AIC Mines has successfully established underground connectivity between its Eloise copper mine and the nearby Jericho copper deposit in Queensland, Australia. An access drive intersected the Jericho copper mineralization, confirming an underground link between the two sites. This breakthrough, achieved via the Eloise decline, eliminates the need for a standalone shaft at Jericho and enables early development using the existing Eloise infrastructure.
This achievement positions AIC Mines to accelerate its development timeline for the Jericho project. By leveraging Eloise’s established systems—ventilation, electrical, and dewatering—AIC Mines can streamline early-stage development activities. This integrated approach is expected to enable coordinated ground control strategies, consolidated service delivery, and phased production expansion across the combined Eloise–Jericho mining system. The confirmation of underground connectivity was reported on February 9, 2026 AIC Mines intersects Jericho mineralisation.
For mine planners and geotechnical specialists, this underground link offers a clear strategic advantage. The breakthrough via the Eloise decline directly addresses the capital cost of a standalone Jericho shaft. Instead, AIC Mines can now initiate early development using existing Eloise infrastructure, compressing the typical timeline from discovery to production. This approach reflects a broader industry trend of utilizing existing decline systems to access satellite deposits, a strategy that reduces initial capital requirements and can make smaller orebodies economically viable, particularly in favorable commodity price environments.
Queensland’s mining sector has demonstrated that copper projects progress from underground development to production decisions more rapidly than greenfield operations in other regions, such as Western Australia. This regional characteristic, combined with AIC Mines’ ability to utilize established infrastructure, provides a distinct competitive advantage. The company’s progress at Jericho is considered a value-defining development within its project portfolio, underscoring the importance of this underground connectivity achievement for economic viability and operational feasibility.
The mining industry continues to evolve as companies pursue various strategies to enhance efficiency and project economics. In British Columbia, Osisko Development’s Cariboo underground gold project is moving into its execution phase. JDS Energy & Mining has been engaged for project and construction management services following the completion of a feasibility study in April 2025. JDS will oversee detailed engineering, procurement, and construction management for processing facilities, underground infrastructure, and surface installations, marking a transition to an engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) basis for the project. This development reflects the industry’s focus on structured project execution once feasibility is established.
Technological advancements are also shaping the mining landscape. TOMRA Mining is implementing sensor-based ore sorting systems that can transform mine waste rock and tailings into saleable aggregate for infrastructure projects. By employing technologies such as X-ray transmission (XRT), operations can effectively separate barren material from mineralized content on conveyor systems. This process upgrades the quality of run-of-mine feed while reducing energy and water consumption in downstream processing. It also creates secondary revenue streams by supplying clean material for construction markets while decreasing waste dump volumes and mitigating long-term environmental rehabilitation obligations.
Equipment and maintenance innovations are contributing to operational improvements. Sandvik has expanded its drilling equipment offerings with the RG550Be drill bit resharpening machine. This mid-range unit complements existing high-end and handheld resharpening units, providing comprehensive coverage for both top hammer and down-the-hole drilling applications. The new machine improves safety and ergonomics by transitioning grinding work from manual benches to enclosed, purpose-built machinery. For mine operators, this expanded range allows for more precise alignment of resharpening capacity with fleet requirements, potentially enhancing bit longevity and drilling performance metrics.
Sources
- https://www.geomechanics.io/news/article/aic-intersects-jericho-mineralisation-design-and-scheduling-notes-for-mine-planners
