The Mining Insider

Episoade

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  Cozamin Sold for $385M, Tungsten's European Comeback, and Ramelius Targets 610,000 Gold Ounces 21.09.2026 11min

  Capstone Copper sells its Cozamin polymetallic mine in Mexico to Luca Mining for up to $385 million, with copper-price-linked contingent payments tied to 2027-2029 LME prices. Almonty Industries and Sandvik's WBH sign a take-or-pay tungsten deal sourced from mine tailings in Spain — the first commercial Western tailings-to-tungsten deal, with US defense procurement rules tightening in January 2027. Ramelius Resources upgrades its FY30 gold target to 560-610koz and guides FY27 at 205-225koz with A$480-570M in growth capex. And BHP renews its five-year decarbonisation MoU with China Baowu.
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  China's Rare Earth Grab, Gallium and Germanium's Stubborn Supply Gap, and Barrick's Strike Countdown 20.09.2026 9min

  State-owned China Rare Earth Group is in talks to acquire Shenghe Resources, which holds a stake in US rare earth producer MP Materials — a deal that would deepen Beijing's grip on a sector already used as a trade weapon. Three years after China restricted gallium and germanium exports, prices are still nine to ten times higher than pre-curb levels and ex-China supply covers less than 5% of demand. The EU imposed provisional safeguards on electrical steel imports, setting minimum prices of €2,800-€3,400 per tonne effective September 25. And Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto strike deadline in Mali is eight days away with no resolution in sight.
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  Barrick Mali on Strike Watch, Copper's Nine-Year Supply Crunch, and Venezuela's Gold Deal 19.09.2026 11min

  Multiple unions at Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto complex in Mali have filed strike notices targeting September 28 — covering mine workers, catering staff, and Mali's own mining regulator. A new Sprott report confirms copper mine supply is heading for its first annual decline since 2017, with Chile down 9.4% and 600,000 tonnes lost from Grasberg and Kamoa-Kakula. The US DFC approved $414 million for Global Atomic's Dasa uranium project in Niger. Venezuela and its opposition are nearing a deal to transfer $4 billion in gold from the Bank of England to New York. And silver outpaced gold four to one for the week, closing at $66.35.
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  Iran and the US Strike a Deal, Hormuz Reopens Friday, Kazakhstan's Pipeline Hit, and Fujimori's Mining Gamble 19.07.2026 9min

  The United States and Iran announced a ceasefire agreement late Sunday, with the Strait of Hormuz set to reopen Friday. Within hours, drones struck the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's Black Sea terminal at Novorossiysk, halting oil loadings from a route that handles eighty percent of Kazakhstan's crude exports. In Peru, president-elect Keiko Fujimori takes office July 28 with sixty-four billion dollars in mining investments and two hundred social conflicts on record. And First Quantum is reportedly exploring a stake sale in Argentina's Taca Taca copper project, with Rio Tinto named as a preliminary potential buyer.
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  Congo Claws Back the Cobalt, Mojtaba in Hiding, Vedanta's American Copper Play, and South32's Electric Fleet 05.07.2026 10min

  The DRC government confirms it has clawed back unused H1 2026 cobalt export quotas after the ARECOMS customs platform blockage prevented producers from registering shipments — putting $1.1 billion in allocations at risk for CMOC, Glencore, Eurasian Resources Group, and Huayou Cobalt. Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is absent from his father's state funeral amid Israeli assassination fears, deepening succession uncertainty ahead of resumed US-Iran talks after July 9. Vedanta launches CopperTech Metals Inc., a US-domiciled company to own and operate Konkola Copper Mines in Zambia for American copper security. And South32 places Sandvik's largest-ever battery-electric vehicle order for its Hermosa critical minerals project in Arizona.
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  Hormuz Frozen for Khamenei's Funeral, Canada Bets on Red Chris Copper, MMG Nickel Deal Stalls in Brussels, and Congo's Cobalt Countdown 04.07.2026 10min

  Iran's six-day funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei freezes all US-Iran negotiations until July 9, with UK, France and Oman pledging to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as Brent falls below $71. Canada and British Columbia sign a landmark resource agreement committing $500 million to expand Red Chris copper mine and targeting a 15%+ rise in national copper output. MMG and Anglo American extend their Brazilian nickel deal deadline to October 31 as EU antitrust review stalls. And the DRC cobalt customs platform freeze reaches its ARECOMS deadline, putting $1.1 billion in export quotas at immediate risk.
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  BHP Hands San Manuel to Faraday, Pilbara Workers Settle, Congo's Cobalt Customs Freeze, and Gold's Comeback Week 03.07.2026 10min

  BHP finalizes its transfer of the historic San Manuel copper mine in Arizona to Faraday Copper Corp, taking a 30% stake and offtake rights as both companies target a new US copper hub. BHP workers at South Flank and Mining Area C vote 58% in favor of a four-year deal — but Port Hedland negotiations continue. A customs platform failure in the DRC puts up to $1.1 billion in cobalt exports at risk ahead of a July 5 quota deadline. Gold surges above $4,170 per ounce for its first weekly gain in five weeks on weak US jobs data.
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  Agnico Eagle's Barnat Blow, Cigar Lake Goes Dark, Northern Star's New Hand, and India's Aluminum Bet 02.07.2026 9min

  A wall movement at Agnico Eagle's Barnat open pit in Quebec threatens 60,000 to 80,000 ounces of H2 2026 gold production. Cameco suspends mining at Cigar Lake after an acid plant failure halts Orano's McClean Lake mill. Northern Star appoints Glencore's Suresh Vadnagra as CEO following activist pressure from Elliott. And Adani and Abu Dhabi's IHC commit to an $11.5 billion aluminum joint venture in India's Odisha.
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  South32 Turns Copper, BHP's Diesel Dilemma on Day One, Ghana GoldBod Goes Live, and Iran Walks Away From Doha 01.07.2026 9min

  South32 sells its aluminium unit to Alcoa for $5.6B, becoming a lean copper miner and M&A target for Glencore or BHP — on day one for new BHP CEO Brandon Craig. BHP simultaneously orders 62 new diesel trucks at Jimblebar alongside its 2 electric ones, locking in diesel through at least the late 2030s. Ghana's GoldBod 30% gold offtake goes live today with cedi settlement. And Iran refuses to meet US envoys in Doha, stalling Hormuz diplomacy.
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  Hormuz Stand-Down Holds as Doha Talks Begin, BHP Craig Takes Command Tomorrow, Murray & Roberts Escapes Business Rescue, and the Copper Tariff Verdict 30.06.2026 10min

  Both US and Iran send delegations to Doha on June 30, but Tehran denies direct talks. Goldman Sachs says Gulf flows could return to 23M bpd by early July. Today is Mike Henry's last day as BHP CEO; Brandon Craig takes over tomorrow with the buy-vs-build copper conundrum front and center. Murray & Roberts completes R1.27B mining services business rescue sale to Differential Capital, preserving 2,600 jobs. And the Commerce Dept Section 232 refined copper report was delivered to the White House today.
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  Hormuz Ceasefire 2.0, Trump's New Metal Tariff Move, Canada Opens Greenland, and the Copper Tariff Verdict That Arrives Tomorrow 29.06.2026 10min

  The US and Iran agree to halt strikes and hold Doha talks beginning June 29, focused on Hormuz shipping operations and Iran's demand for transit control. President Trump signs a new Section 232 tariff adjustment today. Canada becomes the first G7 government to invest in Greenland mining with a C$7M grant to Greenland Resources' Malmbjerg molybdenum project. And the Section 232 refined copper tariff report arrives at the White House tomorrow — the decision that will set direction for a copper market at record COMEX inventories of 652,200 tonnes.
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  Electric Haulage Hits the Pilbara, Iran Eyes Hormuz Control, Barrick Breaks Ground at Fourmile, and the New US Metal Tariff Rulebook 28.06.2026 10min

  BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar reach a milestone in their battery-electric haul truck trial at Jimblebar iron ore mine — moving to dynamic charging. Iran's Hormuz strategy reframed: not a ceasefire dispute but a bid for strategic control of the waterway worth $40B. Proclamation 11032 restructures US Section 232 metal tariffs for equipment importers since June 8. And Barminco wins A$275M to develop Barrick's high-grade Fourmile gold mine in Nevada's Carlin Trend.
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  Hormuz Flares Again as Copper Tariff Deadline Looms, BHP Changes Guard, Hudbay Builds a Copper Empire in Arizona 27.06.2026 10min

  The Strait of Hormuz erupts again as US and Iranian forces exchange strikes and a second tanker is hit on Saturday, stalling the shipping recovery and pushing UK naval authorities to raise threat levels to substantial. The US Department of Commerce faces a June 30 deadline on its Section 232 refined copper tariff report — COMEX inventories hit a record 652,200 tonnes. BHP finalizes its leadership structure ahead of Brandon Craig's July 1 start. And Hudbay Minerals closes the Arizona Sonoran acquisition, creating the third-largest copper district in North America.
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  BHP's New CEO Inherits a Full Inbox, Gold Breaks $4,000, SSR Mining Closes $1.49B Çöpler Sale, Paladin Hits New Uranium Discovery 25.06.2026 9min

  Brandon Craig takes over as BHP CEO on July 1 with an immediate in-tray: Port Hedland strike threats, a $2.3 billion Jansen potash overrun, and a year-end Copper South Australia smelter decision. Gold breaks below $4,000 per ounce for the first time in seven months, driven by the strongest US dollar since May 2025 and rising Federal Reserve rate hike bets — copper also slips near six-week lows. SSR Mining closes its $1.49 billion sale of the Çöpler mine stake in Turkey, becoming a pure Americas gold producer. And Paladin Energy confirms a new high-grade uranium discovery — Atlas — at Patterson Lake South in Saskatchewan, with best intersection of 8.0m at 1.75% U3O8.
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  Anglo-Codelco Copper Deal Done, Sherritt Shuts Canada's Only Cobalt Refinery, BHP Ultimatum at Port Hedland, Wall Street Cuts Gold Targets 24.06.2026 9min

  Anglo American and Codelco complete the Los Bronces–Andina joint mine plan, unlocking 2.7 million tonnes of additional copper over 21 years with at least $5 billion in shared pre-tax value. Sherritt International begins a controlled shutdown of Fort Saskatchewan — North America's only significant cobalt refinery — after US sanctions on Cuba sever the Moa joint venture feedstock supply. All three BHP Port Hedland unions issue a joint ultimatum: meaningfully negotiate or face widespread strikes. Wall Street turns on gold — Deutsche Bank cuts its forecast 22% to $4,300/oz, following Goldman Sachs's revision from $5,400 to $4,900 last week.
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  Energy Fuels Acquires Germany's VAC for $1.9 Billion, BHP Tables Port Hedland Offer, Mali Presses $512M Barrick Claim, Minnesota Mining Ban Overturned 23.06.2026 9min

  Energy Fuels announces a definitive $1.9 billion deal to acquire German rare earth magnet maker Vacuumschmelze, creating the first fully integrated US mine-to-magnet supply chain. BHP tables a draft enterprise agreement at Port Hedland — unions say some progress was made but the sides remain far apart ahead of a July 7th follow-up session. Mali's military government escalates its $512 million tax and dividend claim against Barrick Gold at the Loulo-Gounkoto complex. And Congress has overturned Minnesota's 20-year mineral leasing ban, clearing the primary federal hurdle for the Twin Metals copper-nickel-cobalt project.
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  US-Iran Talks Secure Hormuz Roadmap, China Bans Rare Earth Exports to MP Materials, Pentagon Backs Energy Fuels With $725 Million, and Newmont Cadia Hit by Twin Quakes 22.06.2026 10min

  US-Iran talks in Switzerland conclude with a 60-day roadmap and a Hormuz communication mechanism — oil falls to $78 and energy cost normalization resumes for global mining operations. China escalates its critical minerals campaign by banning rare earth exports to MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, the two Pentagon-backed US rare earth producers, with immediate effect. The Pentagon responds the same day with a conditional $725 million, 20-year loan to Energy Fuels to build a rare earth separation and metallization hub at White Mesa Mill in Utah. And Newmont's Cadia mine in New South Wales is halted for the second time in nine weeks after twin magnitude 3.4 and 3.2 earthquakes — operations resumed Sunday following a staged safety restart.
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  Iran Closes Hormuz Again, Trump's Copper Tariff Decision Looms, and All Three BHP Port Hedland Unions Now Have Active Strike Ballots 21.06.2026 9min

  Iran re-closes the Strait of Hormuz citing Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon, even as US and Iranian delegations meet in Switzerland — with oil at $80 and mining energy costs hanging in the balance. Trump's copper tariff decision from the Commerce Department is due by end of June, with a phased 15%-to-30% tariff scenario widening the Comex-LME spread and prompting front-running stockpile builds. And at BHP's Port Hedland terminal, the Australian Workers Union files a Fair Work Commission ballot application on June 18, making all three unions — AWU, ETU, and AMWU — active in the strike process, with $120 million per day in iron ore revenue at risk.
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  Newmont's Red Chris Block Cave Gets BC Green Light, Vale and Glencore Form Sudbury Copper Partnership, Ghana Weighs Seizing Gold Fields' Biggest Mine, and Pilbara Minerals Doubles Down on Lithium 20.06.2026 10min

  British Columbia grants key regulatory approvals for Newmont's Red Chris Block Cave project — a copper-gold asset with 20 million ounces of gold and 13 billion pounds of copper, with a final investment decision expected later in 2026. Vale Base Metals and Glencore sign an agreement to jointly develop a brownfield copper project in Sudbury, Ontario, targeting 880,000 tonnes of copper over 21 years at up to $2 billion in capital. Ghana weighs transferring control of Gold Fields' Tarkwa mine to local companies when leases expire April 2027, deepening a resource nationalism push that has already raised royalties to 12%. And Pilbara Minerals approves $175 million in pre-FID capital for the P2000 lithium expansion at Pilgangoora, targeting a final investment decision by December.
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  BHP's $2.3 Billion Potash Blowout, Port Hedland Strike Ultimatum, Rio Tinto's Structural Reset, and Alamos Gold Cuts Full-Year Guidance After Mine Seismicity 19.06.2026 10min

  BHP books a $2.3 billion impairment on its Jansen potash project as Stage 2 costs balloon to $6.9 billion — the third overrun on the project in three years. Three unions issue a joint final ultimatum to BHP at Port Hedland, putting hundreds of workers days away from filing strike notice. Rio Tinto restructures into three product groups with immediate executive appointments, placing Borates and Iron & Titanium under strategic review. Alamos Gold cuts Q2 guidance 12% after seismic events at Young-Davidson damage underground infrastructure, pushing full-year production below the low end of guidance.