Global Scans · Mining · Weekly Summary

• [New] The 2026 mission is set to test the technologies that could make off-world mining a practical reality, creating a blueprint for the first interplanetary supply chain. BusinessCraft Nordic
• [New] An optimistic scenario envisions mining exports reaching $10+ billion by 2030, driven by continued commodity price strength and successful expansion of existing operations. Discovery Alert
• [New] By 2026, over 1,200 autonomous mining trucks are projected to operate globally, optimizing haulage in major mines. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, autonomous mining trucks are expected to reduce mining-related greenhouse gas emissions by 20-25% in leading operations. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, sustainable lithium mining could supply material for over 10 million electric vehicle batteries annually. Farmonaut
• [New] Data-Driven Trend: By 2026, over 60% of new U.S. rare earth mining projects are projected to use satellite data and AI for first-phase exploration and ongoing mineral prospectivity mapping. Farmonaut
• [New] The regulatory treatment of the Rio Tinto-Glencore merger approval China decisions will establish precedents influencing future mining sector consolidation patterns. Discovery Alert
• [New] Discovery Alert's proprietary Discovery IQ model delivers instant notifications on significant ASX mineral discoveries, empowering investors to identify actionable opportunities as mining consolidation and resource nationalism reshape global markets. Discovery Alert
• [New] As sustainable, responsible mining becomes non-negotiable in 2026, advanced mineral intelligence is redefining how cobalt mine Africa identifies opportunities, mitigates impacts, and streamlines critical operations. Farmonaut
• [New] Sustainable mining practices could reduce cobalt mining's carbon footprint by up to 60% by 2026. Farmonaut
• [New] By 2026, the most successful mining companies will no longer compete solely on hashrate but will be enterprises that control the entire chain of energy, hardware, and operations, thereby reducing the production cost per Bitcoin. ODaily
• [New] The most noteworthy trend of 2025 was the strategic pivot of mining companies towards AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC), a trend that will intensify further in 2026. ODaily
• [New] Reuters' framing emphasizes supply-chain diversification; environmental groups and some coastal states may stress ecological risk and governance gaps in deep-sea mining regimes. Geopolitical Newsletter
• [New] Norway recently paused deep-sea mining licenses until 2029, while BMW, Volvo and Google have pledged not to purchase metals produced from deep-sea mines until environmental risks are better understood. The Conversation
• [New] Seabed mining could play an increasingly critical role in meeting global battery metal requirements, particularly if terrestrial mining capacity struggles to scale sufficiently. Discovery Alert
• [New] The transformation trajectory indicates Argentina's evolution from commodity potential to established mining powerhouse, with implications extending throughout South America's resource landscape and global supply chain dynamics. Discovery Alert
• SpaceX's 2026 Mars mission represents more than human exploration - it could be the starting point for humanity's first interplanetary mining economy. BusinessCraft Nordic
• By combining cutting-edge robotics, AI, and ISRU technology, SpaceX's mission could transform Mars into a proving ground for sustainable mining, industrial self-sufficiency, and the expansion of human civilization into space. BusinessCraft Nordic
• Australia plans to buy and stockpile minerals essential for defence and advanced technologies from domestic mining companies to help strengthen global supply chains. Yahoo Finance
• While natural graphite mining is diversifying into Africa and other regions, the biggest vulnerability lies in spherical graphite purification and the energy-intensive production of synthetic graphite. Informachine Private Limited

Last updated: 23 January 2026