Just north of Australia, the island split into Papua and Papua New Guinea is famously underexplored but, over the years, inroads have been made and tantalising glimmers of hidden mineral wealth were quickly followed by some of the world’s biggest miners. We look at the relationship between Australian miners and their northern neighbour.

We also map a significant lithium find in north Queensland and a copper-gold discovery by Stavely Mining in Victoria, along with other new finds across Australia. Elsewhere, we find out how a new 3D laser scanner could help improve safety and efficiency at mines in Australia and elsewhere.

Finally, we investigate the rehabilitation of the Ranger uranium mine, learn about the management of law and order on mining sites, and speak to Mining Legends about their work with mining communities.

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Callum Tyndall, editor