Indonesia Advances Export Control Plan Despite Uncertainty
Indonesia is moving forward with a plan to centralize exports of its key commodities, requiring producers to submit documentation to the newly created state‑owned firm PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia starting June 1. The move targets coal, palm oil and ferro‑alloy shipments and was announced by Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto. By consolidating export licensing, Jakarta aims to tighten oversight and capture a larger share of revenue. The policy introduces regulatory uncertainty for domestic producers and downstream buyers.
Chile Copper Output Drops 13.8% in April as Lower Ore Grades Hit Major Mines
Chile’s copper production fell 13.8% year‑on‑year in April, dropping to 399,954 metric tons from 464,056 tons a year earlier. The National Statistics Institute attributed the decline to a high comparative base and, more importantly, lower ore grades at major mines...
DRC Expands List of Strategic Minerals to Include Lithium, Uranium and Tungsten
The Democratic Republic of Congo approved a decree expanding its strategic mineral list to include tantalum, niobium, tungsten, lithium, uranium and rare earth elements. The change updates the 2018 decree that named cobalt, germanium and coltan as strategic. Minister of...
America’s LNG Boom Is Real — But China Is Planning Beyond It
The Iran‑Israel strikes that shut roughly 20% of global LNG flow have sparked a sharp surge in U.S. gas prices and exports. In April, U.S. LNG shipments to Asia jumped about 25%, backed by $100 billion of private investment aimed at...
Lobito Atlantic Railway Expands Mineral Logistics with Major Manganese Shipment
Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) successfully unloaded about 14,000 tons of manganese at the Port of Lobito Mining Terminal, demonstrating its expanding mineral logistics capability. The operation required coordinated effort among multiple teams and strict safety protocols from vessel receipt to cargo...
Trump's Rare Earths Champions Were Supposed To Fight China. Instead, They're Fighting Each Other
The Trump-era rare‑earth strategy aimed to cut China reliance by fostering a domestic supply chain, but the two leading beneficiaries, MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, are now locked in a lawsuit over alleged theft of magnet technology. MP Materials,...
Chasing Billions: Indonesia’s Commodity Export Crackdown Sows Confusion
Indonesia announced a sweeping export control regime that channels sales of coal, palm oil and ferro‑alloys through a new state‑owned entity, Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI). Exporters from countries with free‑trade agreements, including the United States, may retain only 30% of...
Glencore, Gentile Back Historical Irish Region Project Sporting 3.3% Zinc, 10% Lead
Group Eleven Resources, backed by Glencore and investor Michael Gentile, announced new drilling results from its Ballywire discovery at the PG West project in Ireland. Hole 26‑3552‑57 intersected 62.5 m of 2.9% zinc and 2.7% lead, including an 11.8 m core of...
Copper Prices Must Rise as Supply Crunch Looms: Giustra
Copper prices have surged to a record $6.65 per pound, up roughly 40% in the past year, as analysts warn of an imminent supply crunch. Frank Giustra, a veteran mining financier, says the market must see higher prices to spur...
Elements That Power Our World Are Alarmingly Elusive. Scientists Have a Treasure Map to Lead Us Right to Them.
Rare earth elements (REEs), essential for smartphones, electric‑vehicle motors and green‑energy technologies, are currently sourced almost entirely from Chinese mines, creating a strategic supply risk. A research team led by Cambridge geologist Emilie Bowman has created a global “treasure map”...
Correction to European Aluminium PFA Prices Published in Error on May 22
Fastmarkets corrected a pricing error in its European primary foundry aluminium (PFA) premiums that were initially published on May 22. The German and Eastern Europe ingot premiums were mistakenly listed at $1,000‑$1,100 per tonne; the revised figures are $950‑$1,050 per tonne...
Petra Diamonds Sidelines Finsch Mine, Cuts Jobs
Petra Diamonds has placed its Finsch mine into business rescue and begun job cuts across its South African operations as diamond prices for stones under two carats plunge. The mine, which contributed 34% of fiscal 2025 revenue, saw average realized...
KoBold Metals Outlines Ambition to Position DRC as Global Lithium Powerhouse
KoBold Metals’ Congolese arm announced a data‑driven push to develop the Manono lithium project, positioning the Democratic Republic of Congo as a future global lithium hub. Managing Director Benjamin Katabuka highlighted the use of advanced analytics, machine learning and economic...
Power Metallic Raising $30 Million From Upsized Financing
Power Metallic Mines Inc. has upsized its private placement to raise $30 million, up from the previously targeted $25 million. The offering will sell up to 24 million shares at $1.25 each, with an underwriter option for an additional 2.4 million shares that could...
The Race for Madagascar Has Already Started
Madagascar’s October 2025 coup and subsequent power reshuffle have thrust the island into a geopolitical spotlight. The nation sits on sizable deposits of nickel, cobalt, graphite and other critical minerals essential for modern technologies. Russia has deepened ties, providing weapons, training...