Today's Mining Pulse
U.S. pledges $500M to launch domestic rare‑earth processing plant
The U.S. Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital has conditionally pledged $500 million in long‑term debt to Phoenix Tailings to build the Freedom Facility, a large‑scale rare‑earth separation and metallization plant slated for 2028. The plant will process mine concentrates, recycled materials and secondary sources to produce both light and heavy rare‑earth metals.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Baffinland Iron Mines secures $153M loan
Arika Expands Pennyweight Point Gold System Along Strike and at Depth
Arika Resources announced that recent RC drilling at its Pennyweight Point deposit on the Yundamindra project has extended high‑grade gold mineralisation both along strike and to greater depth. Intercepts include 21 m at 4.65 g/t Au, with a peak of 19.39 g/t over 3 m, and the zone now stretches 350 m strike‑wise to 250 m depth. A second drilling rig has been mobilised, and 39 assay results remain pending. The company says the data provide a solid platform for a maiden mineral resource estimate and potential underground mining.
Copper Profits Depend on Long‑term Price Strength
Copper is driving miners' profits But exposure is hard to scale unless prices stay high for years Profits are hard to maintain unless supply growth fails Mega-mergers failed because sellers wanted to be paid for the future scarcity now Usual good insights from @ClydeCommods...
Fortescue’s Electrification Spend Hits $1 Billion-a-Year “Run Rate,” As Diesel Savings Start to Flow
Fortescue Metals Group spent $427 million in the first half of FY2026 on decarbonisation and expects annual outlays of $800 million to $1.2 billion, putting the company on a roughly $1 billion‑a‑year run rate through the decade. The miner is installing solar, wind, battery...
Coronado Turns Page on a 'Challenging Year'
Coronado Global Resources announced the completion of its Mammoth Underground expansion and Buchanan growth project after a challenging 2025 marked by a steep revenue decline and significant net losses. The company aims to leverage the new assets to boost ore...
Riversgold Storms Ahead with Northern Zone Work Ahead of Near-Term Gold Production
Riversgold has completed a 31‑hole shallow drill program across the central and eastern mineralised zones of its Northern Zone gold project in Western Australia. The company expects assay results soon and is advancing the conversion of the tenement to a...
Norwest Minerals Delivers Exquisite High-Grade Gold at Marymia East
Norwest Minerals announced a high‑grade gold intercept at its Marymia East project, reporting 3 metres grading 7.93 g/t Au from 48 m depth, including a 1 metre section of 21.4 g/t. The drill hole, MRC02, was located 50 m west of historic shallow mineralisation and bolsters...
Government Monitors Iron Ore Pricing Shifts Amid China Talks
The Australian government is closely tracking new iron‑ore pricing arrangements being trialled between Chinese buyers and major Australian producers. Companies such as Fortescue and Rio Tinto have begun using Fastmarkets, while BHP negotiates with China Mineral Resources Group over alternative...
Vaca Muerta's Promise Stalls Behind Fiscal and Infrastructure Hurdles
Argentina’s Vaca Muerta looks great on paper, but it’s not the next Permian. Argentina’s fiscal mess, weak infrastructure, & massive capex needs are real barriers. Continental’s hype says as much about a fading Bakken play as it does about Vaca Muerta. https://t.co/SGzycaNHEd #Oil...
High Lithium Prices Won’t Rescue Poor Assets
Higher #lithium prices don’t have the power to make low quality lithium assets good investments. Be careful out there. https://t.co/BDwn05D4Fc
Nimy Resources Kicks Off Block 3 Gallium Scoping Study
Nimy Resources has launched a scoping study for the Block 3 gallium discovery at its Mons project in Western Australia’s Yilgarn Craton. The deposit contains roughly 2,700 tonnes of gallium, positioning it as a potential non‑Chinese supply source for Western markets. Metallurgical...
Uranium Enrichment Capacity, Not Reactors, Limits Supply
Uranium enrichment is running straight into a hard physical bottleneck Enrichment capacity, not reactors, is the constraint The US is still deeply dependent on Russian enrichment https://t.co/UzZh17Lcy5 #NuclearEnergy #Uranium #EnergySecurity #SupplyChains #EnergyTransition #Geopolitics
Rox Advances Youanmi on Multiple Fronts Towards First Gold
Rox Resources is accelerating development at its wholly‑owned Youanmi gold project in Western Australia, completing roughly 750 metres of underground advance and targeting first‑level access by month‑end. Surface and underground infill drilling are underway to boost early ore inventory, while dewatering...
Centuri Holdings Inc (CTRI) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Centrus Energy reported FY 2025 revenue of $448.7 million, a modest 1.5% increase, with gross profit rising 5% to $117.5 million and net income of $77.8 million. Growth was driven by a 21% jump in SWU sales, while uranium revenue...
Essential Utilities Inc (WTRG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Select Water Solutions reported $1.4 billion in consolidated revenue for 2025 and a record adjusted EBITDA of $260 million, exceeding its guidance. The Water Infrastructure segment posted a 54% gross margin in Q4 and is projected to grow 20‑25% year‑over‑year in 2026,...
Ramaco Resources Inc (METC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Warrior Met Coal reported record Q4 and full‑year 2025 production and sales, driven by the early, on‑budget launch of the Blue Creek longwall mine. Revenue rose to $384 million and net income surged to $23 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 75% to...
Record Iron Ore Shipments Fill Fortescue’s Pockets
Fortescue Metals Group delivered a record 100.2 million tonnes of iron ore in the first half of FY 2025, a 3% increase over the prior period, driving revenue to $8.4 billion and EBITDA to $4.486 billion. Mining output rose 2% and processing volumes matched...
Alkane Uncovers Bonanza Antimony-Gold Hits at Kendal
Alkane Resources has identified high‑grade antimony‑gold intersections at the Kendal system, an up‑dip extension of its Youle and Shepherd deposits at Costerfield, Victoria. Infill and extension drilling over the past year revealed multiple bonanza‑style zones, notably the 520 vein which...
Whitecap Says Scale Gained with Veren Takeover Helped Secure Global Gas Contracts
Whitecap Resources leveraged its May acquisition of rival Veren to boost scale, prompting a credit‑rating upgrade, lower borrowing costs and larger reserves. The expanded footprint enabled the company to lock in two 10‑year natural‑gas supply contracts totaling 85,000 MMBtu per day,...
PolarX’s ‘Outstanding’ Gold Hits Prompt Push for More Drilling at Ridgeline
PolarX’s inaugural drill program at the Ridgeline prospect in Nevada delivered high‑grade gold intersections, highlighted by a 9.1‑metre interval grading 6.38 g/t at 89 metres depth. The 13‑hole, 2,027‑metre campaign intersected mineralisation in ten holes, confirming the surface‑to‑depth continuity of steeply dipping...
What Is a Water Quality Certification and Why Does Air Products Need One?
Air Products has moved to secure a Water Quality Certification from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, a prerequisite for its federal permit to build a blue‑hydrogen and carbon‑capture facility. The certification confirms compliance with Clean Water Act sections governing...
Detour Mine Expansion to Accelerate as Agnico Eagle Boosts Spending – by Staff (Northern Ontario Business – February 24, 2026)
Canada’s largest gold producer Agnico Eagle announced an accelerated expansion of its Detour Lake mine and ongoing construction of the Upper Beaver project, aiming to boost output by up to 30% and exceed 4 million ounces by the early 2030s. The...
Chile’s Right-Wing Pivot Puts Mining Policy Under the Microscope – by Cecilia Jamasmie (Mining.com – February 24, 2026)
Chile’s right‑wing government, set to assume power on March 11, is reshaping mining policy. President‑elect José Antonio Kast campaigned on stricter border control and law‑and‑order, reflecting rising concerns over crime and Venezuelan migration. He merged the Mining and Economy ministries and...
China to ‘Expand the Country’s Market Share and Influence on Prices in the International Gold Market’ – Hong Kong Official...
Hong Kong announced a concerted push to become a premier international gold trading hub, aligning with China’s goal to expand its market share and influence on global bullion prices. The city plans to increase gold storage capacity to over 2,000...
Why Canadian Critical Minerals Are More Critical Than Ever – by Christopher Hernandez-Roy (Canadian Politics and Public Policy – February...
Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, unveiled on 17 February 2026, places critical minerals at the core of national security and industrial policy. The government frames domestic mining as essential for defence supply chains, reducing reliance on China’s near‑monopoly over rare earths and...
Denison Mines Gets Green Light for Uranium Project in Northern Saskatchewan – by Nykole King (Regina Leader-Post – February 24,...
Denison Mines Corp. has secured regulatory approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to construct the Wheeler River uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin. The construction licence, effective until February 28, 2031, makes the project the province’s first new uranium mine...
Could Canada and Australia Form a Critical Minerals Supergroup? – by Ian Verrender (Australian Broadcasting Corporation – February 24, 2026)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address the Australian Parliament, signalling a push toward a Canada‑Australia critical minerals partnership. His recent World Economic Forum speech urged medium powers to forge new alliances, a message that provoked a sharp...
Are You Overpaying for a Lab-Grown Diamond? – by Tomi Joseph-Raji, Jeremy McDonald and Asha Tomlinson (CBC News Marketplace –...
Lab‑grown diamonds, touted as a cost‑effective alternative to mined stones, can be up to 90 percent cheaper. A CBC Marketplace investigation bought two one‑carat, D‑color, ideal‑cut, VS1‑clarity diamonds—one from Blue Nile and another from Alibaba—and found a stark price gap despite...
Hycroft Mining Soars on Sprott Share Buy
Canadian billionaire Eric Sprott increased his stake in Hycroft Mining Holding by purchasing 150,000 shares at $42.05, bringing his ownership to roughly 44.5% of the company. The buy‑back sparked a more than 12% rally, pushing the stock to a one‑month...
How the EU Could Unlock 22 Trillion Cubic Feet of Barents Gas
The European Union is reviewing its Arctic policy, and a tighter definition could unlock the Barents Sea’s estimated 22 trillion cubic feet of gas. Norway’s offshore fields could then supply 20‑30% of EU gas demand through 2050, offering a lower‑emission alternative...
EXIM Boosts Mining, Delivering Critical Minerals Nationwide
It was a pleasure and an honor to catch up with the @JJovanovicUSA President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the @EximBankUS of the United States (EXIM). The support EXIM and this administration shows and extends to...
Eagle Energy Metals and Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II Announce Closing of Business Combination
Eagle Energy Metals Corp. completed its business combination with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II, creating Eagle Nuclear Energy Corp. The new company will begin Nasdaq trading on February 25, 2026 under the ticker symbols NUCL and NUCLW. The merger pairs the largest...
Optimism Returns as Lithium Prices and ESS Boom Questioned
Sunny & cold in Florida. How high will #lithium price go this cycle was the # 1 question. How real is the ESS boom was #2. Nice to see some optimism after a couple of lean years. https://t.co/KLtvzNOlxk
Ghana: Tighten Mining Act to Halt Mercury Smuggling
Ghanaian officials and civil‑society groups are urging a revision of the Minerals and Mining Act to curb the rampant smuggling and use of mercury in artisanal and small‑scale gold mining (ASGM). The current legislation lacks a national mercury storage and...
How Rokbak Haulers Maximize Uptime and Cut Lifecycle Costs
Rokbak concentrates exclusively on articulated haulers, positioning itself as a niche expert for mining and quarry operations. Its RA30 and RA40 models achieve high physical availability by integrating robust structures, proven components, and low warranty claim rates. The company extends...
Liberia: Mme Hosts One-Day Pilot Stakeholders' Dialogue On Mineral Rights
The Ministry of Mines and Energy convened a one‑day pilot stakeholders’ dialogue in Arthington on Feb 20 to address gaps between mineral rights, land rights and community obligations. Participants including chiefs, civil‑society groups, GIZ and LEITI examined regulatory, fiscal and environmental...
DRC Govt Condemns Artisanal Mine Collapse in Lualaba, Calls for Urgent Safety Measures
On February 24, a collapse at an artisanal mine on the outskirts of Kolwezi in Lualaba Province killed several Algerian workers, prompting Prime Minister Judith Suminwa to condemn the tragedy and pledge stronger safety oversight. She cited a December 2025 ministerial report...
Lualaba Showcased Cobalt Leadership and Sustainable Vision at Mining Indaba 2026
At Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, Lualaba province positioned itself as the world’s leading cobalt producer, emphasizing its pivotal role in the energy transition. Governor Fifi Masuka Saini highlighted the region’s stable, investment‑friendly governance and alignment with international mining...
Q2Metals Teases Maiden Resource at PDAC
Looking forward to catching up with the Rock Star @Q2Metals team next week at #PDAC and talking about all their greatest hits. 👀 maiden resource coming soon... $QTWO.V
Managing Mining, Oil and Gas for National Development
The Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford, in partnership with the Natural Resource Governance Institute, has launched a five‑day executive programme titled “Managing Mining, Oil and Gas for National Development.” Applications open on 2 March 2026, targeting senior leaders from government, industry,...
DRC Mineral Export Prices Decline, Tin Records Steepest Weekly Drop
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral export prices are set to fall in the week of Feb 23‑28, 2026, with tin posting the steepest decline to $48,089 per ton, a $1,667 drop from the prior week. Copper, gold, and zinc also...
Mining on Small Islands: The Struggle to Protect Sangihe Island and the Role of Canada's Baru Gold
A MiningWatch Canada field report reveals Canadian miner Baru Gold Corp is seeking to develop a gold mine on Indonesia’s Sangihe Island, a biodiversity hotspot. The grassroots Save Sangihe Island (SSI) coalition is mounting legal challenges and community actions to...
Philex 2025 Income Climbs to P929.69M on Record Metal Prices
Philex Mining Corp posted a net income of P929.69 million in 2025, a 14.7% rise year‑over‑year, driven by record‑high gold and copper prices and a favorable peso exchange rate. Revenues climbed 8.2% to P8.85 billion, while core net income surged 43.6% to...
DRC Launches National Airborne Geophysical Mapping Programme to Modernise Mining Sector
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a nationwide airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme, overseen by a newly formed steering committee chaired by Mining Minister Louis Watum Kabamba. Spanish firm Xcalibur Multiphysics Group SL secured the contract to conduct...
Govt Praises Kansanshi for Driving Local Supplier Development in North-Western Province
The Zambian government praised Kansanshi Mining PLC for hosting a Tender and Bid Workshop aimed at strengthening local suppliers and contractors in the North‑Western Province. Deputy Permanent Secretary Luckson Mulumbi highlighted the workshop’s role in advancing local content and reinforcing...
Vizsla Renews Trust Lands Lease at Palmer
Vizsla Copper Corp. has secured a lease extension on Alaska Mental Health Trust lands at its Palmer project through August 2033. The high‑grade volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit hosts 4.77 Mt of indicated resources averaging 1.69% copper, 5.17% zinc, plus notable silver and...
Kibali Breaks Revenue Record as Gold Prices Surge Despite Lower Output
Kibali gold mine posted record revenue of about $2.3 billion in 2025, a 40% jump from 2024, despite a 2% dip in gold output to roughly 673,000 ounces. Barrick’s 45% share generated $1.04 billion, while the mine’s contribution to group earnings rose...
What Does Ai Think of Toll Milling
The blog showcases Claude, Anthropic’s AI, compiling recent mining studies (2024‑2026) that use toll‑milling as a base case, highlighting projects in Canada, Argentina, and Australia. It outlines the operational, commercial, metallurgical, financial, regulatory and strategic risks inherent to toll‑milling arrangements....
U of M Project Aims to Inform Silica Sand Mining Plan
The University of Manitoba has partnered with silica‑sand producer Sio Silica to pilot a quantum gravimetry network that monitors groundwater changes in real time. The initiative follows the company’s revised mining proposal in the Rural Municipality of Springfield after the...
Renault Partners with Basquevolt on Lithium-Metal Cells
Renault's Ampere division has signed a development agreement with Basquevolt to accelerate lithium‑metal battery prototypes for future electric vehicles. The partnership targets pre‑A sample cells that could deliver up to 450 Wh/kg energy density while cutting capital costs and energy use...
Mars Signs One of Its Largest Renewable Energy Purchase Deals in Europe
Mars announced a power purchase agreement with Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners for 70% of the output from the newly commissioned 277 MW Kölvallen wind farm in Sweden, delivering roughly 670 GWh of clean electricity each year. The deal marks the confectioner’s second...