to pursue its strategic ambitions and create exciting new opportunities for its employees to innovate and grow.”
CEO of FLSmidth, Mikko Keto, comments: “The divestment allows us to sharpen our focus on our core Mining business, positioning FLSmidth as a pure-play leader in the mining industry. With a clear and focused Mining strategy, we are confident that we are well-positioned to drive long-term value for our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders and enhance our competitive position.”
Jason Leach, Partner and Investment Committee Member at Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, said: “We are excited to acquire FLSmidth Cement, a global leader providing mission-critical equipment and aftermarket solutions in the cement sector. The business has a rich history and strong brands, including Fuller, Pfister, and Ventomatic. We believe that cement will continue to play a crucial role in global economic development and that FLSmidth Cement’s product innovation will play an important role in the decarbonisation of the industry”.
Chris Sznewajs, Founder and Managing Partner at Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, said: “We are honoured to be the trusted partner for FLSmidth on this highly complex transaction. We strive to be the buyer of choice for corporate sellers, with the ability to seamlessly complete cross-border transactions.
“The Cement division is an excellent fit within our portfolio, given our focus on acquiring market-leading companies. We are impressed with the Company’s ability to deliver innovative, mission-critical solutions to its longstanding customers, and look forward to providing the necessary resources to support continued growth and value creation in partnership with management.”
Until the transaction is closed, FLSmidth Cement will continue to execute its GREEN 26 strategy and provide support and services to FLSmidth Cement.
Metso has broken ground at its new service centre in Prince George, British Columbia, bolstering the company’s ability to best serve the emerging Canadian mining region.
Originally announced in September 2024, the centre will service mining equipment used from pit to port, including filters, flotation cells, grinding mills, crushers, screens, pumps, apron feeders, slurry handling, thickeners, loading and hauling solutions, and chute lining solutions.
It will also possess warehousing capabilities for spare and wear parts while offering on-site inspections that are OEM (original equipment manufacturer) certified, turnkey service solutions, and off-site repairs.
“The investment decision, announced in September 2024, was very well received by our customers,” Metso vice president Canada sales and service Justin Ayotte said.
“Metso’s strengthened local presencewill enable faster repairs, shorter turnaround times, and increased sustainability by reducing transportation distances. We’re grateful for our customers’ trust, and we remain committed to becoming the preferred service provider in the industry.”
The service centre is expected to be fully operational by early 2026, creating jobs for skilled personnel such as service engineers and technical experts.
The service facility in British Columbia follows Metso celebrating the one-year anniversary of its service centre in Karratha, Western Australia, opening. The Karratha centre is the largest Metso service centre globally.
Metso is further increasing its global footprint by establishing a Metso training centre in Arizona, US, a repair centre expansion in Chile, and the construction of a new service centre in Peru.
The company is also increasing the repair shop area at its Arizonian service centre by nearly 60 per cent, which is expected to be completed in 2026.
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The Northern Territory Government is supporting resource development at one of Australia’s most remote gold mines, delivering jobs, investment and royalties for the community.
The Tanami gold mine, owned by Newmont, is expected to produce approximately 380,000 ounces (oz) of gold in 2025. With gold prices soaring, this level of production is set to deliver millions in royalty revenue to the Northern Territory economy.
Tanami has been producing gold since the early 1980s and has held the title of the world’s largest gold producer since 2002.
“The Tanami mine is a powerhouse of gold production and a major economic driver for the Territory,” NT Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley said.
“With expansion works well underway and record commodity prices, this project represents long-term jobs, royalties and investment for the Territory, exactly what our government is focused on delivering in our year of action, certainty and security.
“Our mining sector continues to lead the way in rebuilding the Territory economy, and the Tanami operation stands as proof of the opportunities that exist when government and industry work together.”
Maley visited the Tanami development in June, which is located approximately 550km northwest of Alice Springs.
Maley travelled 1.3km underground to inspect the mine’s operations, including a new ore crusher and the key Tanami expansion 2 project.
The Tanami expansion 2 project is expected to increase the operation’s average annual gold production by approximately 150,000–200,000oz per year to 600,000oz per year for the first five years.
It is also expected to reduce operating costs by approximately 10 per cent, significantly enhance the mine’s production capabilities and extend its operational life well beyond 2040, supporting around 1800 jobs.
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Copper concentrator at the Oyu Tolgoi mine (Image: Rio Tinto)/
Rio Tinto will commence work under a revised mine plan at the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold operation in Mongolia, with the mine’s board approving a new approach.
Oyu Tolgoi is a 66:34 joint venture (JV) between Rio Tinto and the Mongolian Government, with works having progressed in the Entrée Resources JV area while licence transfer discussions between Entrée Resources and the Mongolian Government continue.
Oyu Tolgoi, a world-class copper-gold deposit, remains on track for its long-term ramp-up. Rio Tinto has reaffirmed its 2025 copper production guidance of 780,000 to 850,000 tonnes (t), planning to ramp up production from panel 0 and expects to add panel 2 in 2026.
Under the original mine plan, panel 1 – which includes the Entrée JV area – was scheduled to contribute to production from 2027. However, that timeline is now subject to the resolution of the licensing matters.
“Transferring the licences for the Entrée joint venture area will maximise the value Oyu Tolgoi delivers for all parties, and we are continuing to work with the Government of Mongolia and Entrée Resources towards this outcome,” Rio Tinto copper chief executive Katie Jackson said.
“Our understanding of the ore body is growing as production and development progresses, further increasing our confidence and flexibility.
“With lateral development work only just beginning in panel 1, this is the right time to pivot and bring forward development in panel 2 south to maintain our options.”
While development in the Entrée area is paused, limited activity will continue in other parts of panel 1. Resources are being redeployed to bring forward work in panel 2 south, which lies outside the JV area.
From 2028 to 2036, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to produce an average of around 500,000t of copper per year, with flexibility to initiate production from either panel 1 or panel 2 south depending on the timing of licence transfers.
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The Western Range operation in WA. Image: Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto has officially opened its Western Range operation in Western Australia, joining the major miner’s integrated network of 17 iron ore mines, four independent port terminals, a rail network spanning nearly 2000km and related infrastructure.
A 54:46 joint venture between Rio Tinto and Baowu, Western Range has the capacity to produce up to 25 million tonnes of iron ore per annum and can sustain the existing Paraburdoo mining hub for up to 20 years.
Western Range saw the construction of a primary crusher and 18km conveyor system connecting to the existing Paraburdoo processing plant, which currently has more than 880 residential and FIFO (fly in, fly out) employees.
The project cost $US2 billion and was completed on time and on budget, following first ore being processed in late March.
“Opening Western Range is an important step in Rio Tinto’s extension plans in the Pilbara and ensures the longevity of one of our oldest mining hubs, Paraburdoo, which began operating in 1972,” Rio Tinto chief executive officer (CEO) Jakob Stausholm said.
“I’m particularly proud of the work we’ve done with the Yinhawangka People to develop Western Range and we’ll continue to work closely together.
“Partnering with Baowu ensures our biggest customer directly benefits with a consistent, dedicated supply of Rio Tinto’s world leading Pilbara Blend iron ore.”
To celebrate the milestone, several representatives attended the Western Range mine site for its official opening.
“The opening of Western Range is a significant achievement, and its importance to Western Australia’s economy cannot be overstated,” Cook said.
“My government will continue to back in our resources industry, which is creating quality jobs for Western Australians while helping us maintain the standard of life we all enjoy.”
King echoed similar sentiments.
“The opening of Western Range is fantastic news for the Pilbara, for Western Australians, for Traditional Owners and for the nation,” King said.
“The Pilbara is the engine room of the nation’s economy. Projects like Western Range will keep that engine running for future generations of Australians.”
Western Range is Rio Tinto’s first project to feature a co-designed social, cultural and heritage management plan (SCHMP) with the Yinhawangka Traditional Owners, which was originally announced in 2022.
“For Yinhawangka People, Country is everything – it holds our spirit, our law, and our deep responsibility to protect what was passed down to us,” Hayden said.
“The opening of the Western Range mine represents a shift in how our heritage is being recognised and respected. We acknowledge the work Rio Tinto has done to change how they engage with us, and the steps they’ve taken to build a stronger, more honest partnership.
“This is a meaningful beginning – and we stand ready to walk forward together.”
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ITT Blakers and Truflo Pumping Systems have partnered to expand their services across Australia. Image: Image: Truflo Pumping Systems
Truflo Pumping Systems is committed to providing top tier service to its clients, partnering with ITT Blakers in WA to help make a difference.
As mining operations across Australia continue to wrestle with downtime, Truflo Pumping Systems is investing heavily in after-sales support to ensure the downtime its clients experience is kept to a minimum.
A family-owned business with strong roots in Bathurst, Truflo Pumps is expanding its service capabilities across the country to match the reliability of its products.
Recently, Truflo Pumps secured a new alliance with ITT Blakers in Western Australia – an agreement that will be key to achieving its mission of providing top-tier customer service across Australia.
“We manufacture the pumps from start to finish, but what we really want to emphasise now is our repair sector,” Truflo Pumps national operations manager Jason Bemrose told Australian Mining.
“It used to be quite small, but we’re spending a lot of money to build it up so we can provide faster turnaround and stronger customer support.”
Bemrose said the company is placing greater emphasis on repairs, rebuilds and proactive stock holdings, especially in high-demand regions like Queensland and New South Wales.
“Customer support is very important to us,” he said. “To ensure our clients are happy, they need to be serviced quickly, so spending the money and putting the people on the ground is critical to make that happen.”
One of Truflo Pumps’ key initiatives is its investment in wet end stock to enable rapid repair by replacement services.
The company has also launched a successful service exchange program that provides quick replacement of pump components for clients with urgent needs.
“Through our service exchange program, clients send their unit in and receive a replacement unit right away,” Bemrose said. “Sometimes we have it there before they have even removed the old one and that reduces downtime to hours, not weeks.”
This model has resonated particularly well with clients operating in remote locations, where shipping delays can significantly impact production.
“The feedback from those remote sites has been very positive,” Bemrose said. “Some operations simply can’t afford to be down for more than a day or two, so our ability to provide quick turnaround is saving them time and money.”
Truflo Pumps’ partnership with ITT Blakers will expand that same support to WA.
“This is a strategic move to provide faster service and turnaround in WA,” Truflo Pumps’ national sales manager Martin Richardson told Australian Mining.
“ITT is a reputable name in the mining sector and the company is fully equipped to support our customers with rebuilds, overhauls, and stocking key components locally.”
Rather than building a standalone facility which could take years to construct, Truflo Pumps chose to work with an established partner in WA to ensure miners in the area get the same high-quality after-sales experience already available on the East coast.
“For us to establish our own workshop in WA, we’d be looking at a two-to-three-year timeline,” Richardson said. “But through this partnership, we can hit the ground running.”
He says this initiative supports the company’s long-term customer service vision.
“What we gain is customer satisfaction and long-term relationships, and that’s valuable to us.”
Truflo Pumps and ITT Blakers are cross-training staff and aligning systems in their NSW, Queensland and WA service centres to ensure consistency.
Teams from each company will travel between Bathurst and Perth to share knowledge, tools and processes.
“This isn’t just a case of slapping our name on a workshop,” Richardson said. “We’re training each other, investing in the right equipment and making sure we deliver a consistent Truflo Pumps experience.”
From the customer’s perspective, the process is designed to feel seamless, with a dedicated service email address that is monitored by ITT Blakers and Truflo staff to maintain open and timely communication.
“Our goal is for WA customers to feel like they’re working directly with Truflo Pumps,” Richardson said. “They reach out, they get a fast response, and their pump gets back on site quickly.
“It’s about delivering the same level of support no matter where in Australia they are.”
Truflo Pumps’ service exchange model continues to grow, now covering its core wet ends, as well as its Jumbo and Heli-Flo product lines.
With demand increasing for rapid replacement and rebuilds, the company plans to continue investing in stock, systems and people.
“Service exchange for Heli-Flo helical rotor pumps is a hot topic at the moment,” Richardson said. “We’re expanding into that now to keep up with demand.”
At the heart of Truflo Pump’ after-sales expansion is a commitment to reducing downtime and creating long-term value for mining clients.
“We’re not just here to sell a pump,” Richardson said. “We’re here to support our customers through the full life of the equipment and that means fast repairs, smart partnerships and always being ready to respond.”
Group 6’s Dolphin tungsten mine in King Island, Tasmania. Image: Group 6 Metals
The Tasmanian Government has issued a new $7.5 million loan to Group 6 Metals (G6M) to help stabilise operations at its Dolphin tungsten mine on King Island.
The financial support follows the Tasmanian Government’s recent conversion of a $10 million loan into equity, giving it a 12 per cent stake in G6M.
A Tasmanian Government spokesperson told the ABC the funding was approved because the mine is “critical” to the region’s economy and employment.
“The $7.5 million loan was an important element of the business transformation plan that aims to deliver operational improvements to mining and processing activities to achieve profitability and growth, as the demand for tungsten continues to grow,” the spokesperson said.
“The loan was independently assessed and recommended by the Tasmanian Development Board as being in the best interests of the mine, the Tasmanian mining sector and the King Island community.”
The Tasmanian Government approved the load at 12 per cent interest over a two-year period. It does not require additional budget funding, with the money coming from Tasmanian Development and Resources’ borrowing facility.
Tasmanian Business, Industry and Resources Minister Eric Abetz reaffirmed the State Government’s support of the mine in February following the initial $10 million loan.
“The Dolphin tungsten mine is a major employer on King Island and a key contributor to the local economy,” he said.
“This is intended to be a short to medium-term investment to help stabilise the mine through challenging global conditions.”
According to G6M, Dolphin hosts the highest-grade tungsten deposit of significant size in the Western world. It first operated from 1917 to 1992 before G6M recommenced operations in 2023. The mine currently employs about 95 people.
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