February 2, 2026 Pentagon strikes deal with Canada’s 5N Plus The US Department of Defense made an $18 million investment in Canada’s 5N Plus to help the company expand refining capacity for germanium metal.
February 2, 2026 Japan boosts deep-sea mining plan to cut rare earth reliance The aim is to pull metal-bearing mud from the seabed for tests as early as February 2027.
February 2, 2026 Eldorado to buy Foran Mining for $2.8B amid copper push Deal adds McIlvenna Bay in Saskatchewan, as near-term growth project ahead of planned commercial output this year.
February 2, 2026 Trump launches $12B minerals vault to cut China reliance The initiative, Project Vault, aims to shield manufacturers from mineral shocks, mirroring the oil reserve but focused on critical metals.
January 30, 2026 More than 200 killed in coltan mine collapse in east Congo, official says Rubaya produces around 15% of the world's coltan, which is processed into tantalum.
January 30, 2026 Australia says US price floor backdown won’t derail its critical minerals strategy Australia has been positioning itself as a critical minerals alternative to China.
January 30, 2026 Australian lithium miners plot expansions after price surge Australia’s hard rock lithium producers are already considering supply increases after spodumene prices more than triple in eight weeks.
January 29, 2026 US to seek rare earth price mechanism during meetings with allies, official says US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said he expects a lot of “momentum and excitement” toward “agreeing on a pricing mechanism.
January 29, 2026 Vizsla Silver says 10 employees abducted in Sinaloa, Mexico Armed men entered staff accommodations and forcibly removed the workers, who included engineers, geologists, security personnel and administrative staff.
January 29, 2026 Cyclic Materials to build $82M rare earth recycling plant in South Carolina The new site will be capable of processing 2,000 tonnes of magnet material, with a planned expansion to 6,000 tonnes per year.
Ascot rebrands under new management, lays out hub-and-spoke plan The new management views the Red Mountain project as a key part of the company's new vision. February 11, 2026 | 11:26 am
