STRABAG subsidiary ZÜBLIN will develop more than 54 kilometres of tunnels and critical infrastructure for Codelco’s Mina Norte sector, in a major step in Chuquicamata’s transition from open pit to long-life underground mining.
Yttrium and scandium shortages are worsening for U.S. aerospace and semiconductor suppliers despite a U.S.-China trade truce, raising pressure on critical industrial supply chains.
The initiative backed by President Daniel Noboa changes the environmental approval system for mining, strengthens measures against illegal mining and seeks to attract new investment, while drawing criticism from environmental and indigenous groups.
Argentina’s Senate approved a glacier law reform backed by Javier Milei’s government, a move aimed at unlocking mining investment but criticized by environmental groups over water protection risks.
Panama’s economy expanded 4% in 2025, driven mainly by services, but business leaders say reopening First Quantum’s Cobre Panama mine will be critical if the country wants to lift GDP growth to as much as 6% by 2027.
The global zinc market remained in deficit in 2025, with demand outpacing supply despite higher mine and refined production, according to ILZSG data.
Security concerns, cartel violence and permitting headwinds are increasing investor scrutiny of mining exposure to Mexico, according to new reports from TD Cowen and security analysts.
Argentina is debating changes to its 2010 Glacier Law that could ease restrictions on mining in high-altitude areas, intensifying the clash between investment goals and environmental protection.
The miner will allocate the investment to restart and expand the Cerro Negro Expansion 1 project, aiming to extend the operation beyond 2035 while strengthening operational safety, employment and regional development in Santa Cruz.
Epiroc will launch the Uphole Brake at PDAC 2026 in Toronto and showcase drilling automation products including the Diamec Automated Rod Magazine.
Edward Jones says the US Supreme Court decision on IEEPA tariffs is likely to have limited direct impact on Canada because Section 232 tariffs and CUSMA dynamics remain more important.
Lundin Gold signed a binding term sheet to sell a life-of-mine silver stream on Ecuador’s Fruta del Norte mine to LunR Royalties in a C$670 million stream-for-equity transaction.
Gold climbed above $5,200 per ounce as US tariff uncertainty and tensions around Iran boosted safe-haven demand, while silver also moved sharply higher.
CBPM is seeking an emergency injunction to challenge the transfer of Equinox Gold’s Bahia Complex to CMOC, alleging Equinox lacked ownership rights to sell the concession.
Chile’s Antofagasta Court of Appeals voided a prior environmental court ruling in the Dominga case, sending Andes Iron’s $2.5 billion project back into legal uncertainty.
Vale said it expects to invest $3.5 billion in Carajás copper projects between 2026 and 2030, with annual spending rising from $300 million to $1.1 billion.
Nova Andino Litio, the SQM-Codelco joint venture, produced 233,000 metric tons LCE in 2025, slightly above guidance, as it advances expansion plans in Chile’s Atacama salt flat.
India and Brazil signed a mining and minerals cooperation pact as Prime Minister Narendra Modi targets bilateral trade of more than US$20 billion in five years.
Venezuela’s gold reserves fell 11% in 2025 to 47 tons, according to Central Bank figures seen by Reuters. Reserve value rose to US$6.63 billion due to higher gold prices.
The US Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that President Donald Trump lacked authority under the IEEPA to impose sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs.
The two-phase plan targets higher copper/zinc recoveries and evaluates gold-silver doré production from a pyrite concentrate.
Copper advanced on the LME after the US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration exceeded its authority in imposing sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs, boosting risk sentiment. LME copper settled up 1.2% at $12,964/t.
Gold advanced as the dollar weakened after the US Supreme Court struck down a large portion of President Donald Trump’s sweeping global “reciprocal” tariffs. Investors are now assessing the White House’s fallback options and the prospect of a long legal fight.
Codelco expects production at its El Teniente mine to stay around 300,000 tonnes a year through the end of the decade after the July 2025 rockburst that killed six workers, while investigations widen over alleged reporting irregularities linked to a 2023 incident.
BMO Capital Markets’ Ilan Bahar and Jamie Rogers say extreme swings in copper and precious metals are making it harder for buyers and sellers to agree on value—potentially slowing mining M&A in 2026 despite strong balance sheets and investor appetite.
Vale is selling control of Manitoba’s Thompson nickel complex to Exiro Minerals, Orion Resource Partners and Canada Growth Fund, forming Exiro Nickel. The group will invest up to US$200 million in a turnaround plan, with Vale retaining 18.9%.
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence says the US can meet 146% of copper demand from mining and scrap, but exports 48% of concentrate due to limited smelting and refining capacity—leaving manufacturers reliant on imported refined copper.
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