US Mineral Supply Chains Remain Exposed to China Chokehold: USGS Report
The U.S. Geological Survey’s 2026 mineral commodities summary shows the United States now imports 100% of 16 of the 90 non‑fuel minerals it tracks, up from 15 a year earlier, and relies on foreign sources for more than half of its consumption of 54 minerals. China remains the dominant supplier for many critical minerals, providing roughly half of arsenic and graphite imports and about 70% of rare‑earth shipments. The report arrives as Washington rolls out a $12 billion critical‑minerals stockpile and seeks to forge an allied trade bloc to reduce China dependence. Industry leaders warn that permitting delays—averaging 29 years to bring a mine online—threaten the pace of domestic supply‑chain diversification.
Heliostar Pours First Gold From San Agustin Mine
Heliostar Metals announced the first gold pour from its newly restarted San Agustin mine in Durango, marking its second operating asset after La Colorada. The open‑pit mine is projected to deliver roughly 45,000 ounces of gold from existing reserves, prompting...
DPM Adds 20% More Gold-Silver to Extend Bulgaria Mine
DPM Metals announced a 20% increase in measured and indicated resources at its Chelopech gold‑copper mine, boosting total reserves to 1.6 million ounces of gold and 6.23 million ounces of silver. The update extends the mine’s projected life to ten years, up...
How Rio–Glencore Talks Fell Apart
Former Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg pursued a $260 billion merger with Rio Tinto that could have reshaped the mining sector. Talks collapsed within 24 hours after Rio announced it would not pursue a deal that failed to deliver sufficient shareholder value....
