Today's Mining Pulse
Ximen Mining Deploys Robotic Dog to Accelerate Underground Surveys
Ximen Mining has introduced an autonomous robotic dog at its Kenville mine project in British Columbia, cutting underground survey time by roughly 30%. The move underscores a broader industry shift toward automation and faster, safer data collection.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Ganfeng invests $319M in Australian Mount Marion lithium mine
New Monash-Rio Tinto Agreement Targets Improved Performance of Pilbara Rail Network
Monash University’s Institute of Railway Technology has signed a Master Supply Agreement with Rio Tinto to provide research and engineering services for the miner’s 2,000‑kilometre Pilbara rail network. The partnership will focus on enhancing the AutoHaul autonomous system through real‑time asset health monitoring, rail‑welding improvements, and vehicle‑track interface analysis. Monash IRT will also manage data from the Instrumented Ore Car fleet to support predictive maintenance and operational optimisation. The agreement formalises an existing collaboration, aiming to boost safety, reliability and efficiency of a critical Australian infrastructure asset.
GBM Resources Confirms High-Grade Gold Outside of Existing Resource at Twin Hills
GBM Resources announced that its Stage 2 drilling at the Twin Hills project in Queensland has confirmed additional high‑grade gold mineralisation beyond the current resource at the Lone Sister prospect. The program, now 32% complete, returned 52 m at 2.77 g/t Au and 37 m at...
Iraq Turns to Risky Overland Routes as Oil Exports Collapse
Iraq’s oil exports have slumped about 80 % to roughly 1.2‑1.3 million barrels per day after the Strait of Hormuz became effectively closed. The government, which depends on oil for up to 95 % of its budget, is confronting a severe fiscal shortfall....
Apatite Interaction Enables Rapid Phosphate Removal in Estuaries
A massive 800 million‑liter discharge of phosphate‑laden stack water from the Piney Point gypstack entered Tampa Bay in 2021. Researchers tracking the plume found that pre‑existing apatite in estuarine sediments adsorbed and precipitated most of the dissolved phosphate within the first...
EP3 Brief
The Australian federal government has begun underwriting fertilizer imports, using strategic reserves to absorb price risk and guarantee timely delivery amid ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Grain production in New South Wales and Queensland faces a potential double‑digit decline as...
New Treaty to End the Fossil Fuel Era Is Needed More than Ever (Commentary)
A coalition of more than 50 nations will convene in Santa Marta, Colombia, to launch the first International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, aiming to lay groundwork for a global Fossil Fuel Treaty. The conference follows soaring oil prices—over...
Gina Rinehart-Backed Miner Achieves Remarkable 95.7 Pct Renewable Share in March Quarter, Slashing Diesel Costs
Australian rare‑earth miner Lynas Rare Earths reported that its off‑grid Mt Weld operation ran on 95.7 % renewable electricity in the March quarter, far above the 70 % target. The hybrid system—7 MW solar, 24 MW wind and a 12 MW/12 MWh battery—allowed the site to...
Has Global Gold Production Really Peaked — Or Is a New Supply Cycle Beginning?
Gold prices have surged above $5,500 per ounce in 2026 while mine production has barely risen, creating a structural supply gap. Global mine output grew from 3,516 metric tons in 2016 to a record 3,672 metric tons in 2025, far short of...
Qatar LNG Disruption Triggers Power Crisis in Pakistan
Pakistan’s power grid is under severe strain after QatarEnergy halted LNG production following Iranian strikes. LNG imports fell 67%, forcing daily load‑shedding and factory shutdowns, while hydro, nuclear and gas outputs also slipped. The government faces a trade‑off between costly...
I Get Byro with a Little Help From My Friends – How Science Could Unlock a WA Rare Earths Monster
Octava Minerals is advancing a bio‑leaching pilot at its Byro project in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region to extract rare earth elements, lithium and vanadium from black‑shale deposits. Recent test work with CSIRO cultures delivered recoveries of up to 68 % for...
The Nanoscale Engineering Behind China's Grip on the Green Energy Value Chain
China’s dominance in green‑energy hardware stems from aggressive nanoscale engineering, not just subsidies or scale. By mastering nanostructured silicon wafers, ultra‑thin TOPCon layers, and 2‑5 nm carbon coatings on lithium‑iron‑phosphate cathodes, Chinese firms now control over 80% of solar panel production...
The Hormuz Closure Is Driving a Shortage of Battery Ingredients
The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz has choked the flow of seaborne sulfur, driving up sulfuric acid prices worldwide. As the primary feedstock for refining copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium, the shortage is already prompting output cuts at...
Arsenic Spike in Salween River Traced to Myanmar Mines Threatens Thailand's Fisheries
Researchers at Chiang Mai University have confirmed arsenic levels in Thailand's Salween River are linked to unregulated mining upstream in Myanmar. Satellite analysis identified 127 suspect mines, including five in‑situ leaching sites, prompting Thai authorities to advise against consuming local...
Volt Carbon Receives Third U.S. Patent Allowance for Dry Separation Tech
Volt Carbon Technologies announced the allowance of its third U.S. patent covering a proprietary dry‑separation process for graphite. The water‑free method preserves the crystalline structure of graphite, improving yields for battery‑grade material, expandable graphite and graphene while cutting processing time...
Independent Testing Where Tesla’s Lithium Refinery Discharges Wastewater Found Toxic Metals
Independent testing by Eurofins found hexavalent chromium and arsenic in wastewater from Tesla's $1 billion lithium‑refinery near Corpus Christi, contaminants not covered by the plant’s state permit. Texas regulators previously reported compliance but did not test for heavy metals, creating a...
Gravel Creek Mirrors Nevada Gold Systems, Shows 1 Km Continuity
New geochemical-spectral work at Gravel Creek is showing the same elemental fingerprint as high-grade northern Nevada systems like Midas and Sleeper. Even better: @WEXExploration is seeing more than 1 km of vertical gold continuity. That’s the kind of setup that...
23,000m Drilling Boosts Near‑Surface Gold Potential
At Duquesne West, @EmperorMetals is adding roughly 23,000 meters of data into the model—15,000 meters of new drilling plus 8,000 meters of historical core resampling. Even better: the focus is on near-surface ounces that could support a Phase 1 open-pit...
Argentina Lithium Gets $100M to Advance Rincon West
Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. secured US$100 million from Chinese partner Xi’an Lanshen to advance the Rincon West brine project in Salta. The funding is staged: pilot‑scale direct lithium extraction for pre‑feasibility, engineering and permitting, then construction of a commercial plant....
Congo's Hidden Cost Fuels Clean Energy's Dirty Secret
Clean energy has a dirty secret buried deep in the Congo. Here, The Elements of Power author Nicolas Niarchos @apostcardfromthevolcano pulls the supply chain apart link by link. Notes https://jordanharbinger.com/1315 Apple https://buff.ly/VwoPcHI Spotify https://buff.ly/FjWbpZJ Overcast https://buff.ly/VLlkVWW
Agnico Buys RUP & AU. Also Talk GSKR, KLDC & GOT
Agnico Eagle has completed a $3.5 billion acquisition of Rupert Resources and Aurion Resources, securing the 4.3 million‑ounce Ikkari gold deposit and adjacent land. The transaction expands Agnico's Canadian footprint and adds a high‑grade, near‑term production asset. The deal also triggers market...
A “Good Neighbor” With a Toxic Legacy
In April 2025 a Chevron‑operated well at the Bishop pad near Galeton, Colorado, suffered a catastrophic blowout, spewing over one million gallons of toxic fluids and benzene plumes that forced evacuations and contaminated the local elementary school. Chevron later donated...
Vale's New Mine Could Seal Fate of Brazil's Rare Red Flower
Vale, the world’s largest iron‑ore producer, received a license in September 2025 to mine the fifth canga patch in Brazil’s Carajás region, putting the endemic red Ipomoea cavalcantei at risk of extinction. Scientists warn that three of the five remaining...
America, the Oblivious
The article argues that China is reshaping global trade by providing manufacturing technology to resource‑rich nations of the Global South in exchange for natural commodities, creating a new form of economic imperialism. It contrasts this strategy with the United States’...
Copper Leads Weekly Surge in Global Commodity Prices as DRC Mining Products Show Mixed Trends
Copper prices climbed to $12,836 per ton in the week of April 20‑25, up $688 from the prior week, extending a multi‑week rally. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also projected gains for gold, tin, wolframite and silver ore, while...
DRC Govt Cracks Down on Illegal Gold Mining in Ituri Amid Major Sector Reform Push
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining ministry launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal gold mining in Ituri Province, ordering the closure of several unlicensed sites and seizing heavy equipment. Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba led field missions in Mahagi...
Emerson Releases New Software for Remote Operations
Emerson announced DeltaV Live Enterprise View, a new software that extends real‑time control system visualization to secure web browsers. The solution offers read‑only, role‑based access to live plant displays without modifying existing control systems. By leveraging the DeltaV Edge Environment,...
Benefiting From Rising Lithium Prices, Ganfeng Lithium Expects Q1 Return to Profitability
Ganfeng Lithium said its Q1 2026 net profit will hit ¥1.6‑2.1 bn ($220‑290 million), a 550‑690% jump from a year earlier, with adjusted profit of ¥1.25‑1.75 bn ($174‑243 million). The surge stems from soaring battery‑grade lithium carbonate prices, now around ¥150,000 per ton ($21,000),...
Lithium Shortage Threatens 100% Renewable Energy Goal
Does the world have enough lithium to power all the electric vehicles and stationary batteries needed to transition the world to 100% clean, renewable energy and storage for everything? More info https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-lithium.pdf https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/WWSStillNMN/StillNMN.html Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKBTnj1nTWo
China’s Record Oil Stockpiles Signal Hidden Market Insight
China's oil inventories are at record high.. What do the Chinese know that we don't? Daily Energy Report Link: https://t.co/yJIG1S9GHe
Komatsu Commissions 1,000 Autonomous Ultra-Class Trucks
Komatsu has commissioned its 1,000th autonomous ultra‑class haul truck, a 930E‑5AT deployed at Barrick’s Nevada Gold Mines, making it the first OEM to reach this milestone. Roughly 52% of the fleet are 930E models, with 830E and 980E each accounting...
A2 Gold Launches 2,500‑m Drill
A shift from scouting to measuring, that's how JV describes @A2GoldCorp's 2,500-meter core drill program that just got underway at Eastside. It's focused on both resource definition and expansion. On tap: a stronger resource statement. Major Buy for us: https://t.co/knz4DZJ6NI
Dryden Gold's Maiden Drills Hit Gold Across
The team at @DrydenGold just outlined a 12km by 2.5km gold-in-till anomaly corridor at its Hyndman property. Even better: all six holes from the maiden drill program intersected #gold. This adds confidence they're vectoring into a large fertile gold system:...
Ultrabulk Handymax Makes First Transatlantic Biomass Delivery
Ultra Yorkshire, an Ultrabulk handymax carrier, completed its first transatlantic voyage delivering 29,000 tonnes of biomass pellets from Baton Rouge to Liverpool for Drax Power Station. The trip used B100 biofuel, cutting CO₂ emissions by roughly 90 % versus conventional marine fuel....
U.S. Navy Boards Sanctioned Oil Tanker Safely in Indian Ocean
U.S. forces board a sanctioned oil tanker 'without incident' in the Indian Ocean Map form @Kpler https://t.co/jqhC9bZpvJ
Copper at $6 Signals Economy’s Health Boost
Here comes "The Doctor," touching $6 again. They call it Doctor Copper because the metal's action diagnoses a sick or recovering economy. A nice 55.1 on ISM Manufacturing Production indicates the industrial sector has been taking its Vitamin (C)opper. https://t.co/BGqFYLIPUI
DRC’s Economic Rise Gains Momentum as Mining Boom and Currency Reforms Reshape Growth
The International Monetary Fund projects the Democratic Republic of Congo’s GDP to reach roughly $123 billion in 2026, positioning it as the fifth‑largest economy in Sub‑Saharan Africa. Growth is driven by a mining boom that now contributes about 25% of GDP...
China and US Fight Tightening Copper Market
A global tug of war between the SHFE (China) and the Comex (USA) for copper
Arkansas Lithium Reserves Offer US Independence From China
US Sen Tom Cotton on lithium development in Arkansas: "We should not be relying on Communist China for this crucial mineral."
Stakeholder Discusses Ballarat Phase 1 Exploration Program
Stakeholder Gold Corp announced a 2,000‑meter exploration drilling program at its 100% owned Ballarat Gold‑Copper Project in the Yukon, slated to begin around May 1, 2026. The campaign will test four greenfield targets—Skye Gold, Loki Copper, East and Northwest Zones—using shallow diamond...
Supply Chain Blindness Fuels Commodity Scarcity Worldwide
All the while supplies of commodities are running scarce. Neither side seems to understand or care about supply chains and the global effect.
AI Boosts Mining Safety with Real‑Time Situational Awareness
LoopX: #AI-Powered Situational Awareness for Safer Mining Operations via @WevolverApp #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech https://t.co/ThsjFe3HOb
From Handshakes to Shovels in the Ground: How the EU Can Reset Its Minerals Diplomacy
The European Union’s push to secure critical minerals is hampered by a gap between diplomatic agreements and on‑the‑ground investment. While the EU has signed 15 strategic partnerships and launched the Critical Raw Materials Act, China still controls processing for 19...
Gold Bull Run Set for $6‑7K Amid US Policy Fear
My take with @WallStBullion on why the GOLD BULL is here to stay: "Gold will peak out at $6,000-$7,000/oz. People are worried erratic US policy. They don't want to get trapped in the dollar system for fear of sanctions. So they...
China’s Rare Earth Export Decline Exposes Deal Fragility
China. Drop in exports to the US. Rare earth minerals. What happened to the deal with China? The art of the quick “deal” meets political reality.
Boonray Signs Cooperation Deal with Vale Indonesia Following Successful Electric Mining Truck Trial
Shanghai Boonray Intelligent Technology and PT Vale Indonesia have signed a strategic cooperation agreement after a successful trial of Boonray’s all‑electric mining trucks. The trial demonstrated stable operation and more than 50% reduction in energy costs, prompting Vale to become...
Alcoa Adding Aluminum Capacity to Offset War Outages
Alcoa Corp is rapidly adding primary‑aluminum smelting capacity at plants in Portland, Australia, Brazil, Norway and Spain to capture price premiums sparked by war‑driven supply cuts in the Middle East. CEO Bill Oplinger said the higher regional premiums in North...
Cleveland-Cliffs Q1 2026 Earnings Surge on Higher Iron‑Ore Prices, EBITDA Hits $95M
Cleveland-Cliffs posted adjusted EBITDA of $95 million for Q1 2026, a $274 million YoY rise, driven by a $68‑per‑ton price increase and higher shipments. The company flagged an $80 million energy‑cost hit, a 40% Canadian price discount and a $425 million asset‑sale target for the...
Talisker Increases Bralorne Gold Project Diamond Drill Program to 105,000 Metres
Talisker Resources Ltd. announced a major expansion of its diamond‑drill campaign at the Bralorne Gold Project, increasing the total planned metres from 30,000 to 105,000. The program will deliver roughly 83,000 metres of infill drilling at the Mustang and Bralorne...
Bring Back the Helium Reserve—Before the Next Shock Hits
Iran-linked attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex in March shut down a facility that supplies roughly one‑third of the world’s helium, sending prices soaring and tightening supplies for high‑tech sectors. Helium’s unique physical properties make long‑term stockpiling difficult, and the United...
Magnetite Mines Initiates Drilling at Ironback Hill
Magnetite Mines has begun a 2,000‑metre air‑core drilling campaign at its Ironback Hill rare‑earth element (REE) project in north‑east South Australia after rain‑induced access delays. The program targets clay‑hosted, near‑surface REE mineralisation identified from re‑examined 2011‑12 iron‑ore drill cores. Permits...