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:
Dalaroo Locks in 2.5km Gold Drill Target in West Africa
Dalaroo Metals has defined a 2.5‑kilometre gold drill target at the Goldridge prospect within its Bondoukou project in northeastern Côte d’Ivoire. The target, up to 400 metres wide, is supported by systematic mapping, geochemistry, aeromagnetic data and artisanal mining evidence, and includes surface rock‑chip assays as high as 17.95 g/t gold. It sits inside a broader 9.5‑kilometre anomalous corridor and is adjacent to Endeavour Mining’s large Tanda‑Iguela district. Dalaroo now holds an 80 % interest and is preparing for extensional drilling.
Critical Metals Secures Saudi Rare Earth Plant with Defense Backing
Critical Metals plans a Saudi rare earth facility backed by Tanbreez offtake and US defense demand. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/critical-metals-saudi-rare-earth.html
Peru to Open 37,000 Hectares to Attract Mining Exploration Investment
Peru's Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (INGEMMET) will release roughly 37,000 hectares of land that were under temporary restriction, aiming to boost early‑stage mining exploration. The zones span several regions and are believed to contain copper, gold, silver, lead and...
Auric Smashes Budget with Golden Finish at WA Mine
Auric Mining’s Munda starter pit delivered 8,886 ounces of gold, beating its 6,100‑ounce budget by 46%. The two‑campaign operation achieved a 2.46 g/t average head grade—37% above the forecast—and an 89.5% mill recovery, surpassing expectations. A toll‑treating deal with Black Cat’s...
Infini Locks in Key Contractors for Canadian Uranium Push
Infini Resources has secured Rodren Drilling and Archer Cathro & Associates to launch its first diamond‑drilling campaign at the Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake uranium projects in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin. The program targets a minimum 2,500‑metre drill run to test...
Dateline Buys Second Rig for US Gold-Rare Earths Drilling Blitz
Dateline Resources has purchased a second track‑mounted diamond drill rig for its Colosseum project in California’s Walker Lane Trend, bringing the total on‑site rigs to three. The new rig can drill to 1,200 metres and is already operational, enabling owner‑operated drilling...
Saudi Crude Loadings Persist Despite Red Sea Attack Rumors
Lots of chatter in the oil market about whether a Saudi refinery in the Red Sea was attacked or not. One thing, however, appears clear: crude loadings at Yanbu and Al Muajjiz continue as normal, with 4 tankers getting their...
Himachal Pradesh Raises Car Entry Toll to Rs 170, Mining Revenue Joins Fiscal Push
The Himachal Pradesh government has increased the entry fee for private cars, jeeps and vans from Rs 70 to Rs 170 effective April 1, 2026. The hike is part of a wider fiscal package that also tightens toll collection, excise reforms and leverages...
Zim Government Urged to Support Women Miners in Makaha
Over 30 women’s mining syndicates in Makaha have been allocated blocks but remain non‑productive, prompting Senator Appolinia Munzverengwi to demand technical assistance from the Ministry of Mines. The government has announced a plan to establish mining offices in every district...
Zimbabwe’s New Energy Laws Set to Transform Mining Power Supply
Zimbabwe’s cabinet approved a comprehensive energy governance framework that formalises captive power generation for mines through the Own‑Consumption Licensing Regulations 2026. The rules give legal certainty, set quality standards for solar installations, and require large consumers to monitor and report...
Gold Falls to Monthly Low as Inflation Pressures and Policy Uncertainty Rattle Investors
Gold fell below the $5,000‑per‑ounce threshold, reaching $4,836, its lowest level since mid‑February, as inflation worries dampened expectations of U.S. rate cuts. Spot gold slipped 3 % while silver also dropped about 3 %, reflecting broader risk aversion. Rising energy costs tied...
Turner Mining Group Begins Long Term Phosphate Mine Services and Ore Haul Contract with Bayer
Turner Mining Group has taken over as the sole mining contractor for Bayer’s P4 Production phosphate operations in Soda Springs, Idaho, beginning January 5, 2026. The company deployed a purpose‑built Caterpillar fleet—including the industry’s first front‑shovel Cat 6020, eight Cat...
Terrific Tethyan: Why ASX Explorers Are Flocking to Eastern Europe’s Mineral Hotspot
The Tethyan Belt, stretching across 34 countries, hosts an estimated 555 million ounces of gold and 293 million tonnes of copper, yet its western segment in Eastern Europe remains markedly underexplored. Over the past two decades the belt attracted $9.8 billion...
Rome Resources Reports High-Grade Tin Results at Kalayi Prospect in DRC
Rome Resources announced that its ongoing drilling program at the Kalayi prospect in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed near‑surface high‑grade tin mineralisation. The campaign has recovered roughly 2,700 m of core and produced intercepts such as 1 m grading...
Company that Wants to Mine Ocean Floor Says It May Have 'Overstated' Its Growth Potential
Deep Sea Minerals Corp., a Vancouver‑based firm aiming to mine the ocean floor, admitted its investor materials may have overstated growth potential and launched a review after the British Columbia Securities Commission raised concerns. The company clarified it holds no...
John Slaven of MineSense on Turning Every Shovel Into a Data Engine
At PDAC 2026, MineSense CEO John Slaven unveiled a sensor system that mounts on mining shovels to deliver instant copper grade readings as material is loaded onto trucks. The real‑time ore intelligence lets operators immediately route ore to the mill or...
DRC Moves to Approve Chemaf Sale to US Firm Virtus Minerals
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is poised to approve the sale of mining firm Chemaf to U.S.-based Virtus Minerals. Under the deal, Virtus will pay $30 million for equity and commit roughly $750 million to revive the stalled Mutoshi copper‑cobalt project,...
Gravel Mining Alters Natural Physical Structure of Rivers
A new study in Cell Reports Sustainability examines gravel mining in Bangladesh’s Lubha River, revealing extensive geomorphological alteration and socio‑economic disruption. Between 2012 and 2021, 4.94 million tonnes of gravel were extracted, with active‑channel mining accounting for 82% of the total....
More Gold Mining Approvals Have Been Secured by West Wits
West Wits Mining announced that additional gold‑mining permits have been granted for its Qala Shallows project near Johannesburg, reinforcing a 17‑year, $1.15 billion contribution to South Africa’s economy. The company highlighted a clear growth plan, targeting 70,000 ounces of gold per...
Royal Road Eyes Underground Mine as Colombia Drilling Resumes
Royal Road Minerals reported that drilling at its Guintar‑Aleman‑Margaritas project in Colombia intersected significant gold‑silver‑copper mineralization, suggesting the deposit could support a bulk‑tonnage underground mine. Hole GUI‑DD‑028 returned 76 metres grading 2.1 g/t gold, 0.4% copper and 7.9 g/t silver, while other...
Mariana Says Copper One Set to Be World Pioneer Autonomy-First Mine and Refinery
Mariana Minerals announced that its Copper One site in Utah will become the world’s first autonomy‑first copper mine and refinery. The company will roll out its MarianaOS platform—combining MineOS, PlantOS and CapitalProjectOS—to automate mining, processing and capital project execution, targeting...
Can Jewelry Ever Be Truly Conflict-Free?
The episode explores whether jewelry can ever be truly conflict‑free, focusing on the opaque supply chains of gold and gemstones and the human rights abuses they can entail. It highlights the work of London‑based jeweller Pippa Small, who partners with...
Congo Export Curbs to Keep Cobalt Scarce Till 2030
The Democratic Republic of Congo, responsible for over 70% of global cobalt, imposed an export ban in February 2025 and later introduced strict quotas, slashing refined output by roughly 20%. The curbs created an 82,000‑ton deficit in 2025 and drove...
Indonesia Awards Nine Oil, Gas Blocks
Indonesia’s Energy Ministry announced the award of nine oil and gas blocks, committing roughly $85 million in investment. The blocks, located in West Papua, Aceh, East Java and South Sulawesi, include the Bintuni and Drawa fields with combined gas resources exceeding...
Op-Ed: Copper Rally Masks Smelting Power Shift
Copper prices are hovering near historic highs, driven by electrification, AI‑related demand and limited new mine supply. However, treatment and refining charges for smelters have collapsed from about $80 per tonne in 2024 to near‑zero levels, with spot terms expected...
Titan Minerals Grows Dynasty Gold Project Resource to 3.9 Moz Gold and 26.1 Moz Silver
Titan Minerals announced a 25% increase in gold and 19% increase in silver resources at its 100%-owned Dynasty Gold Project in southern Ecuador. The updated Mineral Resource Estimate now totals 3.9 million ounces of gold and 26.1 million ounces of...
High-Priority Drill Targets Identified at Star Range Silver-Antimony Project in Utah
Diablo Resources has identified high‑priority drill targets at its 100 % owned Star Range Silver‑Antimony Project in Utah after completing a 9‑km induced‑polarisation (IP) survey at the North Star prospect. The survey revealed chargeability and conductivity anomalies that line up with...
Northern Cape Sun Providing 240 MW of Power to Platinum, Diamond, Iron-Ore Mines
South Africa’s Mooi Plaats solar photovoltaic project has entered commercial operation, delivering 240 MW of renewable electricity to Anglo‑American‑owned platinum, diamond and iron‑ore mines. The venture is part of Envusa Energy, a joint Anglo American‑EDF partnership, and marks the first of...
Troilus, Boliden Sign MoU for Copper-Gold Concentrate Supply
Troilus Mining has signed a long‑term memorandum of understanding with Boliden Commercial to purchase copper‑gold concentrate from its north‑central Québec project. The feasibility study released in May 2024 projects the mine will generate roughly 135.4 million pounds of copper equivalent each...
Boliden Begins Inspections at Garpenberg
Swedish miner Boliden has begun initial inspections at its Garpenberg underground mine after a deep‑rock fall caused increased seismic activity. The company said production will resume gradually, but the exact timing of a full ramp‑up remains uncertain. Inspections focus on...
BCOM Nears Key Resistance, Mirrors 2008 Surge
Peak Inklings: $120 Crude, $6 Copper, $5 Corn, $7 Natural Gas - Up almost 25% in 2026 to March 17, the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return (BCOM) is showing its diversification attributes. Will autocorrelation be avoided this time? In 2008,...
US Abundance Could Cap 2026 Corn at $5, Crude at $120
$5 Corn May Mark a 2026 Peak Alongside $120 Crude - The December corn future (Dec26) stretch to almost $4.99 a bushel around the onset of the Iran war on March 9 may have peak inklings akin to Dec22's $7.66...
Offshore Vietnam: Energy Imports Rise as Domestic Production Falls
Vietnam’s government forecast shows domestic crude production falling to 5.8‑8.0 million metric tons annually between 2026 and 2030, down from an eight‑year average of 8.6 Mt. Imports already rose 5.3% last year to 14.2 Mt, with roughly 80% sourced from Kuwait, now constrained...
US Supply Surge Could Pull WTI Back to $53
What Stops WTI Crude From Reverting Toward $53? The December WTI crude oil future (Dec26), which becomes front-month just before the midterms, was at roughly $76 a barrel on March 17 and may revert toward $53. Before the closing of the...
Natural Gas Likely to Stabilize Around $3‑$5
Natural Gas $3 or $5 Near Year-End? Risks Appear to Lean Lower - The second consecutive colder-than-normal winter pushed the front US natural gas future to a high of $7.83 per MMBtus in January, and the price near $3 on...
New Almalyk Mining Copper Plant Begins Work with 60 Million Tonne Capacity
Uzbekistan has launched a new copper processing plant at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, adding 60 million tonnes of annual ore‑processing capacity. The facility is slated to produce up to 900,000 tonnes of copper concentrate, potentially moving Almalyk into the global...
McEwen Copper Targets $300M IPO for Argentina Project
McEwen Copper $MUX plans $300M IPO to finance Argentina project, executive says 📈📈https://t.co/fhxIiLErgw via @KitcoNewsNOW
Critical One Energy Hosts Live Webinar on Phase I Drilling
Critical One Energy $CRTL.CA $MMTLF Announces Live Investor Webinar on Howells Lake Phase I Drill Program and Grants Stock Options by @newsfile https://t.co/f2LDachxvT
Guardian Metal Resources (GMTL) IPO Deck
Guardian Metal Resources (GMTL) filed an IPO deck outlining its strategy to explore and develop tungsten and polymetallic critical‑mineral projects in Nevada. The company positions tungsten as essential to U.S. national and economic security, leveraging recent policy focus on domestic...
Oil Firms Will Weigh Prices Before Ramping Output
Oil companies going to make reasoned judgements about prices before boosting production a ton
WestwardGold Confirms System After 7,000m
Markets are drifting. Gold and silver too. Fed noise. What matters more: @WestwardGold just wrapped 7,000+ meters at Toiyabe Hills and confirmed the system. Now they’re chasing the sweeter zones. JV dives in — plus we included a site visit clip: https://t.co/Pn3csAb89P...
Strait of Hormuz Is Chokepoint for Sulphuric Acid and Critical Metal Processing
The Strait of Hormuz channels about 50% of the world’s sulphur, a key feedstock for sulphuric acid used in nickel, copper and cobalt processing. Indonesia, which produces over half of global nickel, imports roughly 75% of its sulphur from the...
Gold Miners Near Support; Trendline Break Signals End
Miners $GDXJ vs Gold $GLD. Very close to support. Interestingly, only 1 of the last 5 corrections even reached the trendline. The end may be nigh. https://t.co/oK6drb2TpF
Crude Stocks Rise, Distillate Levels Near Critical
🎯EIA: US commercial crude inventories increased by 6.2 mb to 449.3mb. Watch distillate inventories as they might decline to critical levels.
Southern Africa: SADC and Unodc Convene Regional Workshop to Tackle Mineral Crimes
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) convened a regional workshop in Gaborone to address rising mineral crimes targeting the bloc's critical mineral deposits. Law‑enforcement, regulatory agencies, and international partners, including...
BHP's New CEO Prioritizes Americas for Mining Growth
BHP's newly appointed CEO says to focus on Americas in new age for mining https://t.co/ibNBZswIkV
Iran Claims US‑Israeli Strikes Target South Pars Gas Field
Iran said US and Israeli airstrikes hit its giant South Pars natural gas field and associated infrastructure, according to state television. Petrochemical facilities in nearby Asaluyeh also came under attack, it added.
Gulf States Seek to Neutralize Iran After strikesGulf States Seek to Neutral
Battered by Iranian strikes and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.A.E. and some fellow Gulf states now want the regime to be neutered, if not dismantled, once the conflict ends https://t.co/u1v454vp6D
Core Lithium Secures $300M to Revive Finniss Mine
Shuttered lithium mine could be switched on in six months as Core Lithium pools $300m for Finniss restart https://t.co/6aEBlvjAoE
Energy Prices High, yet Far Below 2022 War Spikes
Energy prices in perspective Oil price currently ~$100/barrel - but well under price in 2022-23 when Russia invaded Ukraine Coal price also up bigly ~$130/ton - but also not as bigly as the insane 2022-23 price in Russian war on Ukraine (price down...