Mining Engineering’s Weekly Rundown: Episode 19

First up, Canadian miner Teck Resources has announced a company-wide operations review, holding off on approving major growth projects until its Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile reaches stable output. The company has appointed former BHP executive Daniel Malchuk as special advisor to CEO Jonathan Price, with a focus on tailings management and operational performance. Teck’s shares rose after the announcement, though analysts at RBC Capital Markets caution that uncertainty may linger until the company updates its guidance in October. The review comes just a year after Teck sold its steelmaking coal business to Glencore, and analysts warn that tailings issues at QB could weigh on production through 2026. For now, Teck says its Highland Valley extension project in Canada is moving ahead as planned.

Next, in a major technological milestone, Epiroc and Luck Stone have introduced the first fully autonomous SmartROC D65 drill rig in the U.S. aggregate market, and the first in the world for quarries. The SmartROC D65 MKII can execute complete drill patterns without an operator in the cab, meeting the Global Mining Guidelines Group’s Level 4 autonomy standard. Luck Stone, already known for adopting autonomous plants and haulage systems, is positioning automation as central to safety, productivity and workforce development. Epiroc says the deployment demonstrates that autonomy in quarries is no longer a vision of the future, but a reality today. Supported by James River Equipment for service and training, the rig highlights the potential for scaling autonomy in the largest aggregate market worldwide, addressing both efficiency and labor shortages.

Finally, the International Council on Mining and Metals has welcomed Maaden, Saudi Arabia’s mining giant, as its 26th company member and its first from the Middle East. Following a rigorous admission process, Maaden was endorsed by ICMM’s council of CEOs, joining with a commitment to the group’s Mining Principles on environmental, social and governance standards. Established in 1997, Maaden operates across phosphates, aluminum, gold and copper, and has ambitious plans to expand tenfold by 2040. ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dhawan said Maaden’s leadership and growth ambitions are well-aligned with the council’s sustainability goals, while Maaden’s CEO Bob Wilt emphasized the importance of contributing to global conversations that will shape the future of responsible mining. Membership commits the company to performance expectations that now apply to around 650 sites across 50 countries.

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