Blog•Mar 1, 2026
The Minerals of War: Criticality in an Age of AI and Artillery
The article expands the "mineral imperative" concept, arguing that global demand for metals and critical minerals must roughly double by 2050 to sustain development, decarbonisation, digitalisation and now defence. While population growth, urbanisation, electrification and AI have already driven material intensity, modern great‑power conflict adds a fifth, under‑estimated driver. Weapons such as missiles, drones and advanced combat systems consume large quantities of copper, aluminium, rare‑earth magnets, tungsten, tantalum and other specialty metals. Ignoring the defence‑related mineral load risks severe supply gaps for both civilian and military high‑tech programmes.
By Amanda’s Substack (The Mineral Imperative / Critical Minerals Hub)
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
Gold to Surge After U.S. Strike on Iran
A U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran broke over the weekend, prompting immediate reactions in precious‑metal markets. Because traditional markets are closed, the first price signal came from crypto‑linked gold tokens, with Tether Gold jumping 1.57% to about $5,341 per...
By The Bubble Bubble Report
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
Worker Dies in an Accident at Chinese Owned Prospect Lithium, Body Spends Almost 12 Hours at Scene
A worker died in an early‑morning incident at Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe's processing plant, specifically in the conveyor‑belt section. Police arrived later in the afternoon and the body remained on site for almost twelve hours before being released to relatives at...
By Mining Zimbabwe – Analysis & Features
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
MP's "Strong" Quarter: Accelerated Production, Long-Term Agreements With Major Tech Companies
MP Materials posted a fourth‑quarter revenue of $52.7 million and net income of $9.4 million, buoyed by a U.S. Department of War price‑floor agreement. The company recorded a 12% year‑over‑year increase in rare‑earth oxide concentrate, producing a record 50,692 metric tons, and more...
By ZeroHedge – Markets
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
National and International Organisations Express Concern over Another Ruling Against Environmental Defenders Regarding the Curipamba–El Domo Mining Project, Las Naves,...
National and international NGOs condemned the Quevedo Criminal Court's decision to imprison three environmental defenders for four years and impose a fine of fifteen basic salaries. The rulings are part of a broader wave of criminalisation targeting 32 activists opposing...
By MiningWatch Canada – Blog/Medium
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
Better Blasting: Eureka Mine and AECI Mining Partner to Drive Downstream Efficiencies
Eureka Mine in Zimbabwe has replaced legacy shock‑tube blasting with AECI’s IntelliShot® electronic initiation system, giving engineers millisecond‑accurate control over detonations. The upgrade enabled blast sizes to jump from 30,000 to 110,000 bcm and cut monthly blast frequency from ten...
By Mining Zimbabwe – Analysis & Features
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Delfin LNG Pipeline Explosion Underscores Dangers of Fossil Fuel Infrastructure, Casts Doubt on Project Viability
On February 3, a 28‑mile gas pipeline belonging to the Delfin LNG project exploded near Holly Beach, Louisiana, creating an 80‑foot fire and injuring an operator who has filed a $1 million lawsuit. The blast occurred on a 50‑year‑old pipeline repurposed...
By Earthworks – EARTHblog
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
AMSZ to Conduct Q1 Technical Visit at Pickstone Peerless Mine
The Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) will hold its first‑quarter technical visit at the Dallaglio Pickstone Peerless Mine on 27 March 2026. The eight‑hour event offers members hands‑on exposure to one of Zimbabwe’s premier gold producers and awards five CPD...
By Mining Zimbabwe – Analysis & Features
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Construction Begins on Berens River Bridge, a Key Link for Frontier Lithium’s PAK Project – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario...
Construction of the Berens River bridge has begun in northwestern Ontario, with M.D. Steele Construction appointed as the primary contractor. The bridge will provide a permanent road crossing for Frontier Lithium’s PAK open‑pit mine, located 175 km north of Red Lake. The...
By Republic of Mining
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Proposed Ring of Fire Mine in Northern Ontario Clears Another Regulatory Hurdle – by Liam Casey (Canadian Press – February...
Wyloo’s Eagle’s Nest project in Ontario’s Ring of Fire cleared a key regulatory step after the federal government decided not to subject it to a formal impact assessment. The move comes despite protests from some First Nations, who remain divided...
By Republic of Mining
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Mexican Security Risks Highlighted in New Reports – by Frédéric Tomesco (Mining.com – February 25, 2026)
TD Cowen highlighted growing security concerns in Mexico’s mining sector after a January abduction and killings of ten Vizsla Silver employees. Mexico contributes roughly 28% of global mine‑site silver, plus 4% of gold and 3% of copper, making the region strategically vital....
By Republic of Mining
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
It May Be a Long Wait for the Next Big Rally in Nickel Prices – by Brian Donovan (Globe and...
Nickel prices began climbing in mid‑December 2025 as Indonesia signaled tighter supply, nudging the benchmark above US$17,000 per tonne. The market’s earlier volatility – a US$100,000‑per‑tonne spike in March 2022 that forced an LME trading halt – contrasts with the...
By Republic of Mining
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Illegal Gold Mining Surges Into New Parts of Peru’s Amazon, Threatening Rivers and Lives – by Steven Grattan (Associated Press...
Illegal gold mining is expanding from the southern Madre de Dios basin into Peru’s northern Amazon regions of Loreto and Ucayali, following remote river corridors. The surge accelerates deforestation, mercury contamination of waterways, and exposes Indigenous communities to violence and organized...
By Republic of Mining
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Opinion: The Hidden Costs of ‘100 per Cent Renewable’ – by Dave McGruer and Bryan Leyland (Financial Post – February...
Microsoft announced it now sources 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, a headline touted as a climate milestone. The article contends that such claims mask the physical reality that intermittent wind and solar require dispatchable backup generation to keep...
By Republic of Mining
Blog•Feb 26, 2026
Shadow Partners: China’s Collaboration with Terrorist Groups to Plunder Venezuela’s Strategic Minerals (Dialogo Americas – February 24, 2026)
Investigative reporting reveals that Chinese firms are profiting from the illicit extraction of Venezuela’s “black sands” – coltan, niobium and tin – by partnering with armed groups. The minerals travel via river and land routes into Colombia, where fraudulent paperwork...
By Republic of Mining