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:
Canadian Helium Company Wants Ottawa's Help to Build Country's First Liquefaction Facility
North American Helium, a Calgary‑based producer accounting for about 3% of global helium, is seeking federal financial assistance to fund a $100 million CAD (≈ $74 million USD) liquefaction plant in southwest Saskatchewan. The company currently ships raw helium to the United States for liquefaction, creating dependence on cross‑border infrastructure. With helium now classified as a critical mineral and recent Middle‑East conflicts disrupting Qatar’s output, prices have surged, heightening the strategic value of domestic processing. The proposed 18‑20‑month, shovel‑ready project promises jobs, royalties and reduced supply‑chain vulnerability, though its U.S.‑heavy ownership raises political questions.
US Secures Rare Earths Supply as Part of $565mn Loan to Brazil Mining Group
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) approved a $565 million loan to Brazil’s Serra Verde, granting the United States off‑take rights to rare earths from the company’s Pela Ema mine. The agreement ensures that heavy rare earths, critical for magnets...
The Invisible Chokepoint: Sulfur, Nitrogen, Helium – and the Strait of Hormuz
The article warns that sulfur, nitrogen and helium—key inputs for fertilizers, sulfuric acid and high‑tech applications—are tied to oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of global oil and gas, 30% of nitrogen‑fertilizer trade, 45‑50% of...
Thailand Seeks LNG Supplies From Malaysia Due to Middle East Conflict
Thailand is seeking additional LNG supplies from Malaysia to offset disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, which currently provides about 5%‑10% of its imports. The country receives two to three LNG vessels from the region each month, and officials...
Daily Memo: France-Japan Meeting, Russia-Armenia Talks
France and Japan signed a strategic roadmap to deepen cooperation on critical minerals during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Tokyo. The agreement includes securing raw material supplies for a rare‑earths refinery in southern France, where a Japanese state‑owned firm holds...
Iran War Triggers Global Fuel, Fertilizer, Helium and Aluminum Shortages, Sending Prices Soaring
The Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict has ignited a multi‑commodity crisis, with illicit diesel siphoning in India, Brent crude up 60%, urea prices up 30%, and helium spot prices jumping 70‑100%. The fallout is rattling supply chains from fuel to food and high‑tech...
SECL Posts First Simultaneous Gains in Production, Offtake and OBR for FY 2025‑26
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) posted a 5.26% increase in coal production to 176.2 million tonnes, a 4.6% rise in offtake to 178.6 million tonnes and its highest ever overburden removal of 364.3 million cubic metres in FY 2025‑26. The gains make SECL the...
Brian Leeners on Homerun Resources’ High-Grade Silica Positioning for a Critical Role in Energy and Technology Supply Chains
Homerun Resources Inc., led by CEO Brian Leeners, is positioning high‑grade silica as a strategic material for both energy and technology supply chains. The company focuses on Brazil’s abundant silica deposits, leveraging vertical integration to capture value from raw extraction...
Ivanhoe Cuts Copper Guidance at Kamoa-Kakula
Ivanhoe Mines announced a reduction in its copper production guidance for the Kamoa‑Kakula project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cut follows a severe flood in 2024 that forced a shutdown of underground mining in May 2025. Management outlined...
IEA Warns Middle East Oil Disruptions Set to Hit Europe in April
The International Energy Agency warned that oil supply disruptions from the Middle East will intensify in April as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, cutting off more than 12 million barrels per day. The loss is projected to be twice March’s...
Phase 2 Exploration Begins at La Union Project, Mexico
Questcorp Mining and Riverside Resources have launched Phase 2 exploration at the La Union Project in Sonora, Mexico, following a successful Phase 1 drill program. Phase 1 uncovered a 30‑metre, 20.2 g/t gold and 226 g/t silver interval at the Union Mine and a 42‑metre,...
Orano CE to Accept Kayelekera Uranium Concentrate
Lotus Resources secured acceptance from Orano Chimie‑Enrichissement (Orano CE) for uranium concentrate produced at its Kayelekera mine in Malawi. The agreement, which requires independent laboratory test results, paves the way for initial shipments in Q2 2026 as the project moves toward full...
InvestorTalk Alert: Ali Haji From American Tungsten Corp. To Host on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM EST
American Tungsten Corp. will host an InvestorTalk with CEO Ali Haji on April 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM EST. The company is advancing the historic IMA Mine in Idaho, recently extending the strike length of high‑grade tungsten‑silver mineralization and completing a...
Subsea7 Bags Chevron Job Offshore Equatorial Guinea
Subsea7 has been awarded a substantial subsea installation contract by Noble Energy, a Chevron affiliate, for the Aseng gas monetisation project offshore Equatorial Guinea. The contract, valued between $150 million and $300 million, covers a single‑well tie‑back that will connect the Aseng...
Net Zero Overlooks Mining Impacts of Renewable Batteries
“But net zero ignores the mining required for batteries and metals for renewables” Let me introduce you to a Life Cycle Analysis.
Hormuz Closure Sparks Recession, Futures Hint Deflation
Hormuz Closure, December Futures Signal Post-Inflation Deflation - The closure of the Strait of Hormuz might have already triggered a global recession, with lose-lose implications for most risk assets and commodities -- particularly crude oil. Rolling to front-month just before...
Gold’s Haven Role Intact Despite Sharp Price Fall
Gold prices dropped about 12% after the Middle East conflict, but Standard Chartered’s global head of commodities research Suki Cooper says the metal’s safe‑haven status remains solid. The decline is attributed to short‑term liquidity pressure rather than a structural shift,...
Gas at $5 vs 5% Bonds: Inflation Signal
Natural Gas $5, T-Bonds 5%: Inflation vs. Deflation - January (Jan27) US natural gas futures and the 30-year Treasury bond on the same scale highlights inflation vs. deflation implications of $5 per million BTU gas and 5% yields. Full report on...
Copper Demand Set to Surge Across Infrastructure, Tech, and Defense
Road Ahead 1. Data Centers, $2.5T Capex. 2. $2T US Power Grid Rebuild - copper, aluminum. 3. Currency Debasement: USA $1.9% Defecit / 6.2% of GDP vs 3% average last 40 years. 4. Re-Build: Gaza, Iran, Ukraine, Israel - copper. 5. Robotics -...
From Waste to Wealth at Mount Sicker
Sasquatch Resources is advancing the Mount Sicker project, a hybrid effort that combines mine rehabilitation with fresh exploration. The site contains over 300,000 tonnes of legacy waste that still hold measurable quantities of gold, zinc, copper and silver. By reprocessing...
Commodities Up 21% YoY in May, Rising Since 2020
at your Easter dinner this weekend, when they tell you that commodities have been surging because of the Iran war, just tell'em they're wrong and commodities have been rising since 2020... in fact, May '24, they reached an unusually quick...
Tamarack Reports High‑Grade Gold Hit, Expands Resource
$FVL.TO $FGOVF @FreegoldVen GS2546 delivered 11.54 g/t Au over 29.5m inside 216.4m @ 2.44 g/t Au (above 1.24 g/t resource grade). Tamarack adds high-grade (up to 236 g/t) expansion. 17.2 Moz Ind + 11.9 Moz Inf. Gold near...
Proterial Ltd. Mulls Entry Into India's Rare‑Earth Magnet Incentive Program
Japan’s Proterial Ltd., owned by a Bain Capital‑led consortium, said it is considering applying for India’s rare‑earth magnet manufacturing incentive. The move could link Japanese capital with New Delhi’s push to cut reliance on Chinese imports and reshape the global...
Adelayde Begins Antimony Production at George Lake South
Adelayde Exploration $ADDY.CA $SPMTF to Commence Operations on the George Lake South Antimony Project in New Brunswick https://t.co/3ACal3CvNE https://t.co/iOiZxnVXyL
Long‑term Stability with China Hinges on Rare Earth Access
Stability and continuity with China will require continued access to rare earths and magnets, for at least a decade and beyond...
Nestlé Launches Project to Improve Human Rights in the Coffee Supply Chain
Nestlé and the International Labour Organization have launched a two‑year initiative to strengthen human‑rights protections in coffee supply chains across Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. The project is funded through Nestlé’s Nescafé Plan 2030, which commits over $1 billion to sustainable coffee...
Three Tankers Load Simultaneously at Saudi Al Muajjiz Terminal
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Very rare sighthing — three large oil tankers loading simultanouesly at the Al Muajjiz terminal (Yanbu south) in the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia (one of the end points of the East-West pipeline). 🛰️📷@CopernicusEU Sentinel-2...
Sandvik to Supply Loaders, Trucks and Drills to Aris Mining for Marmato Gold Expansion
Sandvik Mining has secured a major order from Colombia’s Aris Mining to supply underground loaders, trucks and drilling rigs for the Marmato gold expansion. The deal also bundles a long‑term maintenance contract and opens talks on automation and digital optimisation....
India Resumes Iranian Oil Imports, Undermining Sanctions
After a 7-year hiatus, India is about to import its first Iranian oil. At ~$100 a barrel. Quite the achievement in Washington for the long-term strenght of the economic and financial sanctions regime.
Indonesia Bets on Nickel Levy to Break Its China Habit
Indonesia is preparing a progressive export levy on processed nickel products such as nickel pig iron and ferronickel. The tax starts at about 2% when LME prices sit between $15,000‑$16,000 per ton and can rise to roughly 10% as prices...
Resolute, NMC Sign MoU for Gold Exploration in Guinea
Resolute Mining has entered a strategic memorandum of understanding with Guinea’s Nimba Mining Company to explore gold projects, backed by the Ministry of Mines and Geology. The MoU focuses on evaluating resources and conducting geological studies in the Siguiri Basin,...
CSIR, Eskom, SANEDI, Coaltech Launch HELE CFB Localisation Programme
South Africa’s CSIR, Eskom, SANEDI and Coaltech have launched Phase 1 of a High‑Efficiency Low‑Emission (HELE) circulating fluidised bed (CFB) localisation programme, aligning with the Integrated Resource Plan 2025. The initiative will assess feasibility, design engineering and regulatory pathways for a pilot‑scale...
Ausenco to Carry Out Hillside Copper-Gold Project EPCM
Ausenco has secured the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract to deliver the Hillside copper‑gold project for Rex Minerals in South Australia. The undeveloped deposit contains approximately 1.9 million tonnes of copper and 1.5 million ounces of gold, and the plan...
Case Study: Directional Drilling Explains Methane Drainage Shifts in Polish Deep Coal Mine
A case study at Poland’s Staszic‑Wujek deep coal mine shows that combining directional drilling with geomechanical and ventilation modeling markedly improves early‑stage methane drainage. Long‑reach directional boreholes contributed 70‑100% of captured methane initially, but their share fell to about 30%...
Vizsla Budgets $13.7M for Palmer Program
Vizsla Copper Corp. has secured a $13.7 million (≈ $14 million USD) budget for a 10,000‑meter drill campaign and technical studies at its Palmer VMS project in Southeast Alaska. The project hosts 4.77 million metric tons of indicated resources rich in copper, zinc, silver,...
EPCA to Electrify Cat 988 Wheel Loader for EMJC
EPCA has signed an agreement to convert a Caterpillar 988 wheel loader into a fully electric machine, marking a key milestone for zero‑emissions heavy equipment in Australia. The converted E‑988 will be deployed by EMJC at a large Western Australian...
Fairbanks Antimony Coming Back to Life
Antimony, a heat‑resistant and hardening element, has re‑emerged as a U.S. critical mineral, prompting a fresh look at Alaska’s historic deposits. During World War I the Fairbanks district supplied up to 1,458 tons of crude antimony ore, but production collapsed after the...
Mining’s Problem Isn’t Output, It’s Execution – Workday
South African mining firms are not lacking strategy or demand, but they are struggling with consistent execution. Leaders at a Workday‑TechCentral roundtable highlighted that even in a strong gold and PGM pricing cycle, electricity, water and labour constraints still pressure...
WoodMac Says Iran Conflict Should Prompt North Sea Rethink
Wood Mackenzie argues that the Middle‑East crisis, including Iran, should force the UK to reconsider its ban on new North Sea exploration licences. The firm warns that the UK will depend on US LNG for over 60 % of its gas...
Drills Tap Golden Summit Growth Targets
Freegold Ventures reported new drill results from its Golden Summit project in Alaska, highlighting a 216.4‑meter interval averaging 2.44 g/t gold, including a 1.8‑meter zone at 96.3 g/t within the Cleary Hill zone. Additional high‑grade hits were recorded in the newly explored...
Structural Controls and Mineralization Style of Baryte Deposits in the Azara Area, Central Benue Trough, Nigeria: Implications for Mineral Exploration
Baryte mineralization in Nigeria’s Azara area of the central Benue Trough is hosted primarily in Cretaceous siliciclastic rocks and is tightly linked to a NE‑SW structural corridor that coincides with an anticlinal crest. Integrated surface mapping, satellite‑image processing, airborne radiometric...
JORC Code Update Nears Its End
The Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code, last revised in 2012, is nearing its next release after an almost five‑year overhaul. The March 2026 JORC Update shows the legal review of the draft code and its high‑level Table 1 checklist is...
Maritime AI Developments to Be Showcased at Posidonia 2026
Posidonia 2026, held June 1‑5 in Athens, will spotlight a wave of maritime AI products and services as the sector moves from theory to operational pilots. More than 40 exhibitors are demonstrating AI‑driven predictive maintenance, fuel‑optimisation, routing and compliance tools,...
Guinea’s Simandou to Become Largest Driver of Seaborne Iron-Ore Supply Growth – WoodMac
Wood Mackenzie projects Guinea’s Simandou mine to become the leading driver of seaborne iron‑ore supply growth, targeting about 16 million tonnes of exports in 2026 with a phased ramp‑up thereafter. After two decades of delay, the project entered execution following Guinea’s...
Iranian Missile Hit Oil Tanker in Qatari Waters, Qatar Says
On April 1, 2026, an Iranian cruise missile struck the Aqua 1 oil tanker leased by QatarEnergy in Qatari waters, 17 nautical miles north of the Ras Laffan gas hub. Two of the three missiles were intercepted, and the hit caused only...
Event Voice: Powering the Transition - Why Critical Minerals Are Central to the Next Era
The abrdn Future Minerals Fund focuses on companies involved in critical minerals such as copper, aluminium, rare earths and uranium, which are essential for AI, electrification and renewable energy infrastructure. Rising demand and constrained supply are expected to keep prices...
India's Coal Output Dips, Stockpiles Ready for Surge
India's top coal producer said output fell in March, but that it still has enough stockpiles to meet higher demand 🇮🇳⚠️ Coal consumption in India is now on an upward trajectory on expectations of a hot summer and gas shortages due...
AMLM Acquires Higginsville Project in WA
American Lithium Minerals (AMLM) has acquired the Higginsville Gold Project in Western Australia, encompassing four prospecting licences (P15/6723‑6726) adjacent to the historic Higginsville Mine. The tenements sit on the Greater Eundynie Anticline within the Southern Norseman–Wiluna greenstone belt and near...
US‑aligned Control of Hormuz Signals Bullish Market Outlook
If usa friendly regime takes control of strait of Hormuz it will be very bullish., https://t.co/bpWTMUPjFa
Trillion Energy’s Stake in Giant Black Sea Gas Field up for Sale
Trillion Energy is seeking a buyer for its 49 % working interest in the South Akcakoca Sub‑Basin (SASB) gas field in the southwestern Black Sea, a project operated by Turkey’s state oil company TPAO. The company also secured a new agreement...