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UK inquiry thrusts tungsten mining into defence minerals spotlight

2026-05-29

The United Kingdom's parliamentary inquiry, as reported on May 28, 2026, is shedding critical light on the strategic imperative of establishing domestic capabilities in refining and metallization of key critical minerals like tungsten and rare earths. Witnesses have underscored to UK Members of Parliament that the nation's future defense-industrial resilience hinges on securing supply chains independently of China, marking a significant re-evaluation of national security and economic strategy within the global mining sector. This development signals a broader shift towards supply chain resilience over purely cost-driven approaches, presenting new opportunities and challenges for mining and processing investments outside traditional hubs.

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New episode: Glut or shortage – what lies ahead for LNG?

2026-05-29

On May 27, 2026, the Energy Technology podcast, hosted by Eve Thomas of Offshore Technology, delved into the critical question of whether the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market is headed for an oversupply or a significant shortage. Featuring insights from commercial LNG analyst James Voyle and professor of global energy Michael Bradshaw, the discussion highlighted the conflicting forces of rapid export capacity expansion, geopolitical supply chain pressures from events like the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the long-term threat of demand destruction posed by increasingly cost-effective renewable energy sources. This ongoing debate profoundly impacts energy strategy, infrastructure investment, and raw material demand across sectors, including mining operations reliant on stable and affordable energy.

Q&A: Thunderstone’s CEO on whether mining can extract more metal with less rock

2026-05-29

Thunderstone, a US-based company, is advancing electrified mining technology that promises to extract critical minerals with significantly less rock movement than conventional methods. Its CEO, Eric Wasson-Burns, highlighted in a Q&A published May 28, 2026, the potential of this fluid-control system for improving heap leaching, tailings recovery, and ultimately enabling full in-situ mining. This innovative approach seeks to address the mining industry's escalating pressures for decarbonization and sustainable critical mineral supply by stimulating and directing liquid flow through ore bodies using high-voltage electrical discharges.

American Critical Minerals secures BLM permits for 2026

2026-05-28

American Critical Minerals has secured final potassium prospecting permits from the US Bureau of Land Management for its Green River Project in Utah, set to commence on June 1, 2026. This pivotal development, the culmination of over a decade of work, will enable the company to initiate a seven-drill-hole program to evaluate historical potash data and explore for lithium and bromine within the Paradox and Leadville formations. The project underscores a strategic move towards bolstering domestic supply chains for essential agricultural and critical battery minerals in the United States.

Copi Critical Minerals Project receives NSW government approval

2026-05-28

RZ Resources has achieved a significant milestone with its Copi Critical Minerals Project, securing development approval from the New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. This pivotal regulatory clearance positions the large-scale operation, located near Wentworth in south-western NSW, to target initial production by early 2029, promising substantial contributions to global supply chains for titanium minerals, premium zircon, and rare earth elements. The project has garnered robust international backing from the governments of Australia, the US, Japan, and India, underscoring its strategic importance and anticipated economic impact on the region.

Victory Metals gains access to US DIBC

2026-05-27

Australian-listed miner Victory Metals has been granted membership in the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), effective May 26, 2026. This approval provides the company direct access to US Department of Defense funding, prime contractors, and critical minerals procurement systems. The move highlights Victory Metals' North Stanmore project, which possesses a unique profile of rare earth elements and strategic minerals vital for national security and currently subject to Chinese export restrictions.

Decarbonising mining: solar lights the way for electrification

2026-05-27

The global mining industry is rapidly adopting renewable energy, particularly solar power, as a foundational step towards comprehensive decarbonization and electrification. While complete decarbonization remains a long-term goal, current strategies prioritize market-ready renewable solutions due to their decreasing costs and immediate environmental benefits. This article details how solar is emerging as the dominant renewable power source in new mine developments and on-site generation, supported by transitional fuels like natural gas, and highlights key industry players driving this critical energy transition.

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

2026-05-26

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.

Fortescue begins construction on 690MW solar farm in Pilbara

2026-05-26

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.

Energy Secretary Keeps Critical Generation Online in Mid-Atlantic

2026-05-25

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.

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

2026-05-25

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.