USA Rare Earth, through its UK-based subsidiary Less Common Metals (LCM), has announced the commercial production of 99-99.5% pure yttrium metal at its facility in Cheshire. This achievement positions the company as one of the few non-Chinese producers of this critical rare earth metal, which is essential for high-performance applications in aerospace, defense, electronics, and energy systems. The development is a significant step in USA Rare Earth’s strategy to build an integrated, Western-aligned rare earth supply chain from mining to magnet manufacturing, reinforcing national security and technological independence.
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<p>In a significant development for the global mining technology sector, UK-based MMD Group has announced its acquisition of the intellectual property rights for TraxIQ from Anglo American. This strategic move, reported on April 16, 2026, positions MMD to industrialize, commercialize, and deploy TraxIQ, a comprehensive and scalable material handling solution featuring modular vehicle structures, advanced energy management, and autonomous control systems. The acquisition underscores the mining industry’s increasing focus on innovation to enhance productivity, reduce emissions, and lower operational costs amidst rising demand for critical minerals.</p>
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SAGA Metals has strategically expanded its critical minerals portfolio by agreeing to acquire Catalyst Rare Metals, gaining full ownership of the royalty-free Wolverine rare earth element (REE) project in Canada. This acquisition, announced on April 15, 2026, positions SAGA to develop a high-potential heavy rare earth asset in a Tier-1 jurisdiction, directly supporting North American supply security for the clean-energy transition and defense industries. The Wolverine project, covering 230.5 km² in Labrador, has shown promising near-surface REE mineralization with significant heavy rare earth enrichment, driving SAGA's plans for a 2026 exploration program aimed at a maiden NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate.
Red Mountain Mining is relaunching antimony exploration across its US projects, including Thompson Falls in Montana-Idaho and Yellow Pine and Silver Dollar in Idaho, capitalizing on favorable weather conditions. This strategic move aims to define significant antimony resources, with initial rock chip analysis from Thompson Falls showing up to 36.5% antimony, and is supported by new advisory appointments and expedited environmental approvals. The initiative aligns with US government efforts to secure domestic critical mineral supplies, particularly antimony, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
Infographic: Latin America’s top miners may surprise Henry Lazenby | April 10, 2026 | 8:03 am Intelligence Markets Suppliers & Equipment Top Companies Latin America Copper Iron Ore Lithium Rare Earth Specialty Minerals Latin America’s most mining-dependent countries are not always its biggest economies. Our latest infographic ranks the region first by mining’s share of total exports and then by the value of those exports. The comparison shows where metals matter most to trade and where scale still rules, from copper giants Chile and Peru to smaller producers whose economies lean far more heavily on mining. 2026 is shaping to be a key year for Latin America, with resources at the centre of a growing global power struggle, as governments and investors focus on who controls critical minerals and the supply chains behind them. If the region matters to you, don’t miss MINING.COM’s Latin America series tracking the geopolitical forces reshaping it and why markets are increasingly driven by global alliances as much as local politics. Countries in the series so far: Bolivia Chile Colombia Share Comments Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser...
Neo Performance Materials has successfully initiated production of heavy rare earth elements, specifically separated terbium and dysprosium oxides, at its Silmet facility in Estonia, marking a significant step in establishing a secure, Europe-based supply chain for critical materials. This development complements the company's existing rare earth magnet manufacturing plant in Narva, Estonia, which is Europe's first mass producer of sintered magnets, further reinforcing Neo's strategy for a vertically integrated rare earth magnetics value chain within the continent. The output from both facilities is crucial for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced robotics, addressing Europe's strategic objectives for supply chain diversification and critical mineral independence.
British Columbia’s two largest gold projects, Seabridge Gold’s KSM and Tudor Gold’s Treaty Creek, face a significant hurdle as the provincial government delays key tunnel permits for KSM. This regulatory setback stems from an ongoing legal dispute between Seabridge and Tudor Gold regarding the route of KSM’s critical Mitchell Treaty Tunnels, which Tudor asserts would traverse its valuable Goldstorm deposit. The impasse threatens the development timelines of these massive projects, collectively holding billions of ounces of gold and pounds of copper, highlighting the complexities of concurrent mineral rights and infrastructure planning in prolific mining regions.
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<p>The Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum, held in Tokyo on March 14–15, 2026, convened twelve nations to forge a collective strategy for ensuring stable and secure energy supply in the region. Co-hosted by U.S. and Japanese energy leaders, the discussions emphasized robust supply chains, diversification of energy sources, and extensive investment, signaling profound implications for the global mining sector, particularly in critical minerals and uranium for nuclear energy development.</p>
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G Mining Ventures has agreed to acquire G2 Goldfields in an all-share transaction valued at C$3 billion ($2.2 billion), consolidating two adjacent gold projects, Oko West and Oko-Ghanie, into a single, district-scale operation in Guyana's Guiana Shield. This strategic move is expected to create an intermediate gold producer capable of delivering over 500,000 ounces of gold annually, leveraging significant operational and capital synergies. The deal underscores a broader consolidation trend in the region as companies seek to build larger, more capital-efficient mining complexes.
NioCorp Developments has solidified its pathway to full project financing for its critical Elk Creek project in Nebraska by signing a non-binding agreement with commodity trader Traxys. This landmark deal positions Traxys as the exclusive off-taker and marketing partner for the majority of Elk Creek's planned output for an initial 10-year term, covering 100% of ferroniobium, scandium, titanium dioxide, and rare earth elements, alongside a crucial equity investment of up to $30 million. The agreement is expected to address key diligence items for NioCorp's pursuit of up to $800 million in debt financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, significantly advancing a critical domestic source for strategic minerals previously dependent on foreign supply.
HiTech Minerals, a subsidiary of Australia’s Jindalee Lithium, is poised to go public on the Nasdaq through a $571 million merger with Constellation Acquisition Corp. I, forming a new entity named US Elemental. This strategic move aims to accelerate development of its significant US lithium assets, including the McDermitt deposit in Oregon, positioning the company closer to US capital markets and aligning with national critical mineral priorities in the face of surging demand for battery raw materials.
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has established a significant partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for its Taca Taca copper project in Argentina's Salta Province. This collaboration aims to align the substantial $4.2 billion project with global sustainability standards, enhancing its attractiveness for debt financing and promoting responsible mining practices. The move underscores Argentina's growing prominence as a critical minerals jurisdiction and FQM's commitment to advancing one of the world's premier undeveloped copper assets.
The Metals Royalty Company Inc. (TMCR) made its public market debut on the Nasdaq on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, marking a significant milestone for deep-sea mining finance. The company holds a crucial royalty interest in The Metals Company's (TMC) NORI project in the Pacific Ocean, which aims to extract polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, and copper – essential battery metals. This move introduces a proven financing model into the nascent and high-potential deep-sea mining sector, addressing the accelerating global demand for critical minerals.
Lachlan Star has commenced an initial 1,000-meter diamond drilling program at its New Waverley Gold Project in Western Australia, focusing on historical high-grade quartz reef mineralization in the gold-rich Norseman region. This strategically important move follows the recent acquisition of the project and aims to systematically test a 400-meter mineralized corridor, with a subsequent 2,000-meter reverse circulation drilling phase planned. The program seeks to confirm the continuity and grade of significant gold intercepts, signaling Lachlan Star's commitment to unlocking the project's broader scale potential in a premier gold jurisdiction.
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<p>Sweden has dramatically reversed its long-standing nuclear phase-out policy, embarking on an ambitious expansion plan that aims to add at least 2.5 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035 and the equivalent of ten new reactors by 2045. This significant pivot, driven by energy security and climate goals, is being spearheaded by Carl Berglöf, the national nuclear power coordinator, and is set to have profound implications for the global mining industry, particularly for uranium producers and suppliers of critical minerals essential for reactor construction and associated infrastructure.</p>
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<p>Mayfair Gold has significantly expanded its land holdings near its Fenn-Gib Gold Project in Timmins, Ontario, through the acquisition of three properties—Guibord, Marriott, and Holloway—from Plato Gold for C$2.5 million. This strategic move, announced on April 6, 2026, consolidates Mayfair’s position along the highly prospective Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone within the renowned Abitibi Greenstone belt, promising enhanced exploration leverage and critical infrastructure access for the proposed Fenn-Gib mine.</p>
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The United States Antimony Corporation (USAC) has recommenced mining activities at its Stibnite Hill property in Thompson Falls, Montana, significantly ahead of schedule due to unexpectedly mild winter conditions. This early restart, coupled with strategic operational enhancements and substantial government contracts totaling up to $272 million, underscores the growing national importance of domestic antimony production for critical mineral supply chain resilience and national defense.
United States Antimony Corp. (UAMY) has officially resumed mining operations at its Stibnite Hill property in Montana, marking a significant step towards establishing the first fully integrated antimony supply chain outside of China and Russia. This restart, following a near five-month weather-related halt, is crucial for bolstering the United States' domestic supply of this critical mineral, vital for numerous defense and industrial applications. The company plans to process ore into concentrates at its Radersburg facility before smelting it into finished products at its Thompson Falls smelter, the only operational antimony smelter in the United States.
REalloys and U.S. Critical Materials (USCM) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for REalloys to obtain up to 10% of the heavy rare earth production from USCM's high-grade Sheep Creek project in Montana. This strategic partnership aims to establish a crucial domestic supply chain for critical minerals, including dysprosium, terbium, yttrium, and gallium, vital for U.S. strategic defense stockpiles and advanced technology applications, ahead of anticipated restrictions on Chinese rare earth procurement in 2027. The agreement underscores a significant step towards bolstering American critical mineral sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.
Canadian critical metals processor pH7 Technologies is expanding its Vancouver facility with C$4 million in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). This investment will accelerate the scale-up of pH7's proprietary organo-electrochemical technology for recovering platinum group metals (PGMs) from secondary materials and, critically, for unlocking difficult sulfide ores in primary mining applications without toxic reagents or tailings wastewater. The move positions Canada at the forefront of sustainable critical mineral development, addressing both environmental challenges and global supply chain demands.
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<p>KGL Resources has secured a pivotal A$300 million precious metals purchase agreement (PMPA) with Wheaton Precious Metals International, earmarking funds for the construction and development of its Jervois Copper Project in Australia’s Northern Territory. This strategic financing, which includes a $275 million upfront stream payment and a $25 million cost overrun facility, marks Wheaton's inaugural streaming deal in Australia and positions KGL to become a significant copper producer with all necessary permits already in place.</p>
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Lotus Resources has secured a crucial confirmation from Orano Chimie-Enrichissement (Orano CE) for the acceptance of uranium ore concentrate from its Kayelekera project in Malawi at the Malvesi conversion facility in France. This pivotal development, following extensive qualification efforts, positions Lotus as a forthcoming global uranium supplier, with aims to reach full production capacity by the second quarter of 2026. The agreement facilitates initial shipments and provides strategic flexibility for Lotus in navigating global uranium markets and supply chains.
Santana Minerals has taken a significant step forward for its Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project in New Zealand, securing NZ$115 million ($65.8 million) worth of mining fleet build slots with Komatsu New Zealand. This critical agreement, which includes primary excavators and haul trucks under a leasing and support package, positions Santana as a prospective low-cost owner-operator, pending a crucial fast-track approval decision expected by October 2026. The move underscores the project's progression towards construction and future production, contingent on regulatory green light.
Agnico Eagle Mines is set to acquire significant ownership in junior explorer Cascadia Minerals through a C$5.02 million private placement and an additional C$2.6 million unit purchase, totaling C$7.62 million in investment. This strategic move, anticipated to close in April 2026, will grant Agnico Eagle a 14.21% non-diluted and 19.90% partially diluted stake in Cascadia, alongside an earn-in agreement for the Catch property in Yukon and a broader strategic exploration alliance in the Stikine Terrane, underscoring Agnico Eagle's commitment to expanding its gold exploration pipeline in Canada.
Metso has secured a substantial €100 million ($115.06 million) contract from Southern Peru Copper Corporation for the supply of advanced Solvent Extraction and Electrowinning (SX-EW) technology for the Tia Maria project in Peru. This agreement, booked in Metso's Q1 2026 Minerals segment orders, will equip the new facility to produce 120,000 tonnes of high-purity LME Grade A copper cathodes annually, addressing the growing global demand for this critical metal.
Felix Gold has successfully exercised its option to acquire full ownership of key assets within the Treasure Creek Project in Alaska's historic Fairbanks Mining District. This acquisition consolidates Felix Gold's position as the largest landholder in the region, securing long-term tenure for an emerging antimony deposit, verified to exceed US Military concentrate specifications, and a significant JORC inferred gold resource of 467,000 ounces. The strategic move, involving a final payment of $1.4 million, underscores the company's commitment to advancing a critical minerals project with proven processing pathways and a streamlined permitting outlook.
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<p>Mine tailings, long viewed as an environmental and financial burden, are rapidly being re-evaluated as a significant source of critical minerals and a potential new revenue stream for mining operators. Driven by global demand for critical minerals, declining ore grades, and stringent environmental regulations, advanced reprocessing technologies are now transforming these historic liabilities into valuable assets. Initiatives like Canada's MICA Network are at the forefront, connecting innovative tech solutions with industry to unlock billions of dollars in dormant value, thereby addressing both resource security and environmental remediation.</p>
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News K2 Gold concludes 2026 drilling campaign at Nevada’s Si2 project The programme involved eight drill-holes covering a total of 3,871m across five AOI. Shree Mishra March 27, 2026 Share Copy Link Share on X Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook Drilling in 2026 targeted structural locations identified from a geological model using drilling data, geophysics and fluid studies. Credit: Parilaw/Shutterstock.com. K2 Gold has completed its 2026 reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme at the Si2 Gold Project in Esmeralda County, Nevada, US, situated within the Walker Lane Trend. The campaign involved eight drill-holes covering a total of 3,871m across five areas of interest (AOI) at Si2 Gold. Go deeper with GlobalData Reports Jackfish 2 Project Reports Soledad Mountain Project Go deeper with GlobalData The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more This marks K2 Gold’s inaugural exploration at the AOI3, AOI4 and AOI5 target areas, extending exploration activities beyond the previously investigated southern targets. Each drilling operation encountered extensive low-sulphidation epithermal alteration, quartz veining and broad zones of adularia flooding, indicating a conducive environment for gold...
News Kenorland to acquire mineral claims in Canada The company will expand its Lang Lake Project by acquiring 10,200ha of claims and purchase 58,700ha to augment the Muskrat Dam Project. Shree Mishra March 27, 2026 Share Copy Link Share on X Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook The Lang Lake Project currently spans 84,000ha within the Birch-Uchi Subprovince. Credit: Parilaw/Shutterstock.com. Kenorland Minerals has signed purchase agreements to acquire full ownership of additional mineral claims in northern Ontario, Canada. The company will expand its Lang Lake Project by acquiring 10,200ha of claims from the McVicar Agreement Area in Ontario’s Birch-Uchi Subprovince. Go deeper with GlobalData Reports Fort Kent Project Reports Eleonore Mine Go deeper with GlobalData The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more Additionally, Kenorland will augment its Muskrat Dam Project through the purchase of 58,700ha of claims from the Rottenfish Agreement Area within the Muskrat Dam greenstone belt. The Lang Lake Project currently spans 84,000ha within the Birch-Uchi Subprovince and includes significant geological features such as folded iron formations. It is situated along the same...
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<p>Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG) has advanced its Phase Two Matawinie Mine project in Québec by signing a revised, binding long-form term sheet with the Canadian Government. This landmark agreement secures the purchase of 30,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of flake graphite concentrate on a take-or-pay basis for seven years, bolstering NMG's financial position and Canada's strategic imperative to establish a secure domestic supply chain for critical minerals essential to the electric vehicle (EV) battery sector.</p>
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North Bay Resources has significantly expanded its footprint in the Mexican mining sector, signing a binding Letter of Intent on March 27, 2026, to acquire Bendito Resources for a cash payment of $25 million. This strategic, debt-free acquisition brings a portfolio of advanced exploration and near-term production assets in Sonora and Chihuahua, Mexico, including the fully permitted Oposura project and the expansive Alacran project, poised to dramatically enhance North Bay's operational capabilities and resource base. The move underscores North Bay's aggressive growth strategy, complementing its recent increase in ownership of the Bishop Gold Mill in California.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), announced today, March 26, 2026, its plan to relocate its headquarters from the James V. Forrestal Building to the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) building. This strategic move, which involves the U.S. Department of Education vacating the LBJ building, is projected to save taxpayers over $350 million in deferred maintenance and modernization costs, aligning with the Trump Administration's broader initiative to streamline federal real estate and promote governmental efficiency. This relocation is significant for the mining industry as an optimized DOE operation can lead to more effective energy policies, critical minerals strategy, and R&D funding, ultimately impacting resource markets and supply chain resilience.
Strategic Energy Resources (SER) has secured over A$400,000 in grants from the Queensland Government's Collaboration Exploration Initiative (CEI) to advance drilling at its Diamantina Copper-Gold Project and Bulimba Gold Project. This funding, totaling A$275,000 for Diamantina and A$137,500 for Bulimba, is set to propel exploration efforts in critical minerals and precious metals within highly prospective regions of Queensland, underscoring the state's commitment to fostering new discoveries through supportive government programs. The Bulimba project is particularly notable for being the initial drilling phase under a non-binding joint venture agreement with Sumitomo Metal Mining Oceania (SMMO).
Lynas Rare Earths has signed a framework agreement with LS Eco Energy, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, to establish a strategic partnership for the production of rare earth metals. This collaboration involves LS Eco Energy constructing a new facility in Vietnam dedicated to processing Lynas' rare earth oxides into metal form, primarily for permanent magnet applications. The initiative, slated for March 26, 2026, aims to enhance the global rare earth supply chain by diversifying metallization capabilities outside traditional hubs, addressing critical demand for materials like metallised neodymium-praseodymium and heavy rare earths.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy has unveiled a significant $50 million Notice of Funding Opportunity aimed at bolstering energy reliability, access, and affordability within Tribal communities. This initiative, announced on March 25, 2026, supports both community-scale and large-scale Tribal-led energy project development, reflecting the administration's commitment to strengthening Tribal economies and energy independence. The investment is poised to have notable implications for the mining industry, particularly concerning localized energy supply, operational stability, and the responsible development of critical mineral resources in regions near or on Tribal lands.
Coppermoly has strategically broadened its Australian exploration footprint by acquiring a 100% stake in the Wyemandoo Project in Western Australia, a move announced on March 25, 2026. This acquisition, involving tenements from Aldoro Resources and Altilium Metals, significantly expands Coppermoly's critical minerals portfolio, complementing its existing Queensland projects with a focus on high-grade rubidium, titanium, tantalum, and tungsten within a promising pegmatite fairway. The newly secured 259.25km² project holds compelling initial drill and rock chip results, positioning it for immediate, targeted exploration, including 1,500m of planned reverse circulation drilling.
Chile, the world's second-largest lithium producer, is poised for significant output increases, with production estimated to reach 67,300 tonnes in 2026, primarily driven by ongoing expansions at SQM's Salar de Atacama operations. This growth unfolds against a backdrop of sweeping policy changes, including the nationalization of the lithium industry under President Boric's administration and the establishment of a landmark joint venture between state-owned Codelco and SQM, fostering a new era of public-private partnerships in the nation's critical mineral sector. These strategic moves aim to secure Chile's battery minerals for a green energy transition while reshaping the investment landscape for global mining stakeholders.
Canadian Uranium has announced an agreement to acquire Rook 2 Uranium, securing an exclusive option over 21 mineral claims spanning approximately 18,941 hectares in Saskatchewan's prolific Athabasca Basin. This strategic acquisition, involving a share exchange valued at 9,663,156 Canadian Uranium shares, positions the company to capitalize on a property described as having a "historic resource" within a world-renowned uranium district, signaling significant future growth and a strengthening of its asset portfolio in a buoyant uranium market.
Centaurus Metals has secured a crucial, non-binding Letter of Intent from Brazil's development bank, BNDES, for C$1 billion reais (approximately $190 million USD) in potential long-term debt funding for its Jaguar Nickel Project. This development, situated in Brazil's strategic Carajás Mineral Province, underscores the project's significance as a future supplier of responsibly produced nickel crucial for the global energy transition, aligning with BNDES's focus on critical minerals. The indicative funding will undergo further rigorous due diligence before final approval, positioning Jaguar as a key asset in the burgeoning battery metals sector.
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<p>In a significant development for the Pacific region's mining sector, Rio Tinto Exploration has formalized an earn-in agreement with LCL Resources for the Ono Project in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This partnership, announced on March 23, 2026, positions Rio Tinto to invest substantial capital and expertise, with an initial commitment of A$8 million, to explore for porphyry copper-gold deposits within the highly prospective Owen Stanley Metamorphic Belt. The deal provides LCL with critical funding while allowing its shareholders to retain exposure to potential major discoveries, underscoring PNG's enduring appeal for world-class mineral resource development.</p>
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New South Wales, Australia, a significant global coal exporter, announced on March 20, 2026, it will cease accepting new greenfield coal mine applications while permitting expansions of existing operations under stringent environmental and emissions standards. This strategic shift, outlined in the "NSW Coal Industry 2026–50" plan, simultaneously aims to meet net-zero targets by implementing strict methane emission regulations through its Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and support coal-reliant communities via a new Future Jobs and Investment Authority, reflecting a complex balancing act between economic imperatives and environmental commitments.
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<p>Canada and Peru have formally solidified their mining cooperation through a new Memorandum of Understanding signed on March 20, 2026. This strategic partnership aims to enhance bilateral investment, drive technological advancements in critical minerals around traceability and decarbonisation, and strengthen regulatory frameworks, further cementing Canada's significant role as a foreign investor in Peru's vibrant mining sector.</p>
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The U.S. Departments of Energy and Commerce, in partnership with SoftBank’s SB Energy and AEP Ohio, have announced a transformative $37.5 billion public-private initiative to redevelop federal land in Southern Ohio. This ambitious project aims to construct 10 gigawatts of new power generation, primarily natural gas, to fuel a colossal 10-gigawatt data center facility, significantly advancing America’s artificial intelligence capabilities and modernizing regional energy infrastructure. The initiative is poised to generate thousands of jobs, reduce electricity costs, and bolster national security, with substantial implications for the upstream natural gas sector and critical minerals supply chains.
Lynas Rare Earths has commenced initial production of samarium oxide at its Lynas Malaysia facility, significantly ahead of its initially forecast April 2026 schedule. This achievement expands Lynas' heavy rare earth oxide product range to three, reinforcing its critical role as the only commercial producer of separated heavy rare earths outside of China and contributing to the global diversification of critical mineral supply chains. The development is a key milestone in the company's "Towards 2030" growth strategy, aiming to substantially increase its heavy rare earth processing capabilities over the next two years.
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<p>Freeport-McMoRan has applied for environmental approval for a substantial $7.5 billion expansion project at its El Abra copper mine in Chile, signaling a critical move to boost global copper supply. If approved, the project, which includes new concentrator and desalination plants, is anticipated to commence operations in 2033, increasing annual copper output by more than 300,000 tonnes to meet soaring demand from electrification and AI sectors. This development unfolds amidst an evolving regulatory climate in Chile, with new governmental efforts to streamline permitting processes and attract significant foreign investment into the nation's vital mining sector.</p>
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News McLaren Minerals begins drilling work at titanium project The company is conducting a comprehensive and systematic drilling programme aimed at improving resource classification. Shree Mishra March 18, 2026 Share Copy Link Share on X Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook The campaign aims to upgrade resources from indicated to measured classification, employing a 150m × 150m grid drilling pattern. Credit: Maxim Maksimovich/Shutterstock.com. McLaren Minerals has announced the start of a 13,000m drilling campaign at the McLaren Titanium deposit in Western Australia. The company is conducting a comprehensive and systematic drilling programme aimed at improving resource classification, supplying data for future reserve evaluation and expanding the resource. Go deeper with GlobalData Reports Patrocinio Project Reports Meliadine Project Go deeper with GlobalData The gold standard of business intelligence. Find out more Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more The campaign focuses on upgrading large sections of the resource from indicated to measured classification, with specific areas to be drilled in a 150m × 150m grid pattern to enhance classification confidence. Additionally, parts of the deposit currently classified as inferred resources are being targeted for potential...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $500 million, aimed at significantly expanding domestic critical mineral and materials processing, derivative battery manufacturing, and recycling capabilities. Revealed on March 13, 2026, by the DOE's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), this funding initiative marks the third round of investment in strengthening the nation's battery supply chains, targeting key minerals like lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, and aluminum crucial for defense, grid resilience, and transportation sectors. This strategic move emphasizes reducing reliance on foreign actors, bolstering national security, and positioning the U.S. for energy dominance amidst rising global demand for advanced energy technologies.
Troilus Mining has officially advanced its long-term copper-gold concentrate offtake strategy by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boliden Commercial, building upon prior commercial terms. This agreement for its north-central Québec project, coupled with an earlier MoU with Aurubis, is critical for de-risking the project, securing a prospective $1 billion debt facility from international financial institutions, and moving towards a construction phase. The Troilus Project's May 2024 feasibility study projects an annual output of approximately 135.4 million pounds of copper equivalent, underscoring its significant scale and strategic importance within a jurisdiction recognized for stable, clean-energy mineral development.
Riverside Resources has finalized the acquisition of three key mineral concessions – La Famosa and Dana 7 – within its Union Project district in Sonora, Mexico, securing full ownership and eliminating future royalty burdens. This strategic consolidation, completed through its Mexican subsidiary RRM Exploración, enhances the company's district-scale land position and boosts exploration efforts for carbonate replacement deposit (CRD)-style gold-silver-polymetallic mineralization, backed by a significant exploration funding agreement with partner Questcorp. The move underscores Riverside's commitment to advancing its Mexican portfolio, following a multi-year option agreement initiated in 2021.
Harena Rare Earths has entered into an exclusivity agreement to potentially acquire a 100% stake in Paradigm Critical Minerals' rare earth and uranium assets located in San Bernardino County, California. This strategic move, reported on March 17, 2026, aligns with Harena's broader objective to bolster critical mineral supply chains, particularly within the United States, contingent upon comprehensive due diligence and internal approvals. The assets boast promising historical drilling results, including high-grade uranium mineralization and significant rare earth potential, situated in a region with established mining infrastructure near MP Materials' Mountain Pass Mine.