Today's Stories
Source: MENAFN
Resource commentator Richard Mills argues that Canada is misdirecting critical minerals investment toward the Ring of Fire, a remote, infrastructure-free project with a 20-year timeline, while proven camps like the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Sudbury Basin, and Golden Triangle are underserved. The Detour Lake mine alone is expected to generate nearly $4 billion this year, against the Ring of Fire's estimated $730 million annually over 30 years. Mills calls for investment in smelters, rail, ports, and power, arguing that shipping raw concentrate to China for refining is the fundamental failure of the current strategy.
Source: Mining.com.au
A March 2026 survey of 207 FIFO workers by MPI Recruitment found more than half describe their roster as unsustainable long-term or already causing burnout, with only one in four saying it is viable beyond six months. Workers consistently flagged roster design over pay as the primary retention issue. MPI notes 86% of Australian mining workers are considered movable in 2026.
Source: Junior Mining Network
Fireweed Metals (TSXV: FWZ) has raised C$61.5 million in a non-brokered private placement at $4.18 per share, led by Japan's JX Advanced Metals and the Lundin Family Trusts. Proceeds will advance the Macpass zinc and Mactung tungsten projects in Yukon and the early-stage Gayna project in the Northwest Territories. Mactung is one of the world's largest high-grade tungsten deposits, with a feasibility study underway targeting completion in early 2027.
Source: The Australian
Contest favourite Stanmore Coal, backed by a Wall Street investment bank, is now competing against two Indonesian groups that have joined the shortlist for Anglo American's Queensland steelmaking coal portfolio. The five Bowen Basin mines are being sold after Anglo's $3.8 billion deal with Peabody Energy collapsed in August 2025 following a disputed material adverse change claim.
Source: The Northern Miner
Montage, part of the Lundin Mining group, increased gold grades by 20% at its Koné project in Africa. The grade improvement is expected to benefit the project's economics as the company advances construction.
Source: Business Insider Africa
The DRC's Mining Registry cancelled AVZ Minerals' 79-block PR 4029 permit on March 19, 2026, citing non-payment of surface rights fees over the Manono lithium project extension area. The move compounds a three-year dispute that began with the revocation of AVZ's main development permit in 2023 and has since escalated to ICSID arbitration. Negotiations with US-backed KoBold Metals over a potential acquisition of AVZ's stake remain unresolved.
Source: MINING.COM
Federal and provincial governments are considering funding and regulatory relief to keep Glencore's Quebec copper smelter operational. The governments are working to save the threatened facility through potential financial support and regulatory assistance amid disputes and supply risks.
Source: Il Sole 24 Ore
An amendment to Italy's energy bills decree (DL 21/2026) extends the deadline for coal-fired power plant closures from 2025 to 2038, a 13-year reprieve framed as a response to the energy crisis stemming from the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. The Brindisi and Civitavecchia plants have been on standby since late 2025 and would require new authorisations to restart. The same decree bans energy supply contracts signed via unsolicited telemarketing calls without formal prior consumer consent.
Source: AFR
Rio Tinto lost $1.1 billion in exports after cyclones in February and March prevented shipment of 8 million tonnes of iron ore. The weather disruptions caused significant financial losses for the major iron ore producer.
Source: Business in Vancouver
British Columbia is averaging 143 days to process mineral claims decisions against a government commitment of 90 to 120 days, with only 14.8% of applications processed on time. One Victoria-based firm submitted 27 applications since September 2025 with none approved, raising concerns about missing the summer exploration season. AME CEO Todd Stone warned that the backlog is pushing investors toward more predictable jurisdictions.
Source: MINING.COM
The US government is investing heavily in rare earth companies that have yet to prove commercial viability, including backing a mine-to-magnet value chain at the Round Top deposit in Texas. These companies are developing projects despite lacking proven commercial track records.
Source: The Northern Miner
Americas Gold & Silver expects production to increase 30% this year. The company also announced a new discovery at the Coeur mine within the Galena complex, where drilling intersected multiple high-grade silver zones.
Source: CNBC
Copper development firm Halo Minerals completed the first mining IPO in London this year on the LSE's AIM market. CEO Andrew Dennan discussed the company's Monday public listing.
Source: Mining Weekly
Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis opposes Eldorado Gold's proposed acquisition of Foran, arguing Eldorado shareholders would receive a smaller stake than the value they're contributing. The firm is recommending against the merger deal.
Source: New York Post
Australian mining company Dateline Resources acquired the Music Valley heavy rare earth elements project near Joshua Tree National Park last month. The project represents a significant rare earth development in California.
Source: AFR
Rio Tinto has mandated Morgan Stanley for a potential infrastructure divestment focusing on Pilbara power assets. The mining giant is considering the sale of power infrastructure assets in its Pilbara operations region.
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