Global Scans · Mining · Weekly Summary

• [New] The DRC shall endeavor to use DRC SOEs' minority ownership of mining assets to facilitate investment opportunities for U.S. persons and aligned persons. United States Department of State
• [New] MP Materials - already notable as the first company to receive a US government equity stake during the Trump administration - announced it will build a rare earths refinery in Saudi Arabia through a joint venture with Saudi mining firm Ma'aden and MP Materials and the US Department of Defense (DoD). New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Newsletter
• [New] Nations that streamline permitting, invest in workforce development, and scale next-generation mining technologies will shape the global supply landscape for decades. Global Mining Review
• [New] African Mining Development Coordination: World Bank's Minerals for Climate Action program targets $2.5+ billion in financing for sustainable mining projects across Africa from 2024-2030, partially aligned with MSP ESG standards and governance requirements. Discovery Alert
• [New] Seabed mining: Potato-sized accretions on the ocean floor could help break China's dominance of some key supply chains. Rand Corporation
• [New] By 2026, digital solutions such as Farmonaut's workforce advisory and resource support platforms can be tailored to assist survivors-offering AI-driven, location-specific guidance on re-entering local employment markets in relevant sectors like agriculture, forestry, and mining. Farmonaut
• [New] Participation in the Argentine mining boom could enhance Taiwan's leverage in the global competition over supply chains, particularly vis-a-vis the PRC. Global Taiwan Institute
• [New] International mining ventures in West Africa increasingly rely on sophisticated partnership structures that distribute operational, financial, and political risks across multiple stakeholders. Discovery Alert
• [New] In 2025, Gate Mining will maintain its leadership in transforming cryptocurrency mining into a high-cost, high-energy practice into a modern, responsible, and inclusive digital operation. TechBullion
• [New] Major technology companies including Tesla and Apple have established carbon intensity requirements for suppliers, creating premium pricing opportunities for mining companies that can demonstrate low-carbon production methods. Discovery Alert
• [New] Industry analysts maintain projections for substantial cumulative uranium deficits through the mid-2030s as nuclear capacity additions outpace mining production expansion. Discovery Alert
• [New] Quantum computing applications in mining optimization could deliver 20-30% efficiency gains by 2030 through solving complex optimization problems that exceed classical computing capabilities. Discovery Alert
• [New] 41% of major mining companies have committed to 100% renewable energy for operations by 2030, representing substantial progress from 22% in 2020. Discovery Alert
• [New] Roughly 70% of global supply comes from South Africa - an ecosystem defined by load shedding, labour instability, deep-level mining risks, declining grades, rising costs, and chronic underinvestment. investing.com
• [New] By 2026, Otjikoto Mine's operations encompass both open-pit and underground mining. Farmonaut
• [New] The uranium mining sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation as 2026 approaches, driven by rising energy demands, a renewed focus on low-carbon solutions, and rapid technological advancements. Farmonaut
• [New] The mining industry in 2025 has faced a landscape shaped by volatility, stakeholder scrutiny, digital disruption and the urgent need to decarbonise. MST Global

Last updated: 26 December 2025