WORLD PROSPECTS
being assembled at a staging area. On the truck model, it adds that it has a maximum speed of 64.5 km / h and is equipped with a high performance engine to ensure power output is maintained in the open pit mining environment. The frame uses a high strength box cross section design, optimised for variable loads and high intensity continuous operations.
In order to drive OEM competitiveness, Exxaro has additionally procured seven 227 t class Komatsu 830E-5 diesel-electric drive mining trucks and three 221 t class Hitachi EH4000AC-3 diesel-electric mining trucks.
Exxaro added that it remains committed to delivering sustainable growth while ensuring safe, efficient, and responsible mining practices.
A fleet of XDE260 trucks is also being deployed elsewhere in Africa by SimFer at the Simandou iron ore mine in Guinea. The first trucks were shipped in December 2025. SimFer is a joint venture between Rio Tinto, Chinalco( CIOH), and the Government of Guinea and is mining Blocks 3 & 4 of the deposit.
https:// www. exxaro. com /; https:// www. xcmgglobal. com /
IDS GeoRadar launches ArcSAR Neo
IDS GeoRadar, part of Hexagon, has announced the launch of ArcSAR Neo, an industry-first Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar( GB SAR) system with true 3D resolution for 360 ° mine slope monitoring. ArcSAR Neo enhances the power of SAR technology to deliver highquality, reliable data that supports more effective risk management and informed safety decisions in challenging mining environments.
Unlike other existing GB SAR systems, which map two-dimensional radar data into three-dimensional models, ArcSAR Neo captures three-dimensional information directly during monitoring operations. ArcSAR Neo“ therefore delivers unmatched radar data clarity with reduced interference at the source. This ensures exceptional clarity in monitoring results and effectively mitigates typical challenges such as signal multipath or moving equipment, which can interfere with displacement measures.”
As a result, mine operators gain greater
confidence in alerts and trend analysis, supporting faster, more reliable safety decisions and reducing unnecessary operational interruptions.
In addition to its innovative true 3D radar acquisition, ArcSAR Neo’ s 360 ° camera with HDR imaging offers high-quality, georeferenced 360 ° panoramic imaging synchronised with 3D radar data, providing operators with valuable visual context to support the interpretation of monitoring data.“ Superior resolution and an extended monitoring range of up to six kilometres improve the early detection of movements and fast-evolving failures, such as bench scale instabilities. Designed for rapid deployment, the trailer-mounted system can be set up by a single operator in only approximately fifteen minutes.”
Building on the success of the C-thrue, launched in 2018, the smaller C-thrue XS is designed for use in hard-to-reach areas where construction professionals can easily manoeuvre the compact device. Its ergonomic and lightweight design of less than half a kilogram makes the scanning process a more comfortable experience.
Thanks to its dual-polarisation capability, users can do comprehensive scans in one go. This feature allows the scanner to send and receive signals in both horizontal and vertical orientations, ensuring more accurate and detailed results. Construction professionals benefit from a streamlined overall workflow and faster access to insights. With automatic real-time processing, the device promptly highlights targets and potential problem areas.
ArcSAR Neo can function entirely on solar energy thanks to its photovoltaic panels. However, for continuity in situations where sunlight is less available, users can choose to run the system on diesel
“ As mining operations continue to grow in scale and complexity, the expectations placed on slope monitoring are increasing,” says Niccolò Coli, President, Radar & Monitoring Division, Hexagon.“ Monitoring data is no longer just used to confirm conditions on site and act timely but is key to supporting faster and better-informed decisions as conditions evolve. ArcSAR Neo is designed to help deliver the level of data clarity and confidence that this operating environment demands.”
ArcSAR Neo is available in three different configurations( Tactical, Advance and Performance) to suit the size and strategic requirements of slope monitoring operations – from small pits to the largest open-pit mines – with a simple license change.
https:// idsgeoradar. com /
Bringing Aramine AutoNav Tele loader to life at Reward gold mine
RCT – Powered by Epiroc’ s AutoNav Tele is enhancing narrow vein mining at the
Vertex-operated Reward gold mine site at Hill End. The state-of-the-art, agnostic automation technology has been installed on the Aramine L350D mining loader, which recently arrived from France to Epiroc’ s Orange Service Centre.
The small underground loader is uniquely designed for narrow vein mining, making it a good fit for the mining operation in New South Wales, Australia. The historic gold mining town lay dormant for decades after mining operations ceased around 2010. Today, the site is undergoing a revival with the construction of a brand-new plant tailored for small-scale mining.
“ This is more than just a machine installation,” said RCT’ s East Coast Branch Manager, Owen Perrott.
“ We’ re introducing technology that can access areas previously unreachable, in this narrow vein mine, unlocking gold reserves left behind for decades,” he added.
With the Aramine machine, Vertex aims to efficiently extract gold from narrow, hard-toreach veins, demonstrating the potential for innovative technology in small-scale mining operations.
RCT’ s AutoNav Tele allows operators to control the loader with the same functionalities from a safe location, removing them from the machine and allowing it to access the narrow vein mines with ease.
This is the first time RCT has installed its technology on Vertex’ s Aramine loader, and RCT is proud to be the technology provider of choice for the project.
“ Design was completed in collaboration between our experienced Field Service Technician, Tim Halstead, based in Orange, and the Brisbane Branch team,” said Perrott.
The installation was challenging due to the machine’ s size and limited available space and required the team to collaborate with Aramine to ensure the machine met Australian Standards.
In addition to this, a custom‘ mini’ AutoNav hut was designed and delivered on site to cater to the client’ s specific needs. The mini hut is not typically used at most sites, as it is approximately half the size of a standard AutoNav Centre. This introduced space constraints for the hardware; however, Vertex needed a mini hut to accommodate their mine structure and small portal.
“ Due to the demand, I have been receiving from other sites for smaller hut offerings, I thought it would be a good opportunity to design a layout for one, from the ground up,” said Perrott.“ The client was extremely happy with the layout and quality of the finished product, and mentioned we should be making more of them, particularly with the previously less profitable small mines coming back to life with the current gold price.”
https:// aramine. com /; https:// rct-global. com /
8 International Mining | MARCH 2026