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LKAB receives permit for expanded mining at Malmberget

2026-06-16

Swedish state-owned mining giant LKAB has secured a pivotal permit from the country's Land and Environmental Court, allowing for the comprehensive expansion of mining and processing operations at its historic 135-year-old Malmberget site in Gällivare. This critical approval not only covers existing extraction but also facilitates significant growth initiatives, including the establishment of a demonstration plant for fossil-free sponge iron and a new facility for apatite processing slated to yield vital phosphorus and rare earth elements for European industries. The decision is set to bolster LKAB's long-term operational viability, enhance Sweden's position in critical raw material supply chains, and contribute significantly to global decarbonization efforts.

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Recent Articles

Energy Department Delivers $1.6 Billion Loan to Lower Energy Costs for Michiganders

2026-06-16

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Office of Energy Dominance Financing, has finalized a significant $1.6 billion loan to DTE Gas Company, aiming to substantially reduce electricity costs and modernize natural gas infrastructure across Michigan. This initiative, announced on June 15, 2026, is projected to deliver over $700 million in cost savings to millions of customers by upgrading 800 miles of distribution lines and rebuilding a crucial compressor station. For the mining industry, this development signals a commitment to affordable and reliable energy, directly impacting operational costs, supply chain stability, and the broader investment climate for energy-intensive mining operations in the region and beyond.

From camera clarity to collision avoidance: What ‘AI in mining’ actually looks like in 2026

2026-06-16

In 2026, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mining is shifting from theoretical concepts towards immediate, practical applications in mine safety, particularly within challenging underground environments. This article delves into how AI, starting with foundational technologies like self-cleaning camera systems from ExcelSense, is enhancing operational visibility, refining proximity detection, and supporting advanced collision-risk management. By integrating diverse sensor data and reducing nuisance alarms, AI-enabled systems are empowering human operators with more accurate, reliable, and timely information to prevent vehicle-to-person and vehicle-to-vehicle incidents, marking a significant advancement in industry safety protocols.

Fortuna secures environmental approval for Diamba Sud mine

2026-06-16

Fortuna Mining has secured a crucial environmental decree for its Diamba Sud Gold Project in Senegal, marking a significant step forward for the development of the 724,000-ounce indicated resource. This approval, granted by Senegal’s Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition, validates the project’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and underscores the strong commitment from the Senegalese government to responsible mining. With this key regulatory hurdle cleared, Fortuna is advancing early construction works and plans to finalize its feasibility study and make a final construction decision by mid-2026, positioning Diamba Sud as a potential new gold producer in the prolific Kenieba-Koudougou Inlier.

United States, Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Rice University To Establish Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in Houston

2026-06-15

On June 11, 2026, the United States, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and Rice University formally committed to establishing the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center (EMEC) in Houston, Texas. This initiative aims to bolster energy security, foster innovation, and enhance economic growth within the Eastern Mediterranean by facilitating collaboration on natural gas development, LNG infrastructure, and emerging energy technologies, leveraging Houston's status as a global energy hub. The center reinforces U.S. strategic partnerships and expands opportunities for American energy investment in an increasingly vital energy region.

Rio Tinto, China Baowu conclude shaft furnace trials

2026-06-15

Rio Tinto and China Baowu have successfully concluded industrial-scale trials in China demonstrating the production of direct reduced iron (DRI) from pellets containing mid-grade Pilbara Blend iron ore using a hydrogen-based shaft furnace. This significant breakthrough paves a viable path for the steel industry to reduce its carbon footprint by expanding feedstock options and moving towards low-carbon steelmaking, fulfilling a key objective of their 2023 decarbonization Memorandum of Understanding.

Energy Secretary Secures Carolinas' Grid Ahead of Period of Hot Weather

2026-06-14

In a significant move to avert potential blackouts, the U.S. Department of Energy on June 11, 2026, issued an emergency order authorizing Duke Energy to operate generating units in the Carolinas at maximum capacity. This directive, granted under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, explicitly overrides existing air quality and other environmental permit limitations for a critical 30-hour period. The action underscores heightened concerns over grid reliability and signals a federal prioritization of energy security, with substantial implications for the power-intensive mining sector.

Drilling begins at Legacy Minerals’ Emu copper-gold site

2026-06-14

Legacy Minerals has commenced a significant diamond drilling program at its Emu Copper-Gold Prospect, part of the Mt Carrington Project in northern New South Wales, Australia. This marks the first modern exploration drill test in 50 years at a compelling porphyry-epithermal target identified through recent geophysical surveys. The program, spanning up to eight drill-holes for a total of 4,000 meters, aims to unlock substantial copper-gold potential within a highly prospective regional caldera-margin trend.

Codelco, CEA-Liten sign deal to electrify mining equipment

2026-06-14

Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, has formalized a one-year agreement with French research institute CEA-Liten to accelerate the electrification of underground mining equipment. This collaboration, supported by the Chilean state company and the French FASEP fund, targets advanced simulations, rigorous lithium battery testing, and techno-economic analyses to drive decarbonization and enhance worker safety. The initiative underscores a growing industry commitment to sustainable mining practices and technological innovation.

Energy Secretary Keeps Coal-Fired Power Generation Alive in the Northwest

2026-06-13

In a significant move to ensure grid stability in the U.S. Northwest, Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order directing TransAlta Centralia Generation LLC to keep Unit 2 of the coal-fired Centralia Generating Station operational from June 15, 2026, through September 12, 2026. This decision, aimed at mitigating critical reliability issues and the risk of blackouts, follows warnings from organizations like NERC regarding energy shortfalls in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) Northwest region. The order highlights the ongoing reliance on coal-fired generation for base-load power amidst rapidly growing demand and contributes to a broader trend of preserving coal plants from premature retirement, directly impacting the domestic thermal coal mining industry.

Larvotto signs deal to acquire 100% of Hammer Metals

2026-06-13

Larvotto Resources has announced a binding scheme implementation deed to acquire 100% of Hammer Metals, a strategic move set to create a diversified critical minerals and precious metals company in Australia. The acquisition, valued at approximately A$54 million, will merge Larvotto’s Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales with Hammer’s significant Mt Isa copper and critical minerals portfolio in Queensland, establishing a combined copper-equivalent resource of around 530,000 tonnes in the Mt Isa district alone. This consolidation is further bolstered by a A$15 million strategic investment from Glencore, underscoring the potential for rapid development and production commencement at the Hillgrove project by August 2026.