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Critical minerals news
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38 of 211 items
28 Oct 2026 · KapitalFM (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) · official source
Nigeria inaugurates committee with the US on solid minerals and denies selling mineral assets
Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake inaugurated a Nigeria-United States Committee on Strategic Cooperation in the Solid Minerals Sector in Abuja to link US investors with Nigerian operators, promote local processing and technology transfer. He rejected reports of a USD 700 billion asset sale to the US and said local processing is now a condition for granting mineral titles.
26 Oct 2026 · Energy Fuels
Australian state lenders conditionally back A$180 million for Donald rare earths and mineral sands project
Energy Fuels said Export Finance Australia (up to A$70 million) and the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (up to A$110 million) conditionally approved most of a proposed A$200 million senior debt facility for Phase 1 of the Donald project in Victoria, its joint venture with Astron. Phase 1 would yield about 9,000 t a year of monazite-xenotime concentrate for Energy Fuels; a final investment decision is targeted for end-2026.
23 Oct 2026 · US Department of Energy · official source
US Energy Department adds helium to its Critical Material List
Energy Secretary Chris Wright designated helium a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020, citing its role in semiconductor manufacturing and other uses with no practical substitute, demand growing faster than supply, and limited US refining capacity and slow permitting. A notice with the supporting assessment followed in the Federal Register on 27 October.
20 Oct 2026 · Federal Register (US Department of the Interior) · official source
US sets 19 November auction of two seabed mineral lease areas off American Samoa
The Interior Department's Marine Minerals Administration published the final notice for Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 1, an ascending oral auction on 19 November 2026 of two Outer Continental Shelf lease areas off American Samoa covering roughly 16.3 million and 15.2 million acres. Leases would cover minerals in polymetallic nodules and ferromanganese crusts, with a minimum bonus bid of USD 3 million per area.
15 Oct 2026 · Mining.com.au
US companies study rare earth mining and processing investments in Malaysia
Several US firms are considering rare earth mining projects with local partners and processing investments in Malaysia, the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur said after hosting a forum, building on a bilateral critical minerals agreement signed a year earlier. A 2024 government study estimated Malaysia's possible rare earth resources at about 16.2 million tonnes, based on limited geological evidence.
14 Oct 2026 · Mining Technology
Ionic Rare Earths files planning application for Belfast magnet recycling plant
Ionic Rare Earths lodged a planning application with Belfast City Council for a commercial rare earth magnet recycling plant on Queen's Island, with a decision expected in early 2027. It is pursuing a GBP 12 million UK capital grant through the Automotive Transformation Fund, plans construction from the third quarter of 2027, and has signed a non-binding term sheet for a magnet recycling joint venture in Missouri.
13 Oct 2026 · Mining Technology
Trafigura signs ten-year take-or-pay lithium offtake with EnergyX for Chile and Texas projects
Trafigura agreed to buy 100,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium products from EnergyX over ten years on a take-or-pay basis: lithium carbonate from the Black Giant project in Antofagasta, Chile, and lithium hydroxide from Project Lonestar in Texas. EnergyX values the deal at over US$2 billion, targets production in 2028 in Chile and 2029 in Texas, and says the offtake supports financing that includes a non-binding US$690 million EXIM letter of interest.
13 Oct 2026 · Federal Register (NOAA) · official source
NOAA opens comment on Eco Minerals deep-seabed exploration licence application
NOAA found an exploration licence application from Eco Minerals Inc. compliant with the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and opened public comment until 14 December 2026, with a virtual hearing on 16 November. The application covers areas beyond national jurisdiction in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and between Guam and Wake Island.
12 Oct 2026 · MiningFocus Africa
US DFC plans more equity investments in African critical minerals
The US International Development Finance Corporation intends to make more direct equity investments in Africa, including in critical minerals, to help diversify supply away from China, its regional managing director for Africa said. The DFC reports over US$14 billion committed in Africa, more than US$3 billion of it for critical minerals, with a pipeline that includes rare earth projects and a graphite mine in Mozambique.
8 Oct 2026 · Mining Technology
Aclara and CAP open rare earth metals demonstration plant in Chile
Aclara Metals, a 50:50 venture of Aclara Resources and steelmaker CAP, opened a molten salt electrolysis plant at the Huachipato steelworks in Talcahuano that turns neodymium and praseodymium oxides into metals and alloys. Designed for up to 175 kg of metal a day, it will supply operating data for a planned industrial plant in Louisiana, and a later phase could add dysprosium alloys.
8 Oct 2026 · Mining Technology
Titan Mining and US Army agree terms for graphite plant at Anniston depot
Titan Mining's Empire State Mines signed a term sheet with the US Department of the Army to lease about 97 acres at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama for a graphite processing plant. The 50-year lease, renewable up to 100 years, would give the Army the option to buy up to 10% of specified output and still needs company, Army and congressional approval.
6 Oct 2026 · Mining Technology
Westwin Elements plans US$502 million Class 1 nickel refinery in Mississippi
Westwin Elements announced a five-year, US$502 million plan for a nickel refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site in Natchez, Mississippi, targeting 18,000 tonnes a year of Class 1 nickel from 2029 in its first phase. The company runs a carbonyl-refining demonstration plant in Oklahoma, and construction still depends on financing, permits and engineering.
4 Oct 2026 · Mining.com.au
NOAA maps seabed nodule areas near American Samoa as Deep Sea Minerals pursues US licence
TSX-listed Deep Sea Minerals said a NOAA expedition aboard the Okeanos Explorer, which began on 24 September, is mapping deepwater areas near American Samoa, including zones with polymetallic nodules. The company, which has applied for a US exploration licence through its subsidiary American Deep Sea Minerals, is also looking at the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and Pacific jurisdictions such as the Cook Islands.
3 Oct 2026 · Mining.com.au
Freeport says Grasberg recovery in Indonesia is on track, with full capacity by end-2027
Freeport-McMoRan said the phased ramp-up of the Grasberg Block Cave, disrupted by a fatal mud rush in September 2025, progressed in the third quarter, with mill throughput at about two-thirds of pre-incident rates. It expects about 80% by mid-2027 and full capacity by the end of 2027; its East Java smelter restarted in late August.
2 Oct 2026 · 6K Additive (ASX)
6K Additive signs US$27.4 million EXIM loan to expand US critical metal powder output
6K Additive executed a six-year, USD 27.4 million loan with the US Export-Import Bank to expand its plant in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, which makes nickel, titanium, tungsten and other refractory metal powders for aerospace and defence. The loan was approved under EXIM's Make More in America initiative in coordination with the Defense Production Act Title III programme.
2 Oct 2026 · Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX)
Sunrise Energy Metals to move domicile to the US and list on Nasdaq
Sunrise Energy Metals signed a scheme deed to redomicile its parent company from Australia to a Delaware holding company with a primary Nasdaq listing and a secondary ASX listing. The company links the move to a conditional offer of up to USD 400 million in debt from the US Office of Strategic Capital for its Syerston scandium project in New South Wales.
1 Oct 2026 · American Battery Technology Company (GlobeNewswire)
American Battery Technology gets US licence to export up to US$100 million of recycled black mass
American Battery Technology Company said the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security approved an export licence covering up to USD 100 million of recycled black mass from its plant near Reno, Nevada. The approval follows new federal export controls on critical battery materials; destination countries were not disclosed.
1 Oct 2026 · Ecofin Agency
Aura Energy readies Mauritania's Tiris uranium project for construction
Aura Energy appointed a new president, finance chief and strategy chief as it moves the Tiris project, set to be Mauritania's first uranium mine, toward construction. A final investment decision is expected by end-2026; the roughly USD 230 million build is to be funded partly by a USD 150–170 million debt package under negotiation with the US DFC.
1 Oct 2026 · Investing News Network
US start-up Supra wins Defense Logistics Agency contract to recover scandium from industrial waste
Austin-based Supra Elemental Recovery won a Phase I SBIR contract from the Defense Logistics Agency to test recovering high-purity scandium from US industrial by-products. The University of Texas spin-out uses reusable cartridges to capture target metals; the US currently imports all of its scandium.
30 Sept 2026 · U.S. Department of Energy · official source
US DOE selects 17 national laboratory projects for $29.5M in mining technology funding
The Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation selected 17 projects at 12 national laboratories under its Mine of the Future initiative. The work targets technologies such as in-situ extraction, AI-assisted ore mapping, electrochemical leaching and recovery from low-grade ore and tailings, aiming to move them toward field testing.
29 Sept 2026 · U.S. Geological Survey · official source
USGS publishes updated inventory of 1,271 known US critical mineral deposits
The US Geological Survey released an updated database of known domestic deposits covering 59 critical minerals across 41 states and Puerto Rico. About a third of the 1,271 deposits have documented resources but no recorded production. The compilation now includes minerals added to the 2025 US critical minerals list and is intended to guide Earth MRI airborne survey priorities.
29 Sept 2026 · World Nuclear News
General Matter files NRC licence application for Paducah uranium enrichment plant
General Matter submitted a licence application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a commercial enrichment plant on leased DOE land at Paducah, Kentucky. It plans to produce low-enriched and high-assay low-enriched uranium by 2030, with a HALEU amendment due next year.
25 Sept 2026 · Rinnovabili
US-China trade truce extended to January 2027, keeping suspension of tighter rare earth curbs
The United States and China extended their trade truce by two months to 10 January 2027, keeping current tariff levels and the suspension of China's expanded rare earth export restrictions. Licensing requirements introduced in April 2025 for several medium and heavy rare earths, such as samarium, gadolinium and terbium, remain in force.
25 Sept 2026 · Ecofin Agency
US trade agency funds power study for copper and cobalt mining areas in DRC and Zambia
The US Trade and Development Agency awarded a USD 3 million grant to Anzana Electric Group on 22 September for a feasibility study on hydropower rehabilitation, new generation and distribution networks serving mines in the DRC and Zambia. The award extends US engagement around the Lobito corridor to electricity supply for the Copperbelt.
25 Sept 2026 · Ecofin Agency
South Africa proposes critical-minerals investment partnership with the United States
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, South Africa's trade and industry minister outlined a proposed critical-minerals partnership with the US, including a joint investment platform involving US finance agencies and a bilateral working group. Pretoria's central condition is that investment extends into local refining and processing of minerals such as PGMs, manganese, chromium and vanadium.
25 Sept 2026 · Mining Technology
US tungsten firm Elmet takes 4.99% stake in Vietnam's Masan High-Tech Materials
Elmet Group agreed to buy a 4.99% stake in Masan High-Tech Materials at an implied equity value of USD 2.5 billion, alongside an eight-year deal for about 1,250 tonnes a year of tungsten trioxide-equivalent products for the US market. Masan Group keeps a controlling stake of roughly 87%, and the share purchase was expected to close in the first half of October.
24 Sept 2026 · Mining Technology
Mercuria commits US$500 million to US VaultCo critical minerals stockpile
Commodity trader Mercuria committed USD 500 million as an anchor partner in Project Vault, now operating as VaultCo, the US strategic minerals stockpile backed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Glencore was separately named to source critical minerals for the platform; the announcement was made at an event in New York during the UN General Assembly week.
23 Sept 2026 · The Korea Times
Korea Zinc's US$7.4 billion Tennessee critical minerals smelter clears US environmental review
Korea Zinc's Project Crucible in Tennessee received a finding of no significant environmental impact after the US defence department completed its final environmental assessment in September 2026. The complex is planned to produce 12 non-ferrous products, including gallium, germanium, indium and antimony, with output starting in 2029 and full operation in 2030.
23 Sept 2026 · Ecofin Agency
Nigeria and the United States move toward a critical-minerals cooperation memorandum
Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development chaired a meeting in New York on 22 September where Nigeria and the US discussed cooperation from exploration to processing and planned to sign a memorandum of understanding. No specific projects or investment amounts had been announced; Nigeria's lithium and rare earths were cited as areas of interest.
23 Sept 2026 · Glencore
Glencore named founding partner of US VaultCo critical minerals reserve with EXIM financing
Glencore said it was selected as a founding partner of VaultCo, the company implementing the US strategic critical minerals reserve known as Project Vault, committing US$500 million of minerals. Financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States will support Glencore's sourcing and delivery of materials into the reserve. Mercuria reportedly made a parallel US$500 million commitment.
23 Sept 2026 · Mining Technology
Nth Cycle signs 10-year, US$1bn battery recycling supply deal with Glencore
US refiner Nth Cycle agreed a 10-year deal under which Glencore will supply about 24,000 tonnes a year of shredded battery material for processing into lithium carbonate and nickel-rich mixed hydroxide. The material will feed a new commercial refinery planned in the south-eastern United States, expected to start by 2029.
23 Sept 2026 · Mining Technology
Tungsten West agrees eight-year supply of Hemerdon tungsten to US-based Elmet
UK developer Tungsten West signed a binding eight-year agreement to supply 1,000 tonnes a year of contained tungsten trioxide from the Hemerdon mine in Devon to Elmet Technologies, with an option for up to 500 tonnes more. Pricing is linked to European ammonium paratungstate quotes, and the deal follows a GBP 71 million investment in the company by the UK National Wealth Fund.
23 Sept 2026 · Export-Import Bank of the United States · official source
US EXIM signs framework for up to US$7 billion of financing in Argentina, led by critical minerals
The Export-Import Bank of the United States signed a Build the Future Framework with Argentina's government to mobilise up to USD 7 billion of financing through 2027. Priority sectors include critical minerals development and processing, energy security, digital connectivity and space, with support for US equipment and mining expertise.
22 Sept 2026 · Mining Technology
Bridge Green signs eight-year recycled lithium carbonate deal with Hartree Partners
Battery recycler Bridge Green Upcycle agreed an eight-year deal, extendable by seven years, giving Hartree Partners exclusive marketing rights to about 10,000 tonnes a year of lithium carbonate from recycled batteries, with first volumes expected in 2028. Hartree also invested in Bridge Green, which operates in the United States and India and plans to fund facilities in both countries.
17 Sept 2026 · Türkiye Today
United States and Lithuania sign critical minerals framework memorandum
The US Secretary of State and Lithuania's foreign minister signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington setting up a framework to fund critical mineral projects jointly and secure supply chains for economic and defence needs. The two governments have six months to identify priority projects and line up public and private financing; no specific projects or amounts were disclosed.
9 Sept 2026 · U.S. Department of Energy · official source
US DOE awards $73M to four projects building domestic mining technology test sites
DOE's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation selected four projects to set up field-scale proving grounds for new mining technologies under the Mine of the Future initiative. Sites are located in West Virginia, Colorado, Virginia, Arizona, Missouri and Texas, led by a technology firm and three universities.
13 Aug 2026 · The Astana Times
Kazakhstan's Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty tungsten project enters feasibility study phase
The joint venture between US-based Cove Capital (70%) and Kazakh state miner Tau-Ken Samruk (30%) began its definitive feasibility study and site preparation in July 2026, with the study due to finish before the end of 2027. The roughly US$1.1 billion project plans domestic processing into ammonium paratungstate, and US EXIM and DFC have issued letters of interest totalling up to US$1.6 billion.
8 Aug 2026 · ABC News (Australia)
US Office of Strategic Capital offers conditional loan for Syerston scandium project in NSW
Sunrise Energy Metals' Syerston scandium project near Fifield, New South Wales, received a conditional loan of about US$400 million (A$560 million) from the US Office of Strategic Capital. The project targets about 60 tonnes a year of scandium oxide from the first half of 2028, with the US defence department receiving a right of first offer on output.
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