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.
Silver Sands Resources has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Fairfield Gold Project in Mexico’s State of Nayarit from Fairfields Gold. This strategic move, involving approximately $675,000 in cash and 5.15 million common shares over four years, positions Silver Sands to explore a historically significant property with high-grade gold and silver mineralization identified by ASARCO nearly a century ago. The acquisition underscores the project's exploration potential within Mexico, a key mining jurisdiction.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright recently announced a series of significant agreements at the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia, signaling a substantial increase in American energy influence across Central and Eastern Europe. These deals, valued at billions of dollars in private capital, are set to bolster the region's energy security through expanded U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) imports, new natural gas infrastructure, and advancements in civil nuclear cooperation, including the deployment of U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The initiatives are anchored by the formal launch of the "Trump Peace Pipelines Framework," aiming to solidify the U.S. as a premier energy partner and create significant demand across the mining and construction sectors.
EVelution Energy has secured a significant $850 million, five-year cobalt offtake agreement with Japanese trading giant Mitsui, announced on April 29, 2026. This landmark deal will see Mitsui receive the majority of cobalt output from EVelution Energy’s new Arizona processing facility, set to become the first commercial-scale cobalt metal and cobalt sulphate plant in the United States. The agreement underscores a concerted effort by the US and Japan to diversify critical mineral supply chains, enhance domestic refining capabilities, and mitigate strategic dependence on non-allied nations for essential materials like cobalt.
LaFleur Minerals has announced a strategic acquisition of the McKenzie East Gold Project in Québec’s prolific Val-d’Or mining district. This move positions LaFleur adjacent to Fresnillo’s significant McKenzie Break Gold Deposit and aims to bolster the company's vertically integrated mine-to-mill strategy by defining new resources to feed its nearby Beacon Gold Mill. The acquisition, valued at C$30,000 cash and 175,000 common shares, underscores LaFleur's aggressive expansion in one of Canada's premier gold-producing regions, complemented by promising drilling results from its Swanson Gold Project.
Neotech Metals has significantly expanded its footprint in Ontario's critical minerals landscape by acquiring the Torrance Project from Kenorland Minerals. This strategic move, announced on April 29, 2026, secures a 100% interest in 580 mining claims covering 12,270 hectares, positioning Neotech to explore for niobium, tantalum, and rare earth elements within the geologically promising Kapuskasing Structural Zone, proximate to its existing Hecla-Kilmer Project. The C$5 million deal, involving 1,000,000 Neotech shares and a drilling commitment, underscores the growing industry focus on securing domestic supply chains for vital technology metals.
Power Minerals has successfully completed the acquisition of the high-grade Morro do Ferro (MDF) rare earths project in Brazil from Mineração Terras Raras, strengthening its critical minerals portfolio in the region. This strategic move, finalized on April 27, 2026, positions Power Minerals in a region known for its rare earth resources and significant concentrations of magnetic rare earth oxides vital for modern technologies. The project’s promising drill results and plans for extensive exploration underscore its potential to contribute to a diversified global rare earth supply chain.
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.
Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) has commenced construction of its new monazite processing plant in the Western Cape, South Africa, a significant development positioning the nation as a prospective producer of high-grade rare earth feedstock. This project, fully permitted and owned by Steenkampskraal Holdings and Bora Mining Investments, aims to produce 13,400 tonnes per annum of monazite concentrate containing over 50% total rare earth oxides, contributing vital critical minerals to global supply chains for renewable energy and defence sectors.
Silver Crown Royalties Inc. has forged a strategic partnership with Emergency Material Services (EMS) to significantly expand its US silver royalty platform. This collaboration, announced on April 22, 2026, aims to infuse non-dilutive capital into domestic silver production, recycling, smelting, and refining operations, leveraging a structured financing model that mitigates operational risks while capitalizing on the surging demand for silver in electrification and advanced manufacturing. The initiative positions Silver Crown to scale its exposure to the growing US silver market through royalties and streaming agreements, offering investors a de-risked pathway to participate in the commodity's anticipated growth.
Quaise Energy, an MIT spin-off, is making significant strides towards developing the world's first superhot geothermal power plant, Project Obsidian, in Oregon, USA. This ambitious undertaking aims to tap into rock formations exceeding 300 degrees Celsius, validated by recent analyses presented at the 2026 Stanford Geothermal Workshop, projecting an initial capacity of 50 megawatts by 2030, with plans to scale to a gigawatt. The pioneering initiative promises continuous, clean baseload electricity and signals a potential paradigm shift for global renewable energy landscapes, opening regions previously inaccessible to geothermal power.
Magnetite Mines announced on April 21, 2026, the initiation of up to 2,000m of air core drilling at its Ironback Hill rare earth element (REE) project in north-east South Australia. This program, following delays from significant rain and flooding, aims to define the extent and characteristics of the near-surface, clay-hosted REE mineralisation discovered in 2025. The exploration is a pivotal step for the company in advancing what could become a strategically important source of critical minerals within Australia.
Spanish Mountain Gold has entered a definitive royalty agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals, divesting a 1.5% net smelter returns (NSR) royalty on its British Columbia gold and silver production for $55 million. This crucial financing injection will accelerate the feasibility study for the Spanish Mountain Gold project, providing the necessary capital to target a build decision in 2028. The deal underscores the strategic importance of non-dilutive financing mechanisms for advancing significant precious metal assets in Tier 1 mining jurisdictions.
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<p>In a significant move for critical minerals supply chain resilience, Texas-based Amermin and Ulterra Drilling Technologies have announced a global expansion of their recycling partnership. This collaboration now includes the processing of Ulterra’s waste streams from Canada and Argentina, supplementing their existing U.S. operations, to recover vital materials like tungsten, cobalt, and nickel. The expansion, supported by an $11.5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant awarded to Amermin earlier this year, aims to bolster domestic and allied critical minerals supply, reducing reliance on geopolitically sensitive sources.</p>
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An environmental advocacy group, the National Parks Conservation Association, represented by Earthjustice, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior over its 2025 approval of Dateline Resources' Colosseum rare earth mining project within the Mojave National Preserve. This legal challenge, citing alleged violations of federal laws and a lack of proper permits, positions a vital critical minerals initiative against long-standing environmental protections for one of California's most significant national park sites. The dispute underscores the persistent tension between domestic resource extraction and conservation, with potential implications for the broader U.S. critical minerals supply chain and investor confidence in such projects.
Mogotes Metals has secured an option-to-joint-venture agreement with Kennecott Exploration Company, a Rio Tinto subsidiary, for the Copper Cliff Project in Montana, US. This strategic partnership enables Mogotes to invest up to $56 million over six years to earn a 60% interest in the gold-copper porphyry asset, leveraging Kennecott's extensive historical exploration data from the property. The agreement signifies a significant revitalization effort for a historically productive mining district and underscores the growing industry interest in North American critical minerals.
Northern Lithium, a crucial player in the UK's emerging critical minerals sector, has secured £600,000 in UK Government funding alongside £5 million in equity investments to accelerate its 2026 development plans. This capital infusion will support a vital front-end engineering design (FEED) feasibility study for a commercial-scale lithium-from-brines plant at Ludwell Farm, County Durham, with commercial production targeted for 2028. The initiative aims to significantly bolster the UK's domestic lithium supply, reduce its 100% import dependency, and contribute to its ambitious net-zero and electric vehicle manufacturing goals.
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...
Origen Resources has announced its intent to acquire a significant rare earth elements (REEs) project in north-eastern Brazil, covering over 33,000 hectares across Piauí and Bahia states, with initial soil sampling indicating a 4km by 6km anomalous REE zone peaking at 282 ppm TREO+Y. This strategic move positions Origen as a major landholder in an emerging REE belt, targeting critical ion adsorption clay-hosted deposits and capitalizing on Brazil's potential to diversify global REE supply chains.
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.
