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:
Asia's EVolution: Indonesia’s Nickel Powers Global Electric Vehicle Boom but at What Cost to the Country?
Indonesia now provides roughly 40% of the world’s nickel, a critical component for electric‑vehicle batteries. A 2014 export ban and a 2020 full ban forced the country to build a domestic refining sector, which exploded from six plants in 2015 to 79 by the end of 2025, largely financed by Chinese investors. The rapid expansion relies on coal‑fired power, creating severe air and water pollution and reshaping fishing villages into industrial hubs. While the boom fuels global EV growth, it leaves local communities grappling with environmental degradation and social disruption.
Big Oil Flocks to Alaska in Record-Setting Petroleum Lease Sale
The National Petroleum Reserve‑Alaska held its first lease sale in seven years, generating a record $163.7 million in high bids and awarding 187 leases across 1.33 million acres. Major oil companies such as ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and a Repsol‑Shell consortium secured tracts, marking...
ISA Faces Governance Gap as Deep‑Sea Mining Nears First Operations
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) concluded its March 19 meeting without a clear timetable for the long‑awaited mining code, even as the United States pushes ahead with its own deep‑sea mining licences. The stalemate underscores a widening regulatory divide that...
ISA Meeting Ends without Timeline as Deep‑sea Mining Code Stalls
The International Seabed Authority concluded its latest session without a clear deadline for the mining code, despite pressure from member states and industry. The gap leaves the nascent deep‑sea mining sector in regulatory limbo while the United States moves forward...
Gold's Fastest Rally Since 1980 Signals Bull Market
$5,000 Gold Stretched Akin to 1980, 2011 Highs - Highlighting the extreme velocity of gold's rally, the store of value at the end of February reached the greatest premium to its 60-month moving average since 1980 and lowest ever vs. the...
Sanctions Waiver Undermines “Maximum Pressure” On Iran
Why on earth aren't major media outlets asking this obvious question? The Trump administration just issued a sanctions waiver allowing 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently at sea to be sold. Meanwhile, Iran's oil exports have surged before the...
Africa’s Mining Push Gains U.S. Attention as Rare‑Earth Stockpile Falters
The United States, confronting a critical shortfall in its defense rare‑earth stockpile, is reportedly turning to Africa for supplies. African mining ministers say the continent is mobilising $125 bn to expand critical‑minerals processing, aiming to turn raw deposits into jobs and...
Ghana Minority Caucus Blocks Barari DV Lithium Mining Deal Amid Concerns over Sector Influence
Ghana's minority caucus voted en bloc to reject the Barari DV lithium mining agreement, raising alarms over alleged influence by mining magnate Ibrahim Mahama. The decision highlights growing political scrutiny of the country's mineral sector as it seeks to balance...
India Hits 1 Billion Tonne Coal Output Again, Boosts Energy Security
India’s coal ministry announced that the country produced a second consecutive 1 billion‑tonne haul of coal on March 20, 2026, marking a repeat of the 2025 milestone. The surge in output has helped thermal power plants maintain record coal inventories, cushioning the grid...
Vedanta Reuses 85 Million Cubic Metres of Water Across Operations in FY26
Vedanta Ltd reported reusing more than 85 million cubic metres of water across its mining and metals operations in FY26, achieving a 31 percent water‑recycling rate that ranks among the highest globally for water‑intensive sectors. The company’s three‑pillar strategy—recycle, conserve, replenish—underpins its...
JDC Boosts Jinsha Stake, Secures 2029 Molybdenum Plant
China’s JDC raises its Jinsha stake, backing Shapinggou’s 2029 start and future molybdenum processing. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/chinas-jdc-raises-stake-in-major.html
Explosion at Baogang Sparks Rare Earth Supply Concerns
Explosion hits Chinese rare earth producer Baogang, raising uncertainty over safety checks and rare earth supply. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/explosion-hits-chinese-rare-earth.html
Wired for Conflict
Panda Perspectives releases a comprehensive 2026 update on aluminium and copper, noting copper’s intraday peak of $14,527 per tonne and a current level near $12,250, while aluminium has risen 34% YTD to $3,342 per tonne. The rally is driven by...
Geopolitics Stall Greenland
Greenland resources face extraction hurdles as geopolitics rises, while rare earth and molybdenum projects seek financing. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/greenland-resources-face-extraction.html
Barry FitzGerald: Rumble Glitters with More than Gold in a Battered Sector
Gold junior stocks have slumped more than 30% as the sector wrestles with the steepest price retreat in six years, yet the metal still trades about 35% above its 2025 average. Rumble Resources (ASX: RUM) has fallen to a $53 million...
Multi-Method Synergistic Determination of the Development Height of the Water-Conducting Fractured Zone in the 82209 Working Face
Researchers at Lijiayao Coal Mine applied a multi‑method system to pinpoint the water‑conducting fractured zone height above the 82209 near‑horizontal working face. Empirical formulas yielded a broad 56.09‑135 m range, while key‑strata theory estimated 66.9 m. Field boreholes measured 64.52 m and 113.58 m,...
BHP and Freeport-McMoRan File $12.5 Bn Copper Megaprojects in Chile, Reviving Mining Investment
BHP and Freeport‑McMoRan have lodged environmental permit applications for copper projects worth more than $12.5 bn in Chile, the largest combined filing in recent years. The moves, timed with President José Antonio Kast’s deregulation agenda, aim to extend mine lives and...
Canada’s Role in Mitigating Iran‑War Energy Shortage
What can Canada do to help address the global shortage of oil and gas caused by the war in Iran? #canada🇨🇦 #canada #energy
Brazil Rejects US Critical Minerals Deal Amid Trump Tensions
Brazil is now RESISTING a critical minerals agreement with the US. FORGET THE ART OF THE DEAL. TRUMP = MASTERCLASS AT MAKING ENEMIES. https://t.co/jmtqeFKoVb
The Forest Service’s Proposed Rule on Locatable Minerals: Clearer Thresholds, Streamlined Review—What It Means for Idaho and the West
On Feb. 20, 2026 the U.S. Forest Service released a proposed rule that replaces the 1974 subjective “significant disturbance” test with objective, acreage‑based thresholds for locatable‑mineral activities on National Forest lands. The rule creates a new Operating Notice track for...
Iran's Pre‑War Oil Output Peaks, Boosting Condensates for Asia
CHART OF THE DAY: Despite sanctions, ahead of the war, Iran's total oil production had hit a 46-year high. Although most of the attention is on crude, Iran has focused in expanding its output of condensates and natural gas liquids —...
Treasury's “Stranded” Claim Exaggerated; Most Iranian Oil Headed to China
US Treasury says there are 140 million barrels of Iranian oil "stranded" on the water. That's misleading -- if not false. There're about 100 million barrels of Iranian oil on their way to China, and probably another 40 million on...
How the Iran War Reveals the Extent of Fossil Fuel Propaganda
Oil prices are edging toward $100 a barrel for Brent crude as the Iran war disrupts the Strait of Hormuz, pushing national gasoline averages to $3.91 and squeezing low‑income households. Economists warn the ripple effect will raise costs for everything...
Trump's Iran Waiver Releases 140M Barrels, May Cut Prices
🟥TRUMP’S SURPRISE IRAN OIL U-TURN: 30-Day Waiver Unlocks 140M Barrels: ▪️Will IT LOWER OIL PRICES? (ask your company to subscribe) Link: https://t.co/XUVxhDoQuD
We Left Critical Minerals Opportunity on Table, Not China
In the case of critical minerals, China did not take our lunch – we left it on the table #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/uaCC7MtyTC https://t.co/EiINT5rfwB
‘Critical Minerals Corridor’ Seen Linking Mines, Markets – by Frederic Tomesco (Northern Miner – March 20, 2026)
Canadian developer BMI Group has assembled five former industrial sites in Ontario and Quebec into a “Critical Minerals Corridor” aimed at bolstering the North American battery supply chain. The repurposed pulp and paper mills now serve as deployment‑ready hubs equipped...
As the Price of Lithium Tripled, so Did This Billionaire’s Wealth – by Hannah Tattersall (Australian Financial Review – March...
Australian‑born entrepreneur Nick Wakim saw his wealth triple to nearly US$3 billion as lithium prices surged three‑fold, propelling Phoenix Lithium to a US$5.5 billion valuation. The rapid price increase lifted Wakim 80 places on the 2026 Rich List. Despite analysts warning of...
Tudor Drops One Wrangle over BC’s Biggest Gold Project, but Other Hurdles Remain for Seabridge’s KSM
Tudor Gold has withdrawn its appeal against the British Columbia regulator’s decision, removing one legal obstacle to Seabridge Gold’s KSM gold‑copper project. The appeal concerned the Mitchell Treaty Tunnels that would run through Tudor’s claims, potentially restricting access to the...
Trump‑Japan Pact Targets Deep‑sea Rare‑earth Supply
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strengthens U.S.-Japan Alliance for the Benefit of All Americans Under a new Memorandum of Cooperation, the two nations will accelerate joint research and development and industry cooperation on commercially-viable development of deep-sea critical minerals...
A Gas Plant Proposal for Rural Virginia Gets Local Land Use Approval
Fluvanna County’s Board of Supervisors approved a 4‑1 vote for Tenaska’s 1.5‑gigawatt Expedition Generating Station, a natural‑gas plant, granting a special‑use permit, higher smokestack allowances, and restrictive covenants. The deal promises roughly $250 million in tax revenue and includes a $5 million...
US Resin Shippers Look to Tap New Customers Amid Iran War
U.S. resin exporters are seeing a surge in container bookings as the Iran‑Israel conflict disrupts the Middle East’s dominant plastics supply chain. On March 16, Vizion recorded 6,191 daily export bookings, nearly double the 3,500‑4,500 range typical for 2026. The first...
Trump Admin Targets 1 Million Acres of California Public Lands for Drilling, Putting Yosemite’s Backyard at Risk
The Bureau of Land Management, under the Trump administration, has released two plans to open more than one million acres of California public lands to oil and gas drilling and fracking, including areas adjacent to Yosemite, Sequoia, and other national...
"I LOVE HATE": Rick Rule's Playbook and the Case for Gold Miners at the Rock-Bottom Sentiment of 3%!
Gold miners’ Bullish Percent Index plunged to a near‑record 3.7, signaling extreme bearish sentiment. Despite the panic, gold prices hover around $4,500 per ounce and geopolitical tensions remain high. The Federal Reserve has completed its aggressive tightening cycle, removing a...
Deep-Sea Mining Rules Face Delays Despite Urgent Push
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has yet to finalize its mining code, leaving deep‑sea mining without a binding international regulatory framework. ISA Secretary‑General Leticia Carvalho urged completion by year‑end, but the March 19 meeting adjourned without a clear timeline. Meanwhile, the...
Boliden Stops Production at Garpenberg Mine
A rockfall at depth 1,100 m in Boliden’s Garpenberg mine on March 14 triggered a pressure wave that injured six workers, all now discharged. The incident prompted evacuation and halted production at the concentrator on March 15. Garpenberg, Sweden’s oldest operating mine, produces...
Scottie Resources– Final 2025 Drill Results, Planning A Fully-Funded 50,000 Metre 2026 Drill Program
Scottie Resources Corp. released the final results of its 2025 drill campaign at the Blueberry Contact Zone, part of the Scottie Gold Mine Project in British Columbia's Golden Triangle. The company announced a fully‑funded 50,000‑metre drill program for 2026, aimed...
DEF Pump Prices, so Far, Hold Steady Despite Middle East Turmoil
Diesel retail prices jumped to $5.18 per gallon, up sharply from $3.81, while the cost of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) has remained flat around $4.30‑$4.60 per gallon. The raw material for DEF—urea—saw its benchmark price surge from $482.50 to $712.50...
Pirate Gold Drilling Crippleback Lake Target at Treasure Island Project, Newfoundland
Pirate Gold Corp has begun drilling at the Crippleback Lake target within its 78,600‑hectare Treasure Island Project in central Newfoundland, following high‑grade results at the Moosehead zone. The Crippleback area is characterized by intense alteration and surface gold‑copper‑molybdenum mineralization, suggesting...
U.S. Signs First Subnational Critical Minerals Pact with Brazil's Goiás State
The United States and Brazil’s Goiás state signed a memorandum of understanding to explore and locally process critical minerals, marking Washington’s first direct mining pact with a Brazilian subnational government. The deal aims to secure lithium, niobium and rare‑earth supplies...
Fitzroy Shares Advance on Chilean Copper Drilling Results
Fitzroy Minerals saw its TSXV‑listed shares jump 6.6% to C$0.405 after releasing new drilling data from its Buen Retiro copper project in northern Chile. Infill hole BRT‑DDH045 returned 384 metres grading 0.22% copper, including a higher‑grade 94‑metre interval at 0.33%...
Boxer Won't Reach Gulf Until Mid‑April, Oil Delay
Assuming the USS Boxer is heading to the Middle East, and considering that she only left San Diego two days ago, she won't be near the Persian Gulf until mid-April. If the reinforcements are intended to reopen the Strait of...
US Loans 45M Barrels, Far Below 86M Offer
US loans ~45 millions barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve — significantly fewer barrels than the 86 million the government offered as part of the SPR “exchange” first tranche.
Fork Deposit Could Become Next Mining Front at Red Lake’s Madsen Mine – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business –...
West Red Lake Gold Mines is initiating early design work for the Fork deposit, an untapped high‑grade gold zone near its Madsen underground mine in Red Lake. Recent infill drilling released encouraging grades and vein continuity, prompting the engineering team to...
World May Have Reached Peak Oil This Spring
Oddly enough, depending on how you measure February/March, the world may have just hit peak oil
MP Materials Spotlighted on 60 Minutes Sunday
on $MP MP Materials Mountain Pass rare earth mine and processing facility will be featured on 60 minutes this Sunday. https://t.co/fMqakwaDvz preview video of MP CEO James Litinsky https://t.co/9Q7tyfTTw5
Australian Mining Billionaire Sues Canada for $2 Billion – by Andrew Nikiforuk (The Tyee – March 20, 2026)
Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s Northback Holdings has filed a $2 billion claim against the Canadian government under the CPTPP’s investor‑state dispute settlement mechanism. The claim arises from Canada’s refusal to approve the Grassy Mountain metallurgical‑coal project, which Rinehart says violates...
Cyclone Forces Mine Closures as Winds Lash North Australia
Tropical Cyclone Narelle hit northern Queensland with 195 km/h winds, forcing Rio Tinto to temporarily close its Amrun and Andoom bauxite mines, which together produce about 30 million tonnes annually. South32 also shut the world’s largest manganese mine on Groote Eylandt...
Shipping’s Biofuel Gamble Could Deepen Africa’s Land Squeeze and Food Insecurity (Commentary)
The commentary warns that adopting crop‑based biofuels to decarbonise shipping could exacerbate Africa’s land pressure and food insecurity. Shipping accounts for roughly 300 million tons of fuel annually and 3 % of global emissions, so even modest biofuel uptake would demand large...
SANY Signs Major Electrified Fleet Deal with Holcim Including 20 Autonomous Mining Trucks
SANY Group and Holcim have signed a Letter of Intent worth 100 million CHF to roll out electrified construction equipment over the next five years. The deal includes delivery of 100 electric units and deployment of 20 autonomous mining trucks across...
Mkango Remains Confident of Songwe, Puławy Assets’ Positive Economic, Social Impact
Mkango Resources released an updated definitive feasibility study for its Songwe Hill rare‑earth mine in Malawi and a prefeasibility study for a rare‑earth separation plant in Puławy, Poland. The Songwe project forecasts 5,954 t/y of total rare‑earth oxides over an 18‑year...