Loading commodity prices...

Latest Articles

Recent Articles

China’s rare earth grip persists despite Trump-Xi summit, BMI says

China’s rare earth grip persists despite Trump-Xi summit, BMI says

Despite the recent May 2026 summit between US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping, China's dominant position in the global rare earth supply chain is expected to persist, according to Fitch Group's BMI. While the US sought assurances on critical mineral supplies, no formal agreements emerged, leaving a one-year suspension of some Chinese export restrictions set to expire in November 2026. This ongoing uncertainty underscores the urgency of US-led initiatives to build resilient domestic and international rare earth supply chains, as shortages of heavy rare earths like yttrium continue to impact key industries.

Read More →
Fortescue begins construction on 690MW solar farm in Pilbara

Fortescue begins construction on 690MW solar farm in Pilbara

Fortescue has commenced construction on the 690MW Turner River solar farm and a 650MWh battery energy storage system at its Cloudbreak mine in Australia's Pilbara, marking a significant step in its "Real Zero" decarbonization initiative. These projects, alongside an aggressive fleet electrification program and extensive transmission network development, underscore the iron ore major's commitment to powering its operations entirely with renewable energy by 2028, setting a precedent for the global mining industry.

Read More →
Energy Secretary Keeps Critical Generation Online in Mid-Atlantic

Energy Secretary Keeps Critical Generation Online in Mid-Atlantic

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a critical emergency order ensuring the continued operation of Units 3 and 4 of the Eddystone Generating Station in Pennsylvania, a natural gas and oil-fired facility, from May 25 to August 22, 2026. This mandate, the latest in a series of interventions since May 2025, aims to mitigate blackout risks and maintain grid stability in the Mid-Atlantic PJM region, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing generator retirements with rising electricity demand, a situation with significant implications for energy-intensive sectors like mining.

Read More →
MAX Power secures $18M from Sprott in boost to plans for Canadian hydrogen

MAX Power secures $18M from Sprott in boost to plans for Canadian hydrogen

MAX Power Mining has secured a significant C$25 million ($18 million) investment from prominent mining investor Eric Sprott, bolstering its efforts to accelerate the commercial validation of Canada’s first natural hydrogen system at its Lawson project in Saskatchewan. This capital injection is set to fund an expanded multi-well drilling program targeting high-priority areas identified through 3D seismic data, with the aim of confirming what the company believes could be the world’s inaugural large-scale commercial natural hydrogen discovery, alongside substantial helium potential. The development positions Saskatchewan to potentially emerge as a crucial hub for this nascent primary energy source, signaling a pivotal moment for both MAX Power and Canada's clean energy ambitions.

Read More →
Canadian steel sector faces deeper pain than aluminum as tariff uncertainty clouds outlook

Canadian steel sector faces deeper pain than aluminum as tariff uncertainty clouds outlook

Canada's steel industry is confronting a significantly deeper and more protracted challenge from U.S. tariffs compared to its aluminum counterpart, with monthly export revenues estimated to be $500 million lower than pre-tariff levels. While federal support offers immediate liquidity, deemed a "short-term solution" by PwC Canada's Gemma Stanton-Hagan, the sector grapples with global oversupply and an inability to diversify away from its historically dominant U.S. market, signaling a potential long-term restructuring of North American trade dynamics.

Read More →
Secretary Wright Announces Leadership Changes to Deliver Affordable, Reliable and Secure Energy to the American People

Secretary Wright Announces Leadership Changes to Deliver Affordable, Reliable and Secure Energy to the American People

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced significant leadership changes, with Kyle Haustveit confirmed as Under Secretary of Energy and Alex Fitzsimmons appointed as Associate Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to Secretary Chris Wright. These appointments, occurring on May 22, 2026, signal a potential continued emphasis on domestic energy production, including hydrocarbons and geothermal, aligning with President Trump’s energy agenda and holding substantial implications for the U.S. mining sector, particularly coal and critical minerals.

Read More →
Banana waste finds new role in Australian mining blast operations

Banana waste finds new role in Australian mining blast operations

Papyrus Australia has successfully pioneered a novel approach to sustainable mining by converting discarded banana plantation waste into biodegradable blast collars for open-cut operations. This innovation, highlighted by a A$4.2 million supply deal with TBS Mining Solutions, offers a compelling circular economy solution, addressing both agricultural waste challenges and the mining industry's demand for environmentally responsible consumables. The initiative aims to reduce methane emissions from decaying biomass while providing an effective, eco-friendly alternative for critical blasting operations.

Read More →
Tungsten West secures $25m loan for Hemerdon mine restart

Tungsten West secures $25m loan for Hemerdon mine restart

<p></p> <p>In a significant development for the European critical minerals sector, Tungsten West has secured a $25 million bridging loan to propel the phased restart of its Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine in Devon, UK. This financial injection, provided by an entity controlled by substantial shareholder Gregory Coffey, is designed to maintain the project's rapid development pace, with fines gravity processing slated to commence in Q3 2026. The company is concurrently progressing towards finalising a larger $85 million debt package, which will ultimately repay the bridging loan and fully fund the mine's restart to a targeted capacity of 500 tonnes per hour by Q1 2027.</p> <p>

Read More →
Energy Secretary Strengthens Mid-Atlantic Grid Reliability

Energy Secretary Strengthens Mid-Atlantic Grid Reliability

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has issued an emergency order, effective May 22, 2026, to ensure grid stability and prevent energy shortfalls for 65 million Americans across 13 states and the District of Columbia. This directive authorizes PJM Interconnection and Talen Energy Corporation to operate Unit 4 of the Wagner Generating Station in Maryland beyond its typical operating limits, responding to a "growing resource adequacy concern" ahead of anticipated summer demand and generator outages. The action underscores the critical balance between evolving energy infrastructure and the unwavering need for reliable, affordable power crucial for energy-intensive sectors like mining.

Read More →
Arafura announces FID on Nolans project in Australia

Arafura announces FID on Nolans project in Australia

Arafura Rare Earths has announced its Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Nolans Rare Earths Project in Australia’s Northern Territory, marking a significant step towards establishing the country's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths operation. This pivotal development, supported by strong financial commitments from the Australian government and robust international offtake agreements, positions Nolans to deliver 4,440 tonnes per annum of neodymium-praseodymium oxide, crucial for the automotive, wind energy, and high-technology sectors amidst a global drive to diversify critical minerals supply chains. Construction for the project is slated to commence in September 2026, with Hatch leading engineering, procurement, and construction management.

Read More →