Cove Kaz Capital Group and Skyline Builders Group have signed a definitive merger agreement, anticipating the formation of Kaz Resources, a Nasdaq-listed entity under the ticker ‘KAZR’. This strategic consolidation aims to establish a global leader in critical minerals, particularly tungsten and rare earths, destined for the US defense and industrial sectors. The merger, which includes the significant acquisition of Kaz Critical Minerals' 15 licenses in Kazakhstan, is strategically poised to leverage substantial US government financial backing for its advanced exploration and late-stage projects.
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<p>In a strong start to the year for the mining sector, McCarthy Tetrault and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin emerged as the leading legal advisors for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during the first quarter of 2026. McCarthy Tetrault secured the top position by deal value, advising on transactions totaling an impressive $7.3 billion, while Fasken Martineau DuMoulin led by deal volume, handling seven distinct transactions. This robust activity, highlighted by a league table from data analytics company GlobalData, signals a buoyant M&A environment and continued strategic reshuffling within the global metals and mining industry.</p>
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<p>BMO Capital Markets has secured the leading position as the top financial advisor for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the global metals and mining sector during the first quarter of 2026. According to a comprehensive league table compiled by data analytics company GlobalData, the North American investment bank topped both deal value, advising on transactions totaling $8.7 billion across five deals, and deal volume. This achievement represents a significant leap from its Q1 2025 performance, underscoring its growing influence and strategic involvement in major sector transactions, including two billion-dollar deals that propelled it to the top.</p>
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Global lead production is projected to see a notable increase of 2.2% in 2026, reaching 4.68 million tonnes, driven by key ramp-ups and new project commencements in China, Mexico, and Peru. This short-term expansion follows a marginal 0.7% growth in 2025, which saw contributions from major producers like China and Russia, offset by declines in Australia and the US. Despite the near-term optimism, the long-term outlook to 2035 suggests overall marginal growth at a 0.5% compound annual growth rate, as new developments contend with anticipated mine closures and diminishing ore grades worldwide.
Fortescue, a leading Australian mining company, has declared a substantial A$952.44 million (US$680 million) investment in its Pilbara Green Energy Project. This initiative aims to establish a 200MW integrated off-grid renewable energy system in Western Australia, specifically designed to meet burgeoning industrial demand, including from data centers, and further advance the company's ambitious decarbonization goals beyond its Real Zero by 2030 targets. The project, slated for completion by 2028, signifies a critical step towards energy independence and a blueprint for sustainable heavy industry operations.
News Century Aluminum starts production at expanded Mt. Holly plant The expansion is projected to boost US primary aluminium production by 10%. Shree Mishra April 17, 2026 Share Copy Link Share on X Share on Linkedin Share on Facebook The facility is expected to add 750,000t to the nation’s aluminium production capacity. Credit: Lovember06/Shutterstock.com. Century Aluminum has initiated hot metal production at its expanded Mt. Holly facility in South Carolina, US. This expansion, aimed at reaching full capacity by June 2026, is expected to boost US primary aluminium production by 10%. Go deeper with GlobalData Reports Mountain Laurel Mine Reports Twentymile Coal 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 The project has resulted in the creation of more than 125 jobs. Additionally, Century, in collaboration with Emirates Global Aluminum, announced plans for a new primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma. This facility is expected to add 750,000t to the nation’s aluminium production capacity, effectively doubling it. The project represents a significant investment in US metal production and is set to generate...
Amidst the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, global oil supply chains are facing unprecedented pressure, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a US blockade of Iranian vessels. This geopolitical turmoil has significantly choked Middle Eastern oil exports from major producers like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, forcing a rapid scale-down in production. The ramifications are reverberating through global markets, with profound implications for energy-intensive sectors such as mining, as explored in the recent <em>Energy Technology: Industry Insights</em> podcast.
The global mining industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the adoption of autonomous operations and sophisticated digitalization. Central to this evolution is the deployment of private 5G networks, which are proving instrumental in enhancing safety, optimizing productivity, and enabling precise indoor positioning for both personnel and machinery. This article explores how these advanced technologies are future-proofing mining, with companies like Ericsson leading the charge in delivering crucial connectivity and positioning solutions.
A pioneering collaboration between Ericsson and mining equipment leader Epiroc is fundamentally transforming the global mining sector through the widespread deployment of private 4G/5G cellular networks. This strategic partnership, initiated in 2016, enables enhanced automation, real-time monitoring, and ultra-low latency control across mining operations, addressing critical industry demands for improved safety, productivity, cost efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. The integration of advanced connectivity with modern mining machinery is setting a new standard for the mine of the future, as exemplified by projects like the EU-funded NEXGENS initiative.
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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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Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) has dramatically strengthened its position as a leading domestic uranium producer with the official commencement of operations at its Burke Hollow project in Texas. This milestone marks the first new in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium operation in the United States in over a decade, establishing UEC as the sole U.S. company with two active ISR facilities and reinforcing the nation's push for a secure, domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. The project, tapping into a significant uranium resource in the Texas Uranium Belt, is set to bolster UEC's processing capabilities at its Hobson Central Processing Plant and signals a robust expansion strategy for the Vancouver-based miner.
Despite global geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran war, the world's leading mining companies demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first quarter of 2026. The MINING.COM TOP 50 miners collectively reached a market capitalization of $2.41 trillion, adding $250 billion year-to-date, signaling a strong performance across most commodities and a significant expansion of the exclusive $100-billion club. However, this overall positive trend masked mixed fortunes for individual companies, with strategic shifts and operational challenges leading to notable underperformance for some key players.
Zacatecas Silver has commenced its 2026 diamond drilling program at the high-potential El Cristo Project within Mexico’s historic Zacatecas Mining District. The initial hole, completed by Major Drilling Mexico, successfully intersected a mineralized brecciated structure featuring visible sulfides such as galena and sphalerite, validating the company's targeting strategy. This early success signals promising potential for high-grade silver and base metal mineralization in a region renowned for its rich epithermal deposits.
