January 12, 2026 Indonesia quota talk triggers nickel reality check The uncertainty hasn’t stopped the market from moving.
January 12, 2026 Japan launches world’s first deep-sea rare earth mining test Tokyo has begun a seabed mining trial near Minamitori Island as it seeks to cut reliance on Chinese rare earth supplies.
January 12, 2026 Australia fast-tracks critical minerals stockpile Canberra will build a strategic minerals reserve using domestic supply to shore up defence, tech manufacturing and allied supply chains.
January 9, 2026 Portugal’s government backs Savannah’s lithium mine with $128M grant Around €82 million of the grant would fund the initial capital expenditures of the project in Portugal's Barroso region.
January 9, 2026 Trump, Congress move to overturn Minnesota mining ban The big beneficiary would arguably be Chile's Antofagasta, whose Twin Metals unit has been trying to develop a massive copper-nickel mine on public land for decades.
January 8, 2026 China-Japan rare earth spat curbs exports Analysts said the economic fallout for Japan could be severe.
January 8, 2026 Nickel price extends drop amid lack of detail on Indonesia output cuts Three-month futures declined as much as 5.9% on the London Metal Exchange.
January 8, 2026 AI to boost copper demand 50% by 2040 — S&P The consultancy warns new AI, defence and robotics uses could strain copper supply without major gains in mining and recycling.
January 7, 2026 Pressure for Indonesian quota U-turn is a risk for nickel price rally Following its announcement of mining curbs in December, prices of nickel have steadily gained more than 30%.
January 6, 2026 Intrepid Potash weighs potential to develop battery-grade lithium processing plant in Utah Test results achieved a lithium extraction rate of 92.9%, producing an overall lithium chloride purity above 99.5%, the company said.
Ma’aden selects Metso to deliver a gold processing plant to Ar Rjum mine The order includes process electrification, field instrumentation and automation. January 15, 2026 | 03:25 pm
