Today's Mining Pulse
Indonesia grants export monopoly to state trader, targeting $66B 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 trader PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI). The policy aims to capture roughly $66.13B in annual resource revenues and curb historic tax leakage estimated at $908B.
Also developing:
Australia’s Green Heavy Industry Push Hinges on Scaling Challenge, Monash and UNSW Analysis Finds
Australian researchers from Monash University and UNSW Sydney say the nation can decarbonise its heavy‑industry sector and become a low‑emissions exporter, but the real obstacle is scaling coordinated industrial hubs rather than technology itself. Advances such as green hydrogen and carbon‑free steelmaking are technically ready, yet isolated projects face financing and approval bottlenecks. The study proposes shared‑infrastructure zones—like an expanded Gladstone cluster—to cut power costs by 20‑30% and streamline supply chains. Government‑led coordination and policy certainty are deemed essential to unlock these benefits.
Bought a Junior Partnered with Denison in Athabasca Drilling
What are your favorite juniors…I just bought one partnered with Denison in Athabasca drilling right now. https://t.co/1R7kaXc9LD
Mount Hope Opens Door to Toll Treatment Options with Mt Solitary Gold Leach Success
Mount Hope Mining confirmed that its Mt Solitary gold deposit in NSW’s Cobar Basin is highly amenable to cyanide leaching, achieving an average 88% gold solubility across 234 samples. The consistency of recovery—from surface material to fresh rock at 140 m...
Odyssey Gold Delivers Recoveries Above 95% in Metallurgical Testing of Tuckanarra Ore Sample
Odyssey Gold reported metallurgical test work on a 44‑kg composite sample from the Tuckanarra project’s Cable starter pit, achieving gold leach recoveries of 95.9% after eight hours. Reagent consumption was low, with cyanide at 0.37 kg/t and lime at 2.65 kg/t, while...
Finland Pledges $44 Million to Fast‑track Keliber Lithium Project
Finland’s state‑owned Finnish Minerals Group is injecting €40 million (about $44 million) into Keliber’s lithium venture, enabling a phased ramp‑up of mining and concentration work. The funding complements €783 million already invested and underscores the EU’s drive for domestic battery‑material supply.
Indonesia’s Crocodile Attacks Rise as Wetlands Are Cleared for Mining, Oil Palm
A wave of estuarine crocodile attacks has swept Bangka Island, with the latest fatality marking the 21st death in five years. Researchers link the surge to extensive wetland destruction caused by illegal tin mining and the conversion of swamps into...
Underground Mine Voids Enable Large-Scale Energy Storage
A new study shows that abandoned coal‑mine goafs can be transformed into large‑scale compressed‑air energy storage (CAES) reservoirs, using detailed 3D geological modeling to assess volume and stability. The Nanshan Mine case demonstrated that pressurizing the voids between 6 MPa and...
Analyst Triples Target on Terra Metals to 84c, Tipping 205pc Upside
East Coast Research has tripled its price target for Australian PGM junior Terra Metals to 84 cents, implying a 205% upside from the current 32c price. The upgrade follows a high‑grade Southwest discovery at the Dante project, which returned a peak...
Taseko Announces Continued Strong Operational and Financial Results in the First Quarter 2026
Taseko Mines posted a strong first‑quarter 2026, with Adjusted EBITDA of $93 million and earnings from mining operations of $115 million, up 172% and 195% year‑over‑year. Revenue reached $237 million driven by 27 million lb of copper and 708 thousand lb of molybdenum sold. Gibraltar mine produced...
Petrus Resources Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial and Operating Results
Petrus Resources reported Q1 2026 results, noting a 13% production increase to 10,054 boe/d after closing a Cardium acquisition that added roughly 2,000 boe/d and boosted liquids weighting. Funds flow rose 7% to CAD 13.3 million (≈US 9.8 million) while capital spending reached CAD 21.5 million (≈US 15.9 million). The deal...
Lundin Reports Bonanza Intercepts at Fruta Del Norte
Lundin Gold announced two record‑grade drill intercepts at its Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador, including a 7.5‑metre section grading 667.78 g/t Au and an 8‑metre section at 523.01 g/t Au. The results underpin a broader resource upgrade effort aimed at extending...
B2Gold Reports Q1 2026 Results
B2Gold reported a strong first‑quarter 2026, producing 237,763 ounces of gold and generating $200 million in net income ($0.15 per share). Cash operating costs fell to $1,005 per ounce produced and all‑in sustaining costs improved to $1,964 per ounce sold, while...
Erdene Announces Q1 2026 Results
Erdene Resource Development reported a strong Q1 2026, with its 50%‑owned Bayan Khundii gold mine achieving commercial production at 94% of target throughput and 96% gold recovery. The mine sold 8,527 ounces of gold and 3,135 ounces of silver, generating US$42 million in...
Miners Undervalued; Operating Leverage Drives Upside
Early breakout in the miners. Amazes me how the miners-to-gold ratio still sits at historically undervalued levels. This move is likely to accelerate to the upside. Operating leverage in mining companies during a secular cycle is one of the most powerful dynamics in...
Ark Mines Eyes Gold Credit Upside From Shallow Sandy Mitchell Drilling
Ark Mines (ASX: AHK) reported shallow gold intersections from paleochannel drilling at its Sandy Mitchell rare‑earth project in northern Queensland. Assays showed up to 0.27 g/t gold over one‑metre intervals, which gravity concentration raised to as high as 4.5 g/t. The company...
Honey Badger Silver (5/6/2026)
Don Durrett’s newsletter outlines a framework for evaluating gold and silver mining stocks and applies it to Honey Badger Silver (HBSD). The junior miner holds about 12 million ounces of combined proven and probable reserves and operates at roughly $5 per...
Australia, Japan Commit $1.67 Bn to Boost Critical Minerals Supply Chains
Australia and Japan announced a joint declaration that earmarks up to $1.3 bn from Australia and $370 m from Japan to accelerate critical‑minerals projects. The move aims to diversify supply chains for rare earths, lithium and other strategic resources, reinforcing both economies’...
Hainan University’s COF Captures 99% of Gold From E‑Waste in Hours
Researchers at Hainan University unveiled a light‑driven covalent organic framework that extracts gold from electronic‑waste solutions with roughly 99% efficiency, capturing 99.9% of the metal in four hours. The breakthrough promises a low‑energy, highly selective alternative to traditional hydrometallurgical and...
Big Oil Resists Push to Prioritize Output Growth
Big Oil posted strong first‑quarter earnings as soaring oil and gas prices lifted profit margins in both Europe and the United States. Despite the price rally, major producers such as ExxonMobil and Chevron did not increase output, with Exxon reporting...
Mining Association of British Columbia Touts Economic Impact, Presses Province on DRIPA
The Mining Association of British Columbia released a new report quantifying the sector’s contribution to the provincial economy, citing roughly $5 billion in annual GDP impact and over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. The association also highlighted recent capital investments exceeding...
Starved Supply Feeds Strong Profit Growth
Supply of nitrogen fertilizer remains tightly constrained by geopolitical tensions, export quotas and chronic underinvestment, while demand stays largely inelastic. The global market leader leverages low‑cost U.S. natural gas to achieve industry‑leading margins, growing revenue 11% and NOPAT 29% annually...
THE COMING URANIUM SQUEEZE: The 85M Lb Deficit, the A.I. Demand Shock, the Hollowed-Out U.S. Production Crisis & Why Uranium...
Uranium markets are entering a tight supply cycle, with global demand projected to outpace supply by roughly 85 million pounds, driven largely by AI‑powered data centers and grid modernization. The Sprott Physical Uranium Trust now holds over 81 million pounds—about two years...
OTC Speakers Say Venezuela Reopening Hinges on Stability, Legal Clarity
At the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference, speakers warned that Venezuela’s re‑entry into the U.S. energy market hinges on political stability, clear legal frameworks, and manageable geopolitical risk. U.S. majors such as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips have already dispatched technical teams to...
Brazil Poised for $21.3 Bn Critical‑Mineral Investment by 2030
Brazil will draw $21.3 bn in critical‑mineral investments through 2030, a 15.2% rise over the previous forecast. The surge centers on rare‑earth, lithium and other battery metals, positioning the country as a key alternative to China’s dominance.
Gold, Silver Firm up on Prospects of Easing US-Iran Tensions
Gold surged to ₹1,50,860 per 10 g (≈ $5,600 per ounce) and silver to ₹2,49,067 per kg (≈ $93 per ounce) as news of a possible US‑Iran peace deal lifted market sentiment. The rally coincided with Brent crude dropping 7% to about $102...
South Africa’s Gold Sector Revives with Low-Cost Projects and Modular Mining Shift
South Africa’s gold industry is seeing a resurgence as companies pivot to low‑cost, modular projects. Theta Gold’s TGME project aims to produce about 1.24 million ounces over 13 years, with a 900 kW modular ball mill slated for commissioning by the end of...
Mozambique Proposes Mining Overhaul with State Equity and Raw Export Ban
Mozambique’s draft mining law revision would obligate a minimum 15% government equity stake in every new mining project and prohibit the export of unprocessed minerals. The proposal also extends mining concessions to 25 years, sets exploration licences for two to...
DRC Weighs Stake in $270M Zambia Power Link to Ease Mining Energy Shortages
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is weighing an equity stake in a $270 million, 200‑km high‑voltage transmission line that will link Zambia’s Kalumbila power plant to the copper hub of Kolwezi. The line is slated to deliver 460 MW initially, with...
JSE Gold Shares Surge on Hopes of US-Iran Deal
Gold and silver posted their strongest weekly gains as optimism over a potential US‑Iran peace deal lifted bullion prices. In London, gold climbed to $4,680.20 per ounce, up 3.7%, while silver surged 5.5% to $76.81. The news also sent the...
Ongoing Hormuz Closure Could Expand Bunker Wait Times Globally: Analyst
The Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively closed since the Middle East war began on Feb. 28, prompting S&P Global analysts to warn that a month‑long shutdown could push two‑week bunker fuel lead times in Asia to a global two‑week norm. Asian...
'Seamless, End-to-End Workflow': Leapfrog's Big Update
Seequent, a Bentley Systems company, has launched Leapfrog 2026.1, a major upgrade to its Geo and Edge platforms. The release introduces an advanced stratigraphy surface, new interaction tools, and tighter integrations with GIS and data‑management systems, promising a seamless end‑to‑end workflow...
BGFIBank Engages Industry Leaders at First Mining Summit Tech in Kolwezi
BGFIBank launched BGFIMines Flex at Mining Summit Tech 2026 in Kolwezi, offering purchase‑order financing without traditional collateral for DRC mining subcontractors. The product targets liquidity gaps for local firms amid new regulations that prioritize Congolese ownership. By providing fast, flexible...
Nickel Spot Price Jumps 17% After Indonesia Cuts Production Quotas
Nickel’s spot price surged 17% in the first quarter of 2026 after the Indonesian government announced a 30% cut in ore production and a reduction in 2026 export quotas. The World Bank attributes the jump to the policy shift, which...
White Gold Spins Out W2 Critical Minerals
White Gold Corp. is spinning out six non‑gold Yukon properties into a new public vehicle, W2 Critical Minerals Corp., to focus on copper and other critical mineral targets. Shareholders will receive one W2 share for every five White Gold shares,...
Zanaga Iron Ore Confirms Positive DRI Plant Costing Outcomes
Zanaga Iron Ore Company completed a feasibility study for a direct‑reduced‑iron (DRI) plant in the Republic of Congo, confirming premium DRI product quality and refined cost estimates. Stage‑one capital expenditure is now pegged at $2.17 bn with a net present value...
TMCR’s New Royalty Deal Creates Positive Cash Flow Perpetual
The Koala likes this deal but in particular the option to buy another 1% of the 4% royalty in the 45 days after closing for The Metals Royalty Company $TMCR DRI is one of the least appreciated growth commodities by consensus...
Deadly Blast Hits Kazakhstan’s Largest Multi‑Metal Plant
Yesterday, a DEADLY EXPLOSION rocked Glencore’s Kazzinc plant. It's Kazakhstan's largest producer of zinc, lead, copper, gold, and silver. Just more confirmation of Hanke's Schoolboy Theory of History: It's just one damn thing after another. https://t.co/fWJMVUFSm2
India's NMDC Raises Iron Ore Prices in May
India's state‑run miner NMDC increased its iron‑ore prices for the fourth month in May, setting the 10‑40 mm Baila 65.5% lump ore at Rs 5,500 per tonne (about $58) and 64% Baila fines at Rs 4,700 per tonne. Both grades rose Rs 200 per...
Lithium Prices Surge; Albemarle Beats Profit Forecast
Lithium prices are marching higher ... @AlbemarleCorp's quarterly profit was more than double Wall Street's expectations. $ALB https://t.co/jtunCdXDQu
RDS Mining Injects $20M to Fund O'Brien Gold Drilling
A C$20M bought-deal financing from @RDSMining is a serious cash injection for the O’Brien story and will include more deep drilling. As JV puts it, this additional capital buys more shots on goal—or more aptly, shots on #gold. Overweight position:...
Is This Mining's Moonshot Moment?
BHP’s vice‑president of innovation, Jess Farrell, delivered a spirited address at the GRX26 conference in Perth, urging the mining industry to embrace bold, moonshot‑style innovation. She highlighted the sector’s urgent need for digital transformation, automation, and sustainable practices to stay...
Tectonic Metals Launches $100M Drill Program Targeting Chicken
A C$100M war chest and 5 drill rigs is how @TectonicMetals kicks off the drill season. Chicken Mountain is the main focus, where mngt is targeting a maiden Resource in Q1-2027. As JV puts it, big system + big budget...
US Refiners Ramp up Jet Fuel to Meet Shortage
CHART OF THE DAY: US refiners are going gangbusters trying to solve the global jet-fuel shortage (and to cash in record high margins). The chart shows seasonal jet-fuel output from 2000-to-date (2026 is top line in blue). The bottom outliers are...
To Tax or Not to Tax Mineral Rights in India? SC to Hear Pleas on May 20
The Indian Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for May 20 to decide whether Parliament can tax mineral rights, after the Centre filed a pending curative petition. A nine‑judge bench in July 2024 had ruled 8‑1 that such taxing power resides with the...
Majority of Gold/Silver Miners Jump 10% on AI Hype
Ten of our fifteen Gold/Silver Miners are up 10%+ today, like they pivoted to AI
China's Domestic Coal Shields It From Energy Price Shocks
Because of its heavy reliance on domestically-mined coal, China is far less vulnerable to global energy price shocks than the EU. This and more featured in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/XIXIgRqQmP
Appalachian Lithium: Where Hype Runs Smack Into Mining Reality
The U.S. Geological Survey released a report estimating 2.3 million metric tons of economically recoverable lithium oxide in pegmatite deposits spanning Maine to South Carolina. That resource could replace 328 years of U.S. lithium imports at 2024 consumption levels, theoretically supplying enough...
Visible Silver Hits First Three Holes, Expanding 24Moz Target
$VML.V Visible Silver Mineralization in 1st 3 Holes…Coronadite, Mn-oxides & possible acanthite at Kate Resource. Targeting expansion of ~24Moz silver resource, historic Colorado district. Assays pending. @ViscountMining
US‑Iran Deal Hype Fades as Brent Slides Below $100
Be Careful: Don’t Fall for the US-Iran Deal Hype — Brent Drops Below $100 https://t.co/1xmqJkWtPm
Copper Supply Lags Demand Amid Permitting Delays, Lower Grades, Policy Risks
At the FT Commodities Global Summit on April 22, industry executives warned that copper supply is falling behind demand due to permitting delays, higher capital costs, lower ore grades and policy uncertainty. Spot copper concentrate treatment charges slipped to a...