Today's Mining Pulse
Chinese financing fuels a $98 billion mineral power shift
A wave of $98 billion in Chinese financing and heightened U.S. diplomatic activity has thrust critical minerals into the geopolitical spotlight. Resource‑rich nations such as the DRC, Brazil and Zambia are leveraging their mineral wealth to negotiate better terms and assert greater control over strategic industries.
Also developing:
Corpus Christi Water Crisis Spurs Stampede on South Texas Aquifers
A severe water shortage in South Texas has driven Corpus Christi and surrounding communities to rapidly tap the Evangeline and other aquifers. The city began pumping millions of gallons per day after Governor Abbott waived permitting, prompting a cascade of new wellfields and threatening rural wells with declining levels and rising salinity. Planned withdrawals could exceed sustainable rates by as much as 1,000%, and the city may need to enforce a 25% cut in water use for industrial users. Residents and small towns fear loss of supply while legal challenges over groundwater permits intensify.
Core Lithium Taps NRW for Open-Pit Mining at Grants Deposit
Core Lithium Ltd has signed a roughly A$50 million (≈$35 million) surface‑mining services contract with NRW Pty Ltd to restart open‑pit operations at the Grants deposit in its Finniss Lithium Operation, Northern Territory. The Grants pit will deliver about 784,000 tonnes of ore,...
Iranian Crude Trades at a Premium to Brent After US Waives Sanctions
The United States temporarily lifted the ban on Iranian crude on March 20, allowing Iran’s light oil to re‑enter global markets. This policy shift pushed Iranian crude $1 above the Brent benchmark, its first premium since May 2022, and narrowed the Brent‑Urals...
Kenya Opens Bidding for Prized Rare Earths Deposit
Kenya has opened a competitive tender for the Mrima Hill rare‑earths and niobium deposit, seeking bids from US, Chinese and Australian firms. More than ten companies have already signaled interest, and the government insists any award must include in‑country processing....
CATL Taps Zijin Mining Founder as Mining Advisor
China's CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, has hired Chen Jinghe, the founder and former chairman of Zijin Mining, as an advisor to its mining division. Chen, who grew Zijin into a $120 billion mining group, stepped down last year...
India Back to Buying Venezuelan Crude
India is set to import over 12 million barrels of Venezuelan crude this month, the highest volume since February 2020, as it seeks to replace Middle‑East supplies disrupted by the Iran war. The cargoes, mainly the sulfur‑rich Merey blend, were secured before...
Black Sea Oil Hubs in Crosshairs After Drone Strikes
Ukraine intensified drone attacks on Russian oil export hubs in the Black Sea, striking the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Novorossiysk. The strikes damaged a single point mooring, loading infrastructure, four storage tanks, and six of seven berths at...
ATI Boosts Jet Engine Alloy Supply with New NC Furnace
ATI will add a new VIM furnace in North Carolina to expand nickel superalloy capacity for jet engine demand. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/ati-nickel-superalloy-capacity.html
Gold Buying Prices in Zimbabwe per Gram/ Ounce, 7 April 2026
Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) released its official gold buying prices for Zimbabwe on 7 April 2026, covering a range of purity grades from 75 % to 90 %+ and a fire‑assay cash rate for larger lots. Prices span $132.21 to $139.56 per gram, equivalent...
Hunting Gets $63.5 Million of Subsea Orders for New Development Off Guyana
London‑based energy services firm Hunting has secured subsea contracts worth $63.5 million for a new offshore development off Guyana. The award covers the delivery of Hunting’s titanium stress joint (TSJ) product line through its Subsea Spring unit, with revenue to be...
Kenmare’s Year of Prices, Politics and Pain
Kenmare Resources is locked in a dispute with the Mozambican government over a new fiscal deal for its Moma mineral sands mine. The tax authority imposed a 2.5% royalty and stripped the mine’s free‑zone status, eliminating $25‑40 million in annual tax...
Zimbabwe Diamonds Take Dubai by Storm as 500,000 Carats Draw Global Buyers
Zimbabwe’s diamond sector reclaimed global attention after a 500,000‑carat showcase in Dubai sparked strong international demand. The state‑run ZCDC appointed Dubai‑based Trans Atlantic Gem Sales as its second tender house, joining Taurum Group while reserving 10% of output for local...
Kiniero Quarter 1 Production Update
Robex Resources reported that its newly commissioned Kiniero Gold Mine in Guinea milled 1.6 million tonnes of ore at 0.85 g/t Au, producing 39,367 oz of gold and pouring 38,178 oz in Q1 2026. The company sold 32,306 oz at an average realized price of $4,804...
India Expands Access to Critical Minerals With Mining Rule Changes
India has amended its Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to simplify access to critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earths. The new rules, effective March 30, 2026, let leaseholders expand standard leases by 10 % and composite...
Novatek Creates Shipbuilding Arm
Novatek, Russia's largest independent gas producer, has launched a shipbuilding subsidiary, Severny Inzhiniring, to build and maintain ice‑class LNG carriers and condensate tankers. The move aims to circumvent Western sanctions that have cut off access to Asian yards like Hanwha...
Middle Eastern Crisis – Live Updates – WC 6th April 2026
Episode 3’s latest live feed shows Australian landed urea prices soaring to A$1,445‑A$1,495 per tonne (approximately $950‑$990 USD), surpassing the peak levels seen during the first year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Diesel imports are on track to outpace last year,...
Pioneer Adds Processing Firepower to Idaho Tungsten Push
Australian miner Pioneer Minerals has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mineral Technologies USA to evaluate processing options for its Springfield tungsten project in Idaho. The partnership will conduct lab tests on both fresh ore and historic tailings, aiming to...
Star Minerals Mobilises to Start Gold Mining at Tumblegum South
Star Minerals and contractor MEGA Resources have begun site mobilisation at the Tumblegum South gold project in Western Australia, clearing topsoil and installing offices. The project holds a 45,000‑ounce gold resource and aims to produce 11,800‑15,900 ounces annually, processed at...
Grains Remain on the Uncertainty Roundabout
Global grain markets have softened as improved U.S. rainfall forecasts eased bullish sentiment on winter wheat, while USDA reports only 35 % of the crop in good-to-excellent condition, below expectations. Funds have rapidly unwound long positions built on weather risk, pushing...
Cutifani and Co Like What They See at Chalice
Chalice Mining has engaged a veteran advisory team, led by former Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani, to accelerate the financing and development of its Gonneville project in Western Australia. The trio, brought in through the Odin Partnership, will refine the...
Queensland Accelerates ‘Significant’ Critical Minerals Project
Queensland has designated the Sugarbag Hill ultra‑high purity quartz sand venture as a prescribed project, unlocking faster approvals for a $515 million Australian (≈$340 million USD) development. The project will generate 600 construction jobs and 140 permanent roles across North and Far...
Antipa Hails Stronger Minyari Development Potential
Antipa Minerals announced a mineral resource upgrade for its 100%‑owned Minyari gold‑copper‑silver project in Western Australia. The total resource now stands at 2.9 million ounces of gold, or 3.6 million ounces gold‑equivalent, reflecting a near‑10% increase. Indicated resources have risen to 85%...
Israel Strikes Iran’s South Pars Gas Complex Again
Israel launched a second airstrike on Iran's South Pars gas field and its adjacent petrochemical complex, targeting the Asaluyeh refinery and the Mahshahr plant. The attacks knocked out facilities that produce roughly 50% of Iran's petrochemicals and account for about...
Sky-High Fuel Prices Will Drive Ship Efficiency Retrofits
U.S. efforts to block the IMO’s Net Zero Framework are unintentionally accelerating maritime sustainability as Middle‑East attacks drive bunker fuel prices to historic highs. The surge in marine fuel costs dramatically shortens the payback horizon for efficiency retrofits, making measures...
Mont Royal on Track to Complete Ashram Preliminary Economic Assessment Update in April
Mont Royal Resources says its Ashram preliminary economic assessment (PEA) is 80% complete and on track for an April 2026 release. The updated study incorporates new assumptions on site access, logistics and processing that are expected to lower capital and...
Angola: Govt Strengthens Measures to Combat Vandalism and Illegal Mining
Angola's executive branch is accelerating a new anti‑vandalism law after the previous statute was struck down, and has already closed more than 1,600 weighing stations that were linked to property damage. The proposal, approved by the Council of Ministers, targets...
Mesabi Metallics Secures $150 Million From Macquarie to Push U.S. Iron‑Ore Project Forward
Mesabi Metallics announced a $150 million financing deal with Macquarie Group to back the Q3‑2026 startup of its Direct Reduction iron‑ore mine and pellet plant in Minnesota. The funding follows a $520 million senior secured credit facility and adds to a $2.5 billion...
Orion's $40bn DRC Deal Could Redefine Western Copper Supply
Orion’s possible 40pc purchase of Glencore’s DRC mines could reshape western copper and cobalt access. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/orion-glencore-drc-stake-sale-could.html
CATL Appoints Former Zijin Mining Founder as Mining Adviser
Top EV battery maker CATL has tapped the founder and ex-chairman of Zijin Mining as an adviser for its growing mining business, according to people familiar with the matter https://t.co/bIslk5SVG8
The Recovery Revolution Sparked by Platinum Group Metals
The IDTechEx report highlights the platinum group metals (PGM) recycling sector as a proven model for critical material recovery. Today, 21‑34% of global PGM demand is satisfied from secondary sources, generating roughly 73% of the recovery market’s value despite modest...
Potash Prices Remain Stable Amid Fertilizer Market Shifts
CHARTS OF THE DAY: Not every fertiliser price is going up. Back in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, nitrogen fertilisers (urea and ammonia) rose shaprly. AT THE SAME TIME, potash fertiliser (potassium chloride) also surged. This time, potash fertilisers are little changed....
Chinese Coal Firms Pivot to Chemicals, Sparking Major Fallout
The unintended consequences will be significant anyway you look at it Chinese coal companies are turning to chemicals manufacturing for growth
New Report | Batteries for Construction, Agriculture & Mining Machines
IDTechEx released a comprehensive report forecasting off‑highway battery demand for construction, agriculture and mining equipment through 2036. It projects total battery consumption to reach 45 GWh and outlines revenue growth in the US‑dollar billions. The study evaluates current NMC and LFP...
IRGC Aims to Block Qatari LNG, Boost US Supply
Ok, I get it, so...the IRGC wants to choke China and help the US LNG industry by preventing Qatari LNG from reaching China. https://t.co/ERTjvf1YSU
Material Demand for EV Batteries to Reach 22.2 Million Tonnes by 2036
IDTechEx forecasts global electric‑vehicle battery material demand will reach 22.2 million tonnes by 2036. More than 70% of that demand comes from cell components, with a clear shift toward low‑cost LFP chemistries and higher‑nickel NMC as manufacturers chase energy density. Anode...
EV Li-Ion Cell Materials Market Set to Reach US$154 Billion by 2036
IDTechEx forecasts the global EV lithium‑ion cell material market to reach about $154 billion by 2036. The report highlights the current dominance of nickel‑based NMC 811 and low‑cost LFP chemistries, with LFP priced at $34/kWh and NMC 811 at $39/kWh in 2025. Material...
The Latest Lithium Developments - From Additives to Extraction
IDTechEx highlights rapid growth in lithium‑ion battery additives and the emergence of direct lithium extraction (DLE) as a game‑changing supply method. Additives—binders, conductive agents, electrolyte enhancers—remain under 10% of cell mass but are critical for performance, with PFAS‑free alternatives gaining...
Plansee Group Increases Stake in Molymet
Plansee Group has raised its ownership in Molymet to a 31 percent stake, cementing its position as the largest single shareholder in the world’s leading molybdenum and rhenium processor. The move underscores Plansee’s strategy to secure a stable, independent supply...
Wagyu Price Update for 2025
Australian Wagyu prices continued their gradual recovery in Q4 2025, with every genetic category posting higher averages than the previous quarter. F1 cattle rose to $1,797 per head, while Full‑blood Wagyu reached $4,418 per head, still well below the 2021‑22 peak...
Processing Capacity, Not Discovery, Limits Rare‑Earth Gains
When it comes to speaking with generalist investors about the mining industry, nothing reveals the level of understanding more than the overwhelming focus on minerals that are, in reality, very small markets. Rare earths are indeed critical metals, but they remain...
Panama Moves to Unlock Copper From Idled Mine
Panama’s Commerce and Industries Ministry will issue a resolution permitting First Quantum Minerals to remove and process the 38 million‑tonne stockpile at the idled Cobre Panama mine, which contains roughly 70,000 tonnes of copper. Processing could start within three months and run...
U.S. Backs Lobito Corridor Concession as Strategic Project in Partnership with DRC
The United States has designated the Mota‑Engil concession for the Congolese segment of the Lobito Corridor as a priority project under its strategic partnership with the DRC. The corridor aims to route 50% of copper, 30% of cobalt and 90%...
Kristie Batten: Heavy Rare Earths Aiming to Unlock SA’s Critical Minerals Potential
Heavy Rare Earths (ASX:HRE) has completed a board overhaul and now focuses on two flagship projects in South Australia: the tin‑rich Prospect Hill and the multi‑metal Radium Hill corridor. The company plans a 2,500‑metre drilling campaign at Prospect Hill to...
DRC Govt Moves to Strengthen Gold Sector Governance and Combat Smuggling
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa announced a sweeping reform package to improve gold traceability, boost state revenue, and curb smuggling in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A technical working group has drafted revisions to the national traceability manual and to the...
VanEck's Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF Gains Over 125% as Investor Appetite Swells
VanEck's Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has climbed more than 125% over the past year, driven by heightened demand for rare‑earth commodities. The fund holds 34 positions, with an expense ratio of 0.58%, but its narrow focus brings...
Explorers Podcast: Caspin Drills for Scale at Bygoo Tin Project
Caspin Resources is extending reverse‑circulation drilling beyond its high‑grade Kelpie deposit at the Bygoo tin project in New South Wales. Kelpie currently hosts just under 20,000 tonnes of tin at roughly 0.5% Sn, a robust grade for open‑pit mining. Management...
Codelco and SANY Conduct Successful Pilot of 100% Electric Transport Truck on Strategic Northern Route
Codelco and Chinese equipment maker SANY completed a 680‑kilometre round‑trip pilot using a 100% electric heavy‑duty truck that hauled 27 tonnes of copper between the Radomiro Tomic mine and Angamos Port in Chile's Atacama Desert. The test, conducted under a new...
Trump Demands Free Oil Flow Through Hormuz in Deal
US President Donald Trump says that “part of the deal is we want free traffic of oil” via the Strait of Hormuz. (In reference to the current US-Iran talks via regional intermediaries)
How to Leverage PLC/SCADA and Digital Twins for Mining Operations
Mining operators are increasingly deploying PLC and SCADA platforms to achieve real‑time visibility across underground and surface sites. A recent gold‑mine project linked 17 PLC nodes via an OPC UA architecture, harvesting over 40,000 data points annually and turning raw logs...
Interior Department to Merge Offshore Oil and Gas Regulatory Agencies
The U.S. Interior Department announced a phased merger of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) into a new Marine Minerals Administration. The consolidation is intended to align leasing, permitting, inspections...