Loading commodity prices...

Latest Articles

Recent Articles

Energy Secretary Secures Carolinas’ Grid Ahead of Holiday Weekend

Energy Secretary Secures Carolinas’ Grid Ahead of Holiday Weekend

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order on September 3, 2026, granting Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, temporary authority to stabilize the electrical grid in the Carolinas, mitigating blackout risks amidst hot weather and ensuring power reliability through September 8, 2026. This directive, issued under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, underscores critical vulnerabilities in national energy infrastructure and highlights the ongoing debate surrounding energy policy and its profound implications for energy-intensive industries such as mining. The incident provides a timely case study on the imperative of grid resilience and reliable power supply for continuous industrial operations.

Read More →
Lindian, Carester plan rare earths separation plant in Kazakhstan

Lindian, Carester plan rare earths separation plant in Kazakhstan

Lindian Resources and Carester have forged a strategic agreement to establish an 8,000 tonnes per annum rare earth oxide separation facility in Stepnogorsk, Kazakhstan, complemented by a binding long-term offtake for heavy rare earth products. This landmark collaboration, supported by the Kazakh government, aims to create a crucial mine-to-oxide processing chain, enhancing global supply chain resilience for critical magnet-related rare earths. A definitive feasibility study, led by Carester and Tetra Tech Coffey, is anticipated by the end of 2026.

Read More →
NT1 and Plutonian II agree on $500m merger deal

NT1 and Plutonian II agree on $500m merger deal

Australian mineral exploration company NT1 has announced a definitive agreement to merge with Plutonian Acquisition Corp. II (Plutonian II), a special purpose acquisition company, in a transaction valued at an estimated $500 million. This strategic merger, anticipated to complete in 2027, will see the combined entity list on the New York Stock Exchange, providing NT1 with enhanced access to US capital markets to bolster its exploration of critical mineral assets, including rare earth elements, niobium, and IOCG deposits. The move underscores the increasing global demand for strategic minerals and the growing role of SPACs in facilitating access to public markets for resource companies.

Read More →
Energy Secretary Keeps the Mid-Atlantic Powered During Hot Weather Conditions

Energy Secretary Keeps the Mid-Atlantic Powered During Hot Weather Conditions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order on September 1, 2026, directing PJM Interconnection to stabilize the Mid-Atlantic power grid and prevent blackouts during a forecasted heatwave. This move, championed by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, underscores a policy shift prioritizing grid reliability through dispatchable generation, signaling potential sustained demand for coal, natural gas, and other conventional energy sources critical to the mining industry.

Read More →
ZCCM targets $1.8bn from formalised small-scale gold sector

ZCCM targets $1.8bn from formalised small-scale gold sector

Zambia’s state mining investment company, ZCCM Investments, is targeting over $1.8 billion in annual revenue from its small-scale gold sector by implementing a comprehensive formalization strategy, drawing inspiration from Ghana's successful model. This ambitious initiative aims to significantly boost official gold export figures, which currently show a vast disparity between declared Zambian exports and gold imports reported by countries like the UAE and Hong Kong. The plan seeks to capture the substantial value currently lost to informal trade, enhancing Zambia's foreign exchange earnings and overall economic stability amidst strong global gold prices.

Read More →
How autonomous vehicle fleets are reshaping Australia’s mining workforce

How autonomous vehicle fleets are reshaping Australia’s mining workforce

Australia's mining sector is undergoing a profound transformation as autonomous vehicle fleets become increasingly prevalent across its operations. This shift, driven by technological advancements, is fundamentally reshaping the workforce, moving personnel from traditional vehicle operator roles into sophisticated remote control rooms and other technology-centric positions. Mining operators are actively engaged in redefining job functions, implementing comprehensive retraining programs, and preparing their employees for a more digitally oriented future, as reported on September 3, 2026, by Scarlett Evans for Mining Technology.

Read More →
Energy Secretary Saves Coal-Fired Generation from Going Offline in Florida

Energy Secretary Saves Coal-Fired Generation from Going Offline in Florida

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued an emergency order on September 1, 2026, directing the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) to keep Unit 1 of the coal-fired Stanton Energy Center online in Florida, preventing a planned extended shutdown. This directive, effective from September 2 to November 30, 2026, aims to bolster grid reliability and mitigate rising energy costs, reflecting a broader federal strategy to preserve baseload coal generation across the nation. For the mining industry, this intervention signals continued policy support for thermal coal, influencing demand forecasts and investment decisions in a critical energy market.

Read More →
How robotics and automation are building the mine of the future

How robotics and automation are building the mine of the future

The mining industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation driven by robotics and automation, heralding an era of enhanced safety and unparalleled productivity. A recent discussion featuring mining engineering professor Steve Schafrik and Epiroc's Brad Baillio highlighted how these technologies, including advanced underground mapping, are fundamentally reshaping operational paradigms and building the "mine of the future" as of September 2, 2026. This paradigm shift addresses critical industry challenges, from worker safety in hazardous environments to the imperative for greater operational efficiency and precision in resource extraction.

Read More →
Metso to supply process technology for GTK Mintec plant in Finland

Metso to supply process technology for GTK Mintec plant in Finland

Metso has secured an agreement with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) to engineer and deliver advanced process technology for GTK Mintec’s new pilot plant in Outokumpu, Finland. Scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2028, this facility will significantly expand GTK’s research and service capabilities, focusing on both traditional mineral processing and circular economy materials, with a strong emphasis on energy and water efficiency. The project underscores the long-standing collaboration between Metso and GTK, positioning Finland as a key hub for sustainable mining innovation.

Read More →
Altris Engineering to spearhead Ema Project FEED phase for BCM

Altris Engineering to spearhead Ema Project FEED phase for BCM

Brazilian Critical Minerals (BCM) has appointed Altris Engineering as the lead design engineer for the crucial Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase of its Ema Rare Earth Project in Brazil. This development, announced as of early September 2026, marks a significant progression for the project, building upon Altris’s prior involvement in the Bankable Feasibility Study. The 24-week FEED phase will focus on detailed process plant design and infrastructure, integrating critical testwork, and preparing the project for final investment decision and subsequent construction.

Read More →