This Week's Top Five Stories in Mining

Why Has Bauxite Miner Alcoa Been Handed a US$39m Fine?

Australia's Environment Minister Murray Watt has handed a US$39m penalty to the US mining giant Alcoa for unlawful land clearing for bauxite mining in Western Australia’s Northern Jarrah Forest, south of Perth.

The penalty addresses clearing that occurred between 2019 and 2025 in known habitats for nationally protected species without approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Despite the fine, Alcoa has been granted a national interest exemption allowing it to continue clearing for 18 months while the government considers a strategic assessment for the expansion of its Huntly and Willowdale operations until 2045.

In Detail: India and Brazil's Landmark Mining Agreement

India has moved to deepen trade ties with Brazil, signing a pact to expand cooperation in mining and minerals as it seeks to meet rising domestic steel demand and support capacity expansion amid a global race for raw materials.

The agreement was signed in the presence of India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was in New Delhi for a three-day visit.

Brazil is among the world's top producers of iron ore and holds large reserves of minerals critical to steelmaking. This cooperation is expected to improve access to raw materials.

Caterpillar & RPMGlobal: The Future of Mining Tech

Caterpillar has finalised its acquisition of RPMGlobal Holdings, the Brisbane-headquartered mining software company.

The transaction, which was first announced in October 2025 and completed in February 2026, could represent a notable expansion of Caterpillar's technology capabilities and reflects wider changes in how the global mining sector approaches operations.

RPMGlobal offers software solutions across the mining value chain, supporting customers in planning, operating and managing their sites. The company will maintain its brand identity and continue delivering its existing products and services under the RPMGlobal name.

"Acquiring RPMGlobal is a notable milestone supporting our strategy to solve the challenges our mining customers face every day," says Denise Johnson, Group President of Caterpillar Resource Industries.

Anglo American's Innovation to Tackle Nature-Based Risks

Anglo American is expanding its nature-positive strategy to tackle environmental risks across its entire value chain.

By using a mix of high-tech monitoring and strategic partnerships, the mining company is moving from simple risk management to active stewardship of the ecosystems it touches.

The leading global mining company, which is focused on the responsible production of copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients, recognises that nature-related risks and impacts exist both upstream and downstream in the value chain.

How Botswana Critical Minerals Detection Impacts Diversity

Rare earth elements and other critical minerals have become key commodities, due to the increase in electric vehicles, smart phones and renewable energy.

Despite this, the availability of critical minerals has been a main area of concern for supply chains around the world due to their limited resources.

However, Tsodilo Resources Limited has detected these materials within its operations.