Today's Mining Pulse
Updated 3h ago
Australian court orders Gina Rinehart to pay $200M in royalties
Australia’s Supreme Court ordered mining magnate Gina Rinehart to pay roughly US$200 million in royalties to the heirs of Peter Wright. The ruling lets Hancock Prospecting keep its Hope Downs and East Angelas iron‑ore tenements, and the payout represents a modest dent in Rinehart’s estimated US$25 billion fortune.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Virtus acquires DRC miner Chemaf for $30M
Global Free Float Of Silver Remains Tight While Chinese Silver Premium Remains Above 12%
The latest free‑float data shows global silver available to market has climbed to 190.8 million ounces, up from 157 million ounces a month earlier. London’s free‑float rose after exchange‑traded‑fund holdings fell by 14 million ounces, while New York’s COMEX registered vault stock remains a core supply gauge. In Shanghai, the silver premium stays above 12%, roughly $9.50 per ounce, far exceeding the $2 logistical cost to move metal from Western markets. The price gap suggests continued inflows of Western silver into China to satisfy local demand.
Oil Price Surge Pushes Manganese Mining Costs Up 8%
Manganese producers in South Africa and Gabon are seeing cash costs climb as much as 8.2% after global oil prices spiked following the recent Middle East war. The cost pressure threatens profitability for high‑cost operations and could reshape the metal’s...
China's Futures Market Surges 40% in Volume, 58% in Turnover in Q1 2026
China's futures market posted a 40.6% year‑on‑year rise in trading volume and a 58.4% surge in turnover in the first quarter of 2026, according to the China Futures Association. The growth was driven by energy, chemicals, metals and a booming...
Metlen Energy & Metals Posts Record €7 Bn Revenue, Flags MPP Division Headwinds in Q4 2025 Call
Metlen Energy & Metals PLC announced a 25% rise in 2025 revenue, topping €7 bn (≈$7.6 bn) during its Q4 earnings call on April 9, 2026. The company warned that EBITDA and earnings per share remain under pressure due to challenges in...
How Iran’s Dark Fleet Is Quietly Keeping Oil Markets Afloat
Iran’s “dark fleet” of opaque tankers is quietly sustaining oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz despite a visible collapse of more than 90% in regulated traffic. By using shell‑company ownership, AIS deactivation and ship‑to‑ship transfers, Iran moves roughly 1.5‑1.7 million...
Oxygen Made From Moon Dust For First Time
Blue Origin announced its Air Pioneer reactor can generate breathable oxygen from lunar regolith by applying an electric current, marking the first successful in‑situ oxygen extraction on the Moon. The compact system also liberates iron, aluminium and silicon, and would...
Zambia to Establish New Gold Marketing Centres to Formalise Mineral Trade and Boost Transparency
Zambia’s Ministry of Mines announced that four new gold marketing centres will be built in Lusangazi, Chisamba, Mpika and a second facility in Mumbwa by the end of 2026. The centres will provide regulated outlets for artisanal and small‑scale miners...
Deep‑Sea Survey Finds 788 New Species, Casting Doubt on Seabed Mining Viability
An international research team surveying the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone reported 788 previously unknown species and a 37% decline in animal numbers where test mining took place. The findings, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, intensify the debate over the environmental cost...
Rare‑Earth Funding Surge Raises Specter of 2030s Glut
Governments and private investors are committing billions of dollars to rare‑earth mining and processing projects outside China, aiming to secure supply chains for defense and clean‑tech. Analysts warn that the rapid build‑out, especially in U.S. magnet capacity, could outpace demand...
World Bank Warns Middle East War Could Shave 1% Off Global Growth, Hit Emerging Markets
World Bank President Ajay Banga warned that the Iran‑Israel war could cut global GDP growth by as much as one percentage point and lift inflation in emerging economies to as high as 6.7%. The bank’s latest forecasts now see growth...
Silver Surges Over 5% to $76.70 on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire, Reviving Industrial Demand
Silver jumped more than 5% to $76.70 per ounce on April 8, its highest level since March 18, after the United States and Iran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire. The truce eased energy‑driven inflation worries, softened rate‑rise expectations and highlighted...
Somalia Eyes Oil Boon but Queries Rise on Ankara’s ‘Unfair’ Deal
Somalia is preparing for its first offshore oil drilling as Turkey’s drilling vessel Çağrı Bey arrives in Mogadishu. The 2023 production‑sharing agreement grants Turkey up to 90% cost recovery and a modest 5% royalty to Somalia, sparking accusations that the deal...
Buy Critical Minerals Now Before Treaty-Driven Surge
Critical minerals including #silver will be the next major investment narrative. Now is the time to load up on metals and producers - before the announcement of the impending bilateral treaties, not after.
Global Energy Shortages Drive Renewed Reliance on Coal
Disruptions to oil and gas flows, especially the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, are prompting Asian and European nations to revive coal as a quick‑fix energy source. Global coal consumption has risen by roughly 1.3 billion tons since 2020, driven...
Metal Shock: Gulf's Largest Aluminum Producer Declares Force Majeure
Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA), the Gulf’s largest aluminium producer, has declared force majeure on portions of its contract book after Iranian missile and drone strikes damaged its Al Taweelah smelter, forcing a shutdown. The outage removes roughly 4% of global aluminium...
CleanSpark's Texas Land Deal Boosts Houston Real Estate Amid AI Push
CleanSpark Inc. saw its shares jump over 5% after reporting record Bitcoin output and confirming a February-closed land acquisition near Houston for a hyperscale data‑center. The 447‑acre site, part of a broader 1.8 GW power portfolio, signals a new wave of...
Capstone Ends Strike, Boosts Output Amid Tight 2026 Copper Market
Capstone ended the Mantoverde strike and began ramping output as copper markets stay tight in 2026. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/capstone-mantoverde-strike-ends-as.html
IMFA to Become India's Top Ferro‑chrome Producer
IMFA plans to raise ferro-chrome capacity to 534,000 t/yr, making it India’s largest producer. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/imfa-ferro-chrome-expansion-will.html
New Scheme in Works to Support Domestic Critical Mineral Processing Plants: Mines Secretary
India's Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal announced a new scheme to fund domestic critical mineral processing plants, initially targeting two minerals. The program will sit alongside existing specialty‑steel and battery‑manufacturing incentives. A public‑sector consortium will also submit bids for four Chilean...
Platinum Under Pressure as Middle East Tensions Trigger ETF Outflows and Market Volatility
Platinum’s safe‑haven appeal is waning as Middle East geopolitical tensions and rising U.S. interest‑rate expectations trigger sizable outflows from platinum‑backed ETFs. The World Platinum Investment Council reports March ETF withdrawals of 224,000 ounces, while the region accounts for roughly 200,000...
The Hedge Fund That Stays Ahead of the Street (Matt Zabloski)
In this episode, host Travis Ricciardo interviews Matt Zablowski, founder of the Vancouver‑based natural resources hedge fund Delbrook, about the structural shift in global commodities and the under‑investment in resource exploration. Zablowski explains Delbrook’s high‑conviction, concentrated strategy—half of assets in...
MBMA Hits 2025 Nickel Ore Target, Boosting Indonesia's Downstream Chain
MBMA met its 2025 nickel ore target as stronger mining output supported Indonesia’s expanding downstream nickel chain. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/merdeka-nickel-ore-production-hits.html
Fortescue Fast‑Tracks $100 M‑Saving Pilbara Green Grid to Cut Diesel by 2027
Fortescue Metals Group announced it will accelerate construction of a 1.2‑GW solar, 600‑MW wind and 5‑GWh battery “green grid” in Western Australia’s Pilbara, targeting 24‑hour fossil‑free power by end‑2027 and $100 million in annual cost savings. The move pits the miner...
Anglo Cuts 2026 Copper Outlook Amid Lower Collahuasi Grades
Anglo cut 2026 copper guidance as lower ore grades at Collahuasi weaken Chilean production expectations. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/anglo-2026-copper-guidance-falls-as.html
They Predicted It, Now Cashing in on US Oil
On the contrary, that’s precisely what they anticipated. They are making a killing selling US oil and gas at the moment.
As De Beers Bid Deadline Looms, Botswana Pushes for Control
Botswana, which currently owns 15% of diamond giant De Beers, is moving to increase its stake to a controlling majority as the company’s bid deadline approaches. The government aims to acquire more than 50% of the firm, a deal that would...
Scarcity Cycles to Glut: Tight Oil Market Warning
After every period of scarcity comes a glut. Every.Single.Time... Remember that when watching a tight oil market currently
VLCC Joins Three Tankers in Iran‑marked Hormuz Lanes
On top of the 3 oil supertankers that exited the Strait of Hormuz today, another VLCC is crossing it (half-way right now) into the Persian Gulf (in ballast, heading toward Iraq to pick up a cargo for Vietnam). All the...
Natural Hydrogen Is Real, Commercialization Is Not
Natural hydrogen is scientifically confirmed, but the sector has yet to prove commercial‑scale reserves. While geologists identify generation mechanisms such as serpentinization and radiolysis, accumulation faces leakage, microbial loss, and sealing challenges. Current projects—Mali’s Bourakébougou field, Spain’s Helios Aragón, Australia’s...
Easter Week Triggers Broad Energy Price Collapse
Third Gulf War — energy impact: (week-on-week; Apr 2 to Apr 9 due to Easter) Dated Brent oil: ⬇️ -10.9% (physical,no futures) WTI crude oil: ⬇️ -13.4% TTF EU nat gas: ...
Florida Canyon Mine's Life Extends Far Beyond Expectations
@IntegraResource's Florida Canyon Mine will have a far longer mine life than people would expect. CEO @GeorgeSalamis spoke to Mining Stock Daily this week. https://t.co/S9UIFtIp9f $ITR https://t.co/uEaPdW8dj2
ExxonMobil, Empire Petroleum Sued for $194 Million Alleged Well‑liability Fraud in New Mexico
A New Mexico district court case accuses ExxonMobil subsidiary XTO Energy and Empire Petroleum of undervaluing $194 million in well‑cleanup liabilities tied to a 2021 sale of hundreds of old wells. Plaintiffs say the alleged fraud could saddle the state with nearly...
Vizsla Copper Forecasts Surge in Metal Prices, Funds Alaska Exploration
"We're gonna see extraordinarily high metal prices at the back end of this year," says Craig Parry at @VizslaCopper. The company announced a US$13.7 million exploration budget for the Palmer Cu-Zn-Ag exploration project in Alaska. $VCU https://t.co/0dFcGdVzOy
Copper Remains as Cheap versus S&P 500 as 2001
Copper $COPPER vs US Markets $SPY. Monthly. Incredibly, Copper is still as cheap relative to the S&P 500 as it was back in 2001! https://t.co/XLECEmoZAS
‘That’ll Be the End’: Actor Sam Neill Joins Fight to Stop Controversial Goldmine Near His New Zealand Vineyard
Actor‑winemaker Sam Neill is leading a campaign against Santana Minerals' proposed Bendigo‑Ophir open‑cast gold mine in Central Otago, a region famed for its pinot noir and tourism. The company has applied for fast‑track consent to extract an estimated $6.75 bn NZD...
Trump’s Oil Exports Could Spike U.S. Gas Prices
I wonder what Trump will do when he realizes that selling U.S. oil overseas raises gas prices here. I assume no one will ever tell him.
Steady Lithium Price Rise Preferred Despite Deficit
Mr @Sw197843: Yes, the deficit is here but don’t expect an explosion too soon. A slow & steady price rise is the best thing for #lithium. https://t.co/4cJkLGIYRb
THE CASH FLOW GUSHER: How $3,000+ Gold Margins and ~$60 Silver Margins Are Forcing Institutional Capital Into the Miners as...
Gold miners are now earning roughly $3,000 of profit per ounce above all‑in sustaining costs, while silver producers enjoy about $60 of excess margin per ounce. These generational cash‑flow surpluses are reshaping valuation models and allowing mining equities to climb...
Oil Bulls Overlook Looming Recession Risk
Clearly, the oil bulls are ignoring the elephant in the room: the “R” word. https://t.co/VbwK4xjBeZ
US Industry Relies on Natural Gas, Now 20% Cheaper
For the most part, the US industrial segment runs on natural gas, not oil. And US natural gas prices have dropped by 20% since March 1st.
New Woe Besets BC’s Two Biggest Gold Projects
Seabridge Gold’s KSM project, a $6.4 billion (≈$6.5 bn USD) capex venture and the world’s largest undeveloped gold resource, has hit a new roadblock as British Columbia will not issue the remaining tunnel permits until its court dispute with neighbour Tudor Gold is...
Global Oil Trade Hits Record Amid Saudi Disruptions
🇺🇸US crude oil exports to increase to highest on record 🇮🇳India's Imports from Russia are Near Record High 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia's damaged oil facilities: What is the impact? Daily Energy Report https://t.co/pyGKWXbmpg
US and French Rare Earth Companies Partner in Bid to Catch up with China
USA Rare Earth is taking a 12.5% stake in France’s Carester to accelerate rare‑earth separation capabilities in both the United States and Europe. Carester will use its expertise to scale a Colorado‑based process and to fund a commercial‑scale plant in...
Study Reveals Why Kermadec Island Arc Holds Exceptional Gold Levels
An international team of scientists has identified high‑temperature hydrous melting and repeated mantle remelting as the drivers of unusually high gold concentrations in the Kermadec Island Arc. Analyzing 66 seafloor glass samples, the study quantifies gold at six nanograms per...
India’s Nuclear Bet Is Starting To Pay Off
India’s 500‑megawatt fast‑breeder reactor in Tamil Nadu reached criticality this month, becoming self‑sustaining and only the world’s second commercial breeder plant. The milestone advances India’s ambition to expand nuclear capacity from roughly 9 GW today to 100 GW by 2047, bolstering its clean‑energy...
Strait of Hormuz Constraints Keep Oil Prices Elevated
Oil prices hover near $100 per barrel despite the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire, because the Strait of Hormuz remains tightly controlled by Iran’s IRGC. Traffic through the chokepoint is limited to managed routes, preventing a return to normal commercial shipping. Analysts from...
Platinum Surges 7%—Could Breach $2,300, Eye $3k
Platinum $PLAT. Monthly. +7.2%. Inflation returns ... and it begs the question: 'Will Platinum take out $2,300/oz resistance and head back higher toward $3K?" https://t.co/Oi2arghgMa
China Stops Sulfur Exports, Contradicts Global Good Claims
china halting sulfur exports? but i was told they would willingly provide global public goods 😂😂 https://t.co/h4gJRvtg3m
Mammoet Delivers for BHP Jansen in Headframe Expansion Project
Heavy‑lift specialist Mammoet helped Ledcor upgrade BHP’s Jansen potash mine headframe in Saskatchewan, replacing a 796‑ton unit with a 2,090‑ton structure to support the mine’s planned 8.5 Mt/year output. The project used modular construction, with components built in Edmonton and shipped...
Imagining Iran Without Sanctions
The post argues that decades of foreign interference—first by Britain and the Soviet Union, then by the United States and Israel—have kept Iran under a sanctions‑driven siege despite its vast oil wealth. It highlights that 90% of Iran’s crude exits...
