This Week's Top Five Stories in Mining
Copper, Cobalt & Lithium Mines: US’ Critical Mineral Growth
American mining company Virtus Minerals is set to acquire Chemaf, a copper and cobalt miner in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a milestone in the US–Congo mineral partnerships.
The transaction represents part of the US’ ‘Project Vault’, a “landmark initiative” led by the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
The US Government plans to mobilise unprecedented resources to secure critical mineral supply chains, supporting projects with more than US$30bn in letters of interest, investments, loans and other support.
Could Mining Costs be Slashed With Emerging Technology?
Over recent years, the mining industry has seen a boom in demand, due to the increasing interest in critical minerals.
With this demand, however, comes an increase in scrutiny, particularly as businesses around the world are looking to cut emissions.
As a result, mining companies are investing in new technologies that help them reduce their carbon footprints and increase efficiency.
What Does the EU-Australia Trade Deal Mean for Mining?
The EU and Australia have announced a significant partnership, strengthening their close relationship amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and reshaping global supply chains.
Concluded in March 2026, the agreement eliminates more than 99% of tariffs on mineral exports, positioning Australia as a key supplier of lithium, manganese and aluminium to European markets increasingly focused on green technology and digital transformation.
The deal arrives at a crucial moment for the EU, which has been seeking to diversify its sources of raw materials essential for batteries, renewable energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
By securing access to Australia's vast mineral resources, the agreement reduces the bloc's dependency on single-country suppliers and strengthens supply chain resilience for materials that underpin the transition to cleaner energy.
Transforming Mining Demand Through Solid-State Batteries
The mining industry stands at a pivotal moment as Toyota and Sumitomo Metal Mining forge a partnership that could redefine demand for battery-grade materials.
The joint agreement to mass-produce cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries in battery electric vehicles represents a fundamental shift in how mining companies must approach mineral extraction, processing and supply chain positioning.
Toyota expects deployment of the higher-performing all-solid-state batteries in its BEVs between 2027 and 2028, creating an immediate timeline for mining operations to adapt their production capabilities and refining processes to meet the exacting standards these next-generation batteries demand.
How is Lithium Americas Advancing at Thacker Pass?
In a year marked by turbulence throughout industries, the mining sector saw a significant boost to demand, caused by an increasing interest in critical materials and lithium.
Mining supply chains were reworked as companies looked to diversify their value chain and boost their own resilient supply.
Lithium Americas has released its Full Year 2025 results, exploring financial standing and progress on its lithium project at Thacker Pass.
