Global Scans · Mining · Weekly Summary

• [New] Artists all over the world are celebrating the entry into force of the Global Ocean Treaty, also marking the beginning of a crucial four-year countdown to protect 30% of the world's ocean by 2030 and stop deep sea mining before it begins. Greenpeace International
• [New] Water could be used to make fuel on-site, thus expanding further mining and general space exploration without relying on resources from Earth. Discover Magazine
• [New] Synthetic LNG could reduce mining sector greenhouse emissions by up to 30% by 2026, enhancing sustainability. Farmonaut
• [New] Botswana moves to broaden its mining base beyond diamonds, boosting exploration for critical minerals as global diamond demand softens and lab-grown alternatives gain traction, pushing diversification and investment opportunities. Diamond World
• [New] Opportunities may emerge in the mining sector, specifically companies like Freeport-McMoRan or MP Materials Corp., as the race to secure Greenland's mineral deposits intensifies through diplomatic or corporate means. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Key Insight: While electrification and renewable energy integration are progressing, the scale and remoteness of global mining operations means crude oil products will remain fundamental through at least 2026 - especially in mobile equipment and off-grid environments. Farmonaut
• [New] Asteroid mining is catching the attention of the Space Force due to its potential for resource acquisition and technological development. KeepTrack
• [New] Over 45% of new mining investments in 2026 will include satellite-based exploration analytics, reducing both petroleum use and environmental footprint. Farmonaut
• [New] Private equity investments in mining are projected to target $80 billion in critical minerals by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] Mining will play a pivotal role in the global transition to a low-carbon infrastructure, especially as demand for critical minerals for batteries, renewable energy systems, and electronics continues to surge. Farmonaut
• [New] A Japanese research vessel has scraped sediment from the ocean floor at a depth of some 6000 meters around the Pacific island of Minamitorishima, in a first-of-its-kind test of the potential for sea mining rare earth minerals. Foreign Exchanges
• [New] The trajectory of the US deep sea mining industry expansion will significantly influence America's position in the global critical minerals landscape. Discovery Alert
• Global battery manufacturing capacity is projected to increase by 400% between 2025 and 2030, requiring substantial increases in nickel, cobalt, and copper availability that existing terrestrial mining operations cannot readily supply. Discovery Alert
• Structural Supply Shortages and Global Demand Imbalances: Production outages, geopolitical supply disruptions, and chronic underinvestment in mining have constrained supply, while demand from electrification, renewable energy buildouts, and data center growth remain robust. Blakely Walters
• Following approval in mid-2025, underground mining has commenced, with stope ore now feeding the mill and underground output expected to ramp up significantly in 2026. Global Flow Control
• Global mining investment will be dominated by three main drivers in 2026: geopolitics, the energy transition, cautious capital investment. The Oregon Group - Investment Insights
• By 2026, drone-based 3D mapping is projected to shorten survey times by up to 60% in mining projects. Farmonaut
• Mining funds in 2026 are projected to increase global sustainable extraction investments by 18% compared to 2024 levels. Farmonaut
• Autonomous mining equipment adoption reached 14% of new equipment purchases in 2024 and is projected to achieve 35-40% adoption by 2030. Discovery Alert
• By 2026, IGR Gold's eco-friendly techniques are projected to reduce mining emissions by up to 40%. Farmonaut
• The successful implementation of deep-sea mining operations could fundamentally restructure global critical mineral markets, shifting supply patterns and competitive dynamics across multiple industrial sectors. Discovery Alert
• The expansion of mining operations, especially in sensitive regions like California's Salton Sea, carries significant environmental and social risks. Ainvest

Last updated: 20 February 2026