The Mining Insider

Today on The Mining Insider: The BHP Port Hedland labor dispute has escalated to approximately 450 workers with strikes possible as early as this week. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor warned that WA is repeating the 1980s. A full port shutdown would cost over $120M per day in revenue and $7M per day in state royalties. Bargaining session June 23. Mozambique enacted 15% mandatory state ownership in all mining ventures — third African nation after Zimbabwe and DRC to tighten critical minerals terms. POSCO International signed an MOU with Erdenes Mongol to develop copper, coal, rare earths, and lithium in Mongolia — world second-largest copper reserve nation. The Metals Company received NOAA certification of its USA-B application for 65,000 sq km of Pacific seabed polymetallic nodule mining; commercial permit expected Q1 2027; ISA Secretary-General calls it a violation of international law. Sources: The West Australian (https://thewest.com.au/business/wa-lost-badly-angus-taylor-calls-on-history-in-warning-against-bhp-port-hedland-strike-c-22420455), Mining Digital (https://miningdigital.com/news/top-5-stories-of-the-week-in-mining-digital-june-13-2026), Seoul Economic Daily (https://en.sedaily.com/business/2026/06/13/posco-international-enters-mongolias-mineral-development), Caliber.az (https://caliber.az/en/post/canadian-firm-eyes-first-deep-sea-mining-permit-despite-challenging-un-framework)

Today on The Mining Insider: More than 200 workers at BHP's Port Hedland iron ore facility in Western Australia have authorized rolling strikes that unions say could cost $120 million per day, with both the ETU and AMWU voting overwhelmingly in favor. BHP is accused of hiring strikebreakers at $93/hour; a bargaining session is scheduled for June 23. Glencore has reversed its February freeze on nearly $300 million in environmental investments at the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda — Canada's only copper smelter — after Quebec's National Assembly passed Bill 11, providing emissions regulatory certainty through 2033. Glencore is calling on Ottawa to match provincial support via PM Mark Carney's C$5 billion Strategic Response Fund. Energy Fuels reports it will hit its full 2026 uranium guidance of 1.5–2.5 million lb by the end of June, with White Mesa Mill — the only licensed uranium mill in the US — processing near historic cost lows of $9–12/lb; Phase 2 rare earth expansion to 6,300 tpa capacity moves to implementation in July. GoGold Resources formally approved construction at Los Ricos South in Mexico's Jalisco state — $227M capex against $280–285M cash on hand, no debt or dilution, earthworks mobilizing within two weeks, 7.3M silver equivalent ounces per year, first pour in 24 months.

Sources: Mining.com BHP strike (https://www.mining.com/web/bhp-workers-vote-for-strike-action-at-australian-iron-ore-export-hub/), AAP News strikebreakers (https://aapnews.aap.com.au/news/bhp-accused-of-american-style-strikebreaker-tactics), ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-12/senior-labor-figures-back-bhp-strike-in-port-hedland/106790854), Mining.com Glencore (https://www.mining.com/glencore-to-resume-emissions-spending-at-quebec-smelter/), Mining.com Energy Fuels (https://www.mining.com/energy-fuels-expects-to-hit-2026-uranium-guidance-by-midyear/), Newsfile Corp GoGold (https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/300455/GoGold-Achieves-Major-Milestone-Final-Remaining-Permits-Secured-and-Construction-Approved-for-Los-Ricos-South-Underground-Mine)

Today on The Mining Insider: Rio Tinto and Glencore are seeking to extend the preparation period for their proposed $235 billion merger — the deal that would create the world's largest mining company — as both sides continue to work through valuation. US forces launched new strikes against Iran in retaliation for the downing of a military helicopter even as ceasefire talks continued; gold fell 2.6% and base metals dropped across the board, with US inflation hitting 4.2% adding rate-hike pressure. Vale's CEO Gustavo Pimenta used the occasion to raise the company's 2026 iron ore price forecast to $112 per tonne, up from $102, citing war-driven margin expansion and 'super-constructive' global minerals demand. India's SAIL and NMDC are in talks with Russia to acquire coking coal assets following India's January 2026 designation of coking coal as a strategic mineral; India also seeks to boost Russian nickel imports for its EV supply chain. And Venezuela has deployed the army in a major operation near Las Claritas in the Orinoco Mining Arc to dislodge illegal miners from key gold deposits, as the government tries to attract foreign mining investment under a new April mining law.

Sources: AKM News (https://www.akm.ru/eng/news/rio-tinto-and-glencore-intend-to-extend-the-period-of-preparation-for-the-merger/), Mining.com metals retreat (https://www.mining.com/metals-retreat-amid-iran-conflict-and-lingering-rate-hike-concerns/), Mining.com Vale CEO (https://www.mining.com/web/vale-ceo-says-metals-demand-is-robust-despite-middle-east-war/), Reuters/ET Government (https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/economy/india-explores-russian-coking-coal-assets-more-nickel-supplies-sources-say/131607415), Mining.com Venezuela (https://www.mining.com/web/venezuela-deploys-troops-against-illegal-miners-in-key-gold-belt/)

Today on The Mining Insider: The US House of Representatives passed the DOMINANCE Act on Monday — bipartisan legislation aimed at China's 90% grip on rare earth processing — the same day the Department of Energy committed $134 million to rare earth extraction projects in Louisiana and Oklahoma. In Australia, Inpex has applied to the Fair Work Commission to halt an escalating strike at its 9.3 million tonne-per-year Ichthys LNG project near Darwin, with cargo loading bans starting June 11 and up to four LNG cargoes at risk. In Saskatchewan, Eldorado Gold produced its first copper concentrate at McIlvenna Bay less than two months after closing its acquisition of Foran Mining — targeting commercial production in Q3 2026 from an 18-year mine expected to yield 41 million pounds of copper annually. And South Africa's mining industry is reacting with alarm to a government proposal to impose a chrome export levy and attach beneficiation conditions to mining licences, while the country's mining cadastre gets a fifth deadline: March 31, 2027.

Sources: Mining.com — DOMINANCE Act (https://www.mining.com/the-us-passes-dominance-act-for-critical-minerals-security/), Mining.com — DOE $134M RE funding (https://www.mining.com/web/us-picks-louisiana-oklahoma-rare-earth-projects-for-134m-funding/), Argus Media — Ichthys strike (https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2837500-inpex-applies-to-halt-australia-s-ichthys-lng-strike), Investing News Network — McIlvenna Bay (https://investingnews.com/eldorado-gold-begins-copper-production/), Daily Maverick — SA chrome/cadastre (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-06-09-sa-mining-sector-jolted-by-government-chrome-tax-beneficiation-proposals-/)

Today on The Mining Insider: Iran and Israel announced a mutual halt to attacks early Monday, and President Trump told reporters that the Strait of Hormuz will open immediately upon signing a deal — which could be in two or three days. Brent crude has retreated to $93.13 per barrel. For mining operators managing three months of elevated energy input costs, a Hormuz resolution would be the most material cost event of the year.

Meanwhile, Trafigura has halted zinc concentrate shipments from Cuba's Castellanos project to Chinese smelters as the US blockade of Cuba tightens — cutting off 100,000 tonnes per year of concentrate at a moment when Chinese smelters are paying minus $50 per tonne to secure feedstock, with LME zinc up 13 percent year to date.

In Chile, Antofagasta has committed $900 million to extend its Zaldivar copper mine life to 2051 — another 25 years — replacing freshwater with treated wastewater by 2028 and creating up to 5,000 construction jobs. Antofagasta co-owns Zaldivar with Barrick.

And Chilean regulators issued final environmental approval for Aclara's rare earth clay deposit, as the company advances US Development Finance Corporation talks and automaker offtake discussions for 2028 production.

Sources: Anadolu Agency Energy (https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/oil/oil-slips-as-iran-israel-halt-attacks-trump-signals-progress-in-talks/57542), Mining.com (https://www.mining.com/web/trafigura-halts-some-cuban-zinc-shipments-as-us-blockade-bites/), Mining.com (https://www.mining.com/antofagasta-to-spend-900m-extending-zaldivar-mine-to-2051/), Mining.com (https://www.mining.com/web/aclara-seeks-us-backing-for-chilean-rare-earth-project/)

Today on The Mining Insider:

Story 1 — Hormuz Day 99 / OPEC+ Fourth Hike: Tanker traffic down 90-95% from pre-war baseline; widespread dark shipping eliminates real-time oil/LNG flow visibility. US struck Iranian radar on Goruk and Qeshm islands; Iran's IRGC claims retaliatory strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain; Kuwait reports ballistic missile intercepts. Brent crude above $96/bbl. OPEC+ preparing fourth quota hike since closure — limited effect as spare capacity cannot bypass Hormuz. Iran seeks $24B in frozen asset releases in indirect talks. Next US-Iran diplomatic round expected week of June 22.

Story 2 — China Coking Coal Hits Highest Since 2024: ~60 million tonnes of annual production capacity halted as of June 7 due to safety shutdowns. China accounts for ~50% of global metallurgical coal consumption. Elevated steel input costs flow through to capital project economics for mining operators globally. Australian, Canadian and US met coal exporters positioned to benefit from seaborne demand increase.

Story 3 — GoldMining La Mina PEA Filing: GoldMining Inc. (TSX: GOLD, NYSE American: GLDG) files NI 43-101 Technical Report and updated PEA for La Mina gold-copper deposit, Antioquia, Colombia. Base case: $1.0B after-tax NPV (5%), 32.2% IRR, 2.7-year payback, $523M initial capex. LOM production 11.2 years: 1.2M oz Au, 2.6M oz Ag, 195M lbs Cu (1.5M oz AuEq total). 15,000 tpd conventional open pit. AISC $1,045/oz Au. Spot-price NPV: $1.8B, IRR 49.1%. CEO Alastair Still: 'exceptional leverage to the current metal price environment.'

Story 4 — Deep Sea Minerals NOAA Substantial Compliance: Deep Sea Minerals Corp. (CSE: SEAS) confirms substantial compliance with NOAA under the modernized Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. 150,000 km2 Pacific Ocean concession. NOAA finalized new streamlined permitting rule. Commercial extraction timeline: late 2026 to early 2027 if approvals continue advancing. CEO James Deckelman cites 'responsible, science-based development.'

Sources: Geopolitics Unplugged (https://geopoliticsunplugged.substack.com/p/hormuz-dark-tankers-trigger-oil-market), Economic Times India (https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/business/opec-set-for-fourth-oil-quota-hike-since-hormuz-closure-sources-say/articleshow/131563549.cms), Mining.com on China coking coal (https://www.mining.com/press-release?id=6a265f17ac168fd8dc9d5c18), PR Newswire — GoldMining La Mina (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/goldmining-files-pea-technical-report-for-its-la-mina-project-colombia---highlighting-1-0-billion-after-tax-npv-and-32-irr-302793123.html), Mining.com.au — Deep Sea Minerals (https://mining.com.au/minings-deep-sea-dilemma-world-oceans-day/)

Today on The Mining Insider:

Story 1 — Sherritt International Exits Cuba: Trump's Executive Order 14404 (May 1, 2026) sanctioned Moa Nickel SA and set a June 5 deadline for foreign companies to sever ties with Cuba's GAESA conglomerate. Sherritt suspended operations in May and repatriated staff. Cuba owes Sherritt at least $344M, including ~$277M from the Moa Joint Venture (nickel and cobalt). Sherritt is also exiting Energas S.A. A preliminary deal with Gillon Capital (Texas, Ray Washburne) could give Gillon 55% of Sherritt via private placement; requires US and TSX approval.

Story 2 — Vale Canada Opens Copper Cliff Nickel Mine: Vale Canada Limited officially opened the initial phase of its C$945M Copper Cliff nickel mine in Sudbury, Ontario. The mine is part of Vale's broader integrated Sudbury operations, which feed the company's Sudbury smelter and refinery producing finished nickel, copper and cobalt.

Story 3 — Chile Two-Layer Mining Reform: Ley de Permisología (Sept 2025) targets 30-70% shorter permitting timelines via streamlining and digitization. President Kast's Economic Reconstruction Bill (April 2026) adds a 25-year fiscal stability pact and corporate tax rate declining to 23% by 2029. Chile copper fell YoY every month of 2025 (Cochilco: -2%). Codelco projects only 0.8% production growth in 2026. $105B investment pipeline through 2034. Marimaca Copper received environmental licence within 12 months under new framework.

Story 4 — REalloys Appalachian Rare Earth LOI: REalloys (NASDAQ: ALOY) signed non-binding LOI with Patriot Exploration and Mining for priority access to up to 30% of output from 2 billion metric tonnes across 150+ Appalachian Basin sites (Alabama to Pennsylvania). Targets neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium, terbium. January 2027 US defense procurement deadline under 10 USC 4872 and DFARS 252.225-7052. CEO Lipi Sternheim: 'The defense industrial base has a 2027 deadline and a supply chain gap that REalloys intends to resolve.'

Sources: CiberCuba (https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2026-06-03-u1-e199370-s27061-nid331086-estas-son-companias-abandonan-cuba-sanciones-eeuu), Business Wire (https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260603998426/en/Sherritt-Announces-Appointment-of-Interim-CFO), Mining Metal News (https://www.miningmetalnews.com/en), Mining.com (https://www.mining.com/chiles-right-wing-pivot-puts-mining-policy-under-the-microscope/), REalloys via Stock Titan (https://www.stocktitan.net/news/ALOY/r-ealloys-signs-letter-of-intent-with-patriot-exploration-gr1hbw9iw6aq.html)

Today on The Mining Insider:

Story 1 — Indonesia Cuts Nickel Ore Quota: Indonesia's energy ministry cut the 2026 nickel ore production quota to 260-270 million metric tonnes — below last year's 320 million tonnes produced and far short of FINI's 340-350 million tonne demand estimate. FINI chairman Arif Perdana Kusuma confirmed smelter capacity utilization has dropped to 76% nationally (from 84%), with some lines in South Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi below 50%. Weda Bay Nickel (Eramet) halted ore production after exhausting its quota at end of May. LME nickel hit $20,000/t on May 6, its highest since May 2024. National Economic Council member Septian Hario Seto: government targets $18,000-$20,000/t range.

Story 2 — Orla Mining Camino Rojo Restart: Orla Mining (NYSE: ORLA) filed a 6-K confirming the illegal labor blockade at Camino Rojo in Zacatecas, Mexico has ended and operations have resumed. Bonus negotiations with employees and union are ongoing with Mexican federal labour authority support. 2026 gold production guidance reaffirmed at 110,000-120,000 ounces. Orla is under Equinox Gold's $5.1B acquisition.

Story 3 — Pan American Silver Timmins $146M Shaft Extension: Pan American Silver (NYSE/TSX: PAAS) approved a $146M investment for a 625m shaft extension at Bell Creek mine in the Timmins Camp operation in Ontario. New mineral resource discovery also announced. 118,000m drilling program planned in 2026. Updated mineral reserves expected by June 30, 2026. Project reduces haulage distances, ventilation requirements, and CO2 emissions.

Story 4 — Sunshine Silver IPO Closes: Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining (NYSE: SSMR) closed its NYSE IPO including full exercise of over-allotment option: 23 million shares at $13.50/share = $310.5M gross proceeds. Trading since June 4. Bookrunners: Morgan Stanley, Scotiabank, BMO, Canaccord, Citi, RBC. Proceeds fund 2028 restart of Idaho Sunshine Mine (Coeur d'Alene District, 360M+ oz historical production, 7.6M oz/year target). Electrum Group retains 50%+.

Sources: Mining.com — Indonesia nickel quota (https://www.mining.com/web/indonesian-smelters-cut-production-on-lower-nickel-ore-quota/), Orla Mining 6-K via Stock Titan (https://www.stocktitan.net/sec-filings/ORLA/6-k-orla-mining-ltd-current-report-foreign-issuer-60fb277becee.html), Financial Post on Pan American Silver Timmins (https://intellectia.ai/news/monitor/pan-american-silver-announces-new-mineral-resource-discovery-and-investment-plan), PR Newswire — Sunshine Silver IPO close (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunshine-silver-mining--refining-announces-closing-of-initial-public-offering-including-full-exercise-of-over-allotment-option-302792995.html)

Today on The Mining Insider:

Story 1 — Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon Ceasefire / Hormuz Day 96: Hezbollah formally rejected the latest US-brokered ceasefire framework, keeping the Strait of Hormuz in effective closure. Trafigura's half-year report calls it the largest energy crisis in history — 14 million barrels per day shut in, over 1.1 billion barrels removed from global markets, diesel up 60%, jet fuel up 70%. Trafigura net profit tripled to $4.1 billion in six months.

Story 2 — CNNC Approved for Namibia's Etango Uranium Project: China National Nuclear Corporation won Namibia Competition Commission approval to enter a JV with Bannerman Energy on the Etango uranium project near Swakopmund — one of Namibia's largest undeveloped uranium deposits. Approved with conditions on localisation and skills transfer.

Story 3 — enCore Energy Completes Largest-Ever Uranium Plant in South Texas: enCore Energy Corp completed the first phase of its Upper Spring Creek satellite ion exchange plant in South Texas — the largest such facility the company has built. Current capacity: 1,600 gpm (50% of planned 3,200 gpm). Full capacity by end of July. Uranium extraction planned for late 2026 pending final permits.

Story 4 — Gold M&A Crosses $7.9 Billion: Equinox Gold's $5.1 billion acquisition of Orla Mining creates an $18.5 billion North American producer with 1.1 million ounces projected 2026 output. Agnico Eagle consolidated three Finnish gold assets in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt — Rupert Resources ($2.12B), Aurion Resources ($351M), B2Gold's Fingold JV stake ($325M) — for a combined $2.8 billion hub targeting 500,000 oz/year.

Sources: Trafigura Half-Year Report via gCaptain (https://gcaptain.com/trafigura-warns-worlds-largest-energy-crisis-is-far-from-over/), The Extractor Magazine on CNNC/Bannerman (https://theextractormagazine.com/2026/06/05/china-national-nuclear-corporation-cleared-to-partner-with-bannerman-in-etango-uranium-project/), enCore Energy press release (https://encoreuranium.com/news/encore-energy-announces-the-successful-completion-of-construction-at-the-upper-spring-creek-isr-uranium-project/), The Oregon Group on gold M&A (https://theoregongroup.com/commodities/gold/gold-mining-ma-is-back/)

USA Rare Earth (Nasdaq: USAR) executed definitive agreements with the US Department of Commerce to unlock nearly $1.6 billion in CHIPS Act funding — the largest US rare earth government financing on record. Package: $277 million in federal grants + up to $1.3 billion in senior secured loans, milestone-based disbursements. Total capital now $3.5B. Funding supports integrated mine-to-magnet supply chain: Texas deposit (production 2028), Stillwater Oklahoma magnet plant (first line commissioned April, 600t target year-end, doubling next year), Blacksburg SC facility ($1.2B, magnet + heavy rare earth refining). Full-ramp target: 10,000t rare earth magnets + 10,000t heavy rare earth metal/alloy annually. Chairman Michael Blitzer: 'This partnership with the US government is the largest of its kind in our industry.' Also: $175M+ France investment, $2.8B Brazil mine acquisition.

Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining (NYSE: SSMR) began trading Thursday, raising $270 million at $13.50/share. Shares opened at $15.00 (+11%). Lead underwriters: Morgan Stanley, Scotiabank, BMO. Largest mineral rights holder in Idaho's Coeur d'Alene Mining District — 360M+ oz silver produced historically. Electrum Group retains 50%+. Restart target: 2028. Projected output: 7.6M oz/year silver in first 5 years (+20% US silver output). Antimony permits held; MOU with Perpetua Resources (Stibnite) for antimony processing.

Critical Threats Project (ISW/AEI) documented Iran's deliberate strategy to link Lebanon ceasefire demands to Hormuz negotiations. Iran FM Araghchi: Lebanon and Iran 'linked'; conflict won't end without Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. IRGC-affiliated Tasnim: Iran prioritising Hormuz sovereignty over toll collection. WSJ: Trump told advisors he won't resume all-out war unless US soldiers killed. Brent crude ~$97/bbl. Polymarket: 19% odds Iran agrees to unrestricted Hormuz shipping by June 30.

Lithium Americas (TSX/NYSE: LAC) Q1 2026 results: $80–$120 million added to 2026 Thacker Pass construction costs from US steel tariffs and Iran war impacts. Original full-project capex $2.93B (did not include tariffs). Stage 1 budget $1.3–$1.6B. Late-2027 completion target maintained. Procurement >70% complete. Iran cost channels: disrupted steel supply chains + fuel price inflation.

Sources: Mining.com/USAR press release, Bloomberg/US News (Sunshine Silver IPO), Critical Threats Project/ISW, WSJ, Polymarket (Iran-Hormuz-Lebanon), Northern Miner/Lithium Americas (Thacker Pass)