Today's Mining Pulse
Indonesia grants export monopoly to state trader DSI, targeting $66bn in resource revenues
Indonesia’s employers association and major mining cartels have endorsed President Prabowo Subianto’s new export monopoly, giving exclusive rights to state‑controlled PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia. The policy seeks to capture roughly $66.13 billion in annual resource revenues—about 23.4% of exports—and to curb $908 billion in historic tax leakage.
Also developing:
High Court Suspends EMA Stop Order on Arcturus Mine
The Harare High Court temporarily halted the Environmental Management Agency’s stop order against TN Gold’s Arcturus Mine, granting interim relief while the regulator’s appeal proceeds. Justice Maxwell Takuva ruled that shutting down the Ceylone Open Pit could cause water buildup and destabilise pit walls, risking a collapse. The mine, which produces about 70% of its gold from this pit, holds a valid Environmental Impact Assessment licence through July 2026. The court emphasized that existing law lacks a mechanism to suspend enforcement orders during appeals, justifying urgent judicial intervention.
E3 Lithium Provides Activity Update on Phase Two of Its Demonstration Facility and Details Employee Incentives for 2026
E3 Lithium announced that its Phase 2 Demonstration Facility near Olds, Alberta, completed drilling two wells – one for brine production and one for injection – and is on track to begin operations in April 2026. The data collected will feed the...
Smackover Lithium Signs First Binding Customer Offtake Agreement for the South West Arkansas Project
Smackover Lithium, the Standard Lithium‑Equinor joint venture, announced its first binding off‑take agreement with commodities trader Trafigura for the Southwest Arkansas lithium project. The deal commits to deliver 8,000 metric tonnes of battery‑grade lithium carbonate per year for ten years,...
How the ‘Galápagos of West Africa’ Is Plundered by Floating Fish Factories
Guinea‑Bissau’s Bijagós archipelago, dubbed the “Galápagos of West Africa,” is being ravaged by illegal floating fish‑meal factories such as the Chinese‑owned Hua Xin 17 and Tian Yi He 6. These vessels process massive volumes of sardinella caught by Turkish purse seiners that routinely disable AIS...
Australia’s Iron Ore Machine Faces a Structural Test
Australia’s iron‑ore sector produced 967.8 million tonnes in 2025, a 1.4% YoY rise, maintaining a 36.8% share of global output. Prices softened to an average $100.2 per dry metric tonne, down 8.4% as Chinese steel demand cooled and supply grew. While...
France Eyes Greenland’s Trillion-Euro Minerals
France and Greenland have signed a technical cooperation agreement to map the island’s strategic mineral deposits, focusing on lithium, uranium and rare earth elements. The French public geological institute BRGM will use satellite technology to chart ice‑free coastal zones and...
G7 Ministers Call Emergency Meeting, Consider Oil Reserve Release
G7 finance ministers to hold emergency conference call at 12.30pm London time to discuss the impact of the US- -Iran war, Paris said in a statement. According to the Financial Times, several G7 nations favour a release of their Strategic Petroleum...
OreNova Out to Accelerate Plant Engineering with AI Tools
OreNova Engineering of Perth is deploying proprietary AI tools to automate the mechanical design phase of mineral processing plants, turning weeks‑long engineering tasks into hours. The software generates material selections, datasheets and equipment lists with about 95% accuracy, saving up...
Recovered Paper Prices Show Signs of Rebound
Fastmarkets reported early‑March price increases of $1‑$5 per ton for old corrugated containers (OCC) across parts of the United States, marking a reversal of the 2025 downward trend. The rebound, driven by seasonal generation slowdowns and winter‑related transportation challenges, prompted...
Gateway Maps 15km Corridor Next to Proven WA Gold Deposit
Gateway Mining announced a 15‑kilometre high‑resolution magnetic corridor across its Glenburgh South project in WA’s Gascoyne region. The corridor mirrors the structural setting of Benz Mining’s 500,000‑ounce Glenburgh gold deposit and is underpinned by kaolinite‑rich alteration identified by hyperspectral analysis....
Open Forum, Week of March 9
Rare earth shortages, especially yttrium and scandium, are tightening for U.S. aerospace and semiconductor manufacturers as Chinese export controls drive prices up to 69 times higher. China still dominates the global rare‑earth value chain, controlling roughly 70% of mining, over...
Germany Seeks to Emulate Japan in Shoring up Critical Minerals
Germany announced a new initiative to secure critical minerals, mirroring Japan’s long‑standing strategy of supply‑chain resilience. The plan includes a €3 billion fund for domestic mining, recycling and strategic stockpiles, aiming for at least 10% of key raw materials sourced locally...
Star Minerals Secures Final Green Light for Tumblegum South Gold Project Mining Start
Star Minerals received its final native vegetation clearing permit from the WA Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, completing the suite of approvals needed to start mining at the Tumblegum South gold project. The company has already finished grade‑control drilling,...
White Cliff Minerals to Drill Extensions of High-Grade Copper Mineralisation at Danvers
White Cliff Minerals (ASX:WCN) is launching an 8‑kilometre drill campaign at its Danvers copper prospect in Nunavut to delineate extensions of high‑grade, surface‑accessible mineralisation. The program will employ both reverse‑circulation and diamond rigs, building on prior intercepts such as 90 m...
DEScycle, Mitsubishi Corp. Form Strategic Partnership
DEScycle, a London‑based metals‑processing developer, has sealed a strategic partnership with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp., building on Mitsubishi’s 2025 investment. The two firms will act as preferred partners in Japan to commercialize DEScycle’s ionometallurgy platform for recovering critical metals from e‑scrap....
TMK Smashes Out New Mongolian Gas Record
TMK Energy reported a new daily gas production record at its Pilot Well in Mongolia, delivering over 900 cubic metres (31,800 scfd) primarily from the LF‑07 well. The output represents a 400% increase since August and a 50% uplift from...
Old Heaps, New Gold: Pacgold Readies SA White Dam Re-Crush
Pacgold is gearing up to re‑crush the top lift of the White Dam heap‑leach pad in South Australia, deploying a Metso ST 4.1 screen and an HP300 cone crusher. The new circuit is designed for roughly 350 tonnes per hour, aiming to...
Oil Prices Soar as Iran Conflict Threatens Middle East Supply
Oil markets spiked dramatically as Brent crude briefly touched $119.50 per barrel, driven by heightened geopolitical risk from the Iran‑related conflict in the Middle East. Prices later eased to $107.20 for Brent and $103.18 for WTI after reports that G7...
Why China’s Critical Mineral Dominance Is Still Disrupting US Supply Chains
American companies continue to wrestle with critical mineral shortages even after China temporarily lifted its export ban on gallium, germanium and antimony. China still controls the bulk of heavy rare earths and other essential raw materials, creating bottlenecks for U.S....
Strait Closures Trigger Sulfur Shortages, Slowing Nickel and Copper Output
The longer the Straits are closed, the more we will see unexpected chokepoints emerge. Case in point: nickel refiners in Indonesia and copper miners in Africa might have to slow production for want of sulphur
Redcastle Grade Control Drilling Delivers up to 397g/T Gold
Redcastle Resources completed a comprehensive grade‑control program at its Redcastle Reef deposit, delivering exceptionally high‑grade intersections, including a 1‑metre interval of 397 g/t gold. The campaign comprised 327 reverse‑circulation holes over 13,539 m, with 23 holes returning grades above 20 g/t, demonstrating widespread...
How Exposed Is the Australian Sheepmeat Trade to the Conflict in Iran?
Australian sheepmeat exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) represent about $4.3 billion, or 23 % of total export value. Tasmania is the most exposed state, sending roughly 70 % of its sheepmeat to the region, while Victoria and Western Australia...
High Input Costs Don’t Guarantee High Grain Prices
A review of CBOT wheat futures from 1990‑2022 shows that the price at seeding is a weak guide to harvest price, with an average swing of $42 per tonne in either direction. Harvest prices exceeded seeding prices in 20 of...
WTI Could Hit $115 If Gas Gains Replicate
If the front-month WTI crude oil future matches natural gas’s 100% gain in 2026 to its January peak, it would reach about $115 a barrel -- then what by the midterms? Gas has reversed all of those gains. Spiking crude can be...
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STABILITY PAYS: Eastern Platinum Belt Peace Boosts Mining Output, Investment Confidence
Peace has returned to South Africa’s eastern platinum belt, ending three years of production losses at Northam’s Booysendal mine. From 2023 to 2025 the mine recorded zero output interruptions despite a lingering security incident count. A three‑pronged strategy—enhanced policing, joint...
Esperance Shapes up as Major Rare Earths Hub with Broad Mineral Potential
Western Australia’s Esperance region is emerging as a global rare earths hub, with junior explorers uncovering extensive clay‑hosted REE deposits akin to those that have powered China’s dominance. West Cobar Metals’ Salazar project alone hosts 230 Mt of mineralised clay containing...
US Defends Waiver On Russian Oil Sanctions
U.S. officials defended a 30‑day waiver allowing Indian refineries to purchase Russian oil, aiming to ease market pressure as gasoline prices surged amid the Iran conflict. The waiver, announced by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and UN Ambassador Mike Waltz, seeks...
MMG Eyes New Copper Projects in DRC as Global Expansion Strategy Accelerates
MMG Limited is actively scouting advanced copper projects in Africa, with a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, to broaden its portfolio amid soaring demand for energy‑transition metals. The miner’s 2025 results showed net profit soaring to $509 million, a...
Energy Chief Says Oil Plentiful; Market Fear Persists
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “… The oil is there […] You’re seeing a little bit of fear premium in the marketplace. But the world is not short of oil today or natural gas…” (Not sure this verbal massaging is...
Crude Oil Spill Draws Large Response at Nation’s Only Deepwater VLCC Port
A mechanical failure at the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) on February 26 released roughly 31,500 gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. Federal and state responders have recovered about 27,888 gallons and deployed 464 personnel, 60 vessels, and...
Gulf Nations Cut Output to Avoid Irreversible Shutdown
On the oil production shut in: By curbing oil output early, Persian Gulf nations are trying to lengthen the time before they reach full storage. Their plan is to try to keep output low but running — avoiding full shutdowns. The former...
Intrepid Potash Moves Utah Brine to Battery-Grade Lithium
Intrepid Potash advances a Utah lithium project to make battery-grade lithium carbonate from brine byproduct. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/intrepid-potash-utah-lithium-project.html
Congolese Geology Team Wins Global Recognition at PDAC 2026
A team of young Congolese geologists from the University of Kinshasa, known as Bana Kongo, earned the Impact and Exploration Award at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 Next Generation Explorers competition. Competing against roughly 40 international...
Capstone Strike Slashes Chile Mine Output to 30%
Capstone Mantoverde strike cuts Chile mine output to 30% as Union #2 walks out after failed bargaining. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/capstone-mantoverde-strike-cuts-chile.html
Runhe Targets 100k‑ton Rare‑Earth Catalyst Plant in Sichuan
China rare earth catalyst project advances as Runhe plans a 100,000 t/yr rare earth catalyst plant in Sichuan. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/china-rare-earth-catalyst-project-runhe.html
Zambia Ranks Third Most Attractive Mining Investment Destination in Africa
Zambia has risen to become the third‑most attractive mining investment destination in Africa, trailing only Botswana and Morocco, according to the Fraser Institute’s 2025 Annual Survey. Globally, the country improved to 25th place on the Investment Attractiveness Index, up from...
Trump Says $100 Oil Is Temporary, Will Fall Post‑Iran Threat
Trump on oil prices above $100 a barrel: “Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a small price to pay.” https://t.co/jdsCvB0BtP
Brent Surpasses $110 Amid Hormuz Turmoil – Outlook?
Join us today in an X Space for X Subscribers: 🚨Hormuz Chaos: Brent Blasts Past $110 — What's Next for Oil?🚨 Today, Sunday, March 8, 9:00 PM US EST, 8:00 PM US CST No link now. Will open the Space on time.
ZIMEC 2026 to Examine Zambia’s Mining and Energy Transition at a Pivotal Moment for Investment and Reform
The 13th Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC 2026) will convene March 25‑26 in Kitwe, bringing together government officials, financiers, and global mining experts to chart Zambia’s mining and energy transition. With mining accounting for roughly 70% of export...
Middle East Conflict Sends Oil, Gas, Stocks Tumbling
How the US-Israel-Iran War Impacts Oil, Gas, and US Stocks | Anas Alhajj... https://t.co/ZnJKFSYWCr via @YouTube
Iran Keeps Shipping Oil to China Amid Conflict
PHOTO OF THE DAY: China is still getting (some of) its oil. Nine days into the war, Iran continues loading oil supertankers from Kharg Island. Tehran has sent some of them across the Strait of Hormuz into the high seas wihthout any...
Canada Must Unleash the Ring of Fire – by Conrad Black (National Post – March 7, 2026)
The Prospector’s and Developers Association of Canada’s annual PDAC conference underscored the Ring of Fire’s strategic value, spotlighting its massive chromium deposit that could satisfy global demand for a century. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is aggressively promoting the northern Ontario region...
Commodities and Critical Materials Lead 2026 Investment Trends
Where are you planning to invest next in 2026? Commodities & critical materials are heating up—gold/silver shining, rare earths & lithium key for energy/AI transition. What's your pick?
Renewable Forecasts: From 2014 Beginnings to Latest Projections
One of the earliest releases of my Future Smart model projections in 2014 @FSS_Au And one of my latest graphs https://t.co/FcpbPdGunS https://t.co/ABN18ynI9h
Second Bulk Carrier Claiming To Be Chinese Passes Through Hormuz
A second bulk carrier, the Liberia‑flagged Sino Ocean, announced Chinese ownership while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, joining Iron Maiden that did the same earlier this week. Both vessels used destination signals like “CHINA OWNER” to seek safe passage amid...
Turning Mine Waste Into Domestic Pig Iron
"Iron is really like oil," says @N_A_Iron Jim Bougalis. The company is advancing an iron ore reclamation project with plans to convert the mine waste into pig iron for the U.S. domestic steel market. Mining Stock Daily talked to Jim at...
Alberta’s Oil Outpaces Norway’s Fleeting Resource Boom
Cosh, on the Globe Ed Board Norwailing is excellent. I would add to his AB context that Norway too was expecting a very short-lived resource and their production has, indeed, declined from peak. AB is still hitting record production month...
NGM’s Real Challenge Might Not Be Newmont
Nevada Gold Mines (NGM), the joint venture of Barrick and Newmont, is embroiled in a corporate dispute after Newmont issued a notice of default over alleged resource diversion to Barrick’s Fourmile project. While both companies assure operational continuity, the broader...
XCMG Signs MoU with Chile’s Copper Mining Giant Codelco
On March 3, Chinese equipment maker XCMG signed a memorandum of understanding with Chile’s state‑run copper miner Codelco, aiming to supply electrified, intelligent mining machinery. The agreement follows a February factory visit by Codelco’s chairman and builds on XCMG’s existing contracts...
Haul Road Remains Clear Post-Cyclone, No Issues Reported
$MIN Have not heard any issues with the haul road after the recent cyclone. https://t.co/EHEdAQTAzS