US steps closer to leading global deep sea mining industry

By Samantha Bawden

Friday, 30 January 2026

InternationalNews

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has consolidated its previously fragmented permitting process to streamline deep sea mining approvals in the US.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

Federal Government Supports Indian Investment In Australian Critical Minerals Sector

DevelopmentsInternationalNews

Federal Government Supports Indian Investment In Australian Critical Minerals Sector

The Federal government is confident a new investment partnership with India can unlock mutual benefits for both countries from Australia’s world-leading critical minerals sector. Australia’s Minister for Resources and Water, Keith Pitt, has announced $5.8 million in funding to support a three-year Australia-India Critical Minerals Investment Partnership. “Australia and India are natural partners sharing mutual strategic and economic priorities and this Partnership will support further Indian investment in Australian critical minerals projects,” Minister Pitt said. “It is the first of its kind and represents a step-change in how countries can work together to support key industries and pursue growth opportunities. “Our combined capabilities will take on the challenge of resourcing the emerging technologies used in sectors such as defence, aerospace,…

Is uranium the next commodity to run? $4.6M ASX micro cap explorer GTi Resources looks highly leveraged

InternationalNewsSponsored Post

Is uranium the next commodity to run? $4.6M ASX micro cap explorer GTi Resources looks highly leveraged

In September 2019, the World Nuclear Association produced a report modelling a predicted divergence in the supply and demand curve globally for uranium. The report showed demand outstripping supply from 2023. In other words, there is a looming uranium supply and demand mismatch and the Association believes the uranium industry is only a couple of years away from firing again, leaving behind fears of another Fukushima. There is reason to be positive about nuclear energy: it could play a crucial role in the decarbonisation of the world. Such is the shift in thinking around nuclear’s role to combat climate change, that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is making the rounds in Washington to persuade the US Congress to spend billions of…

Galileo, the next Fraser Range nickel success story?

InternationalNewsSponsored Post

Galileo, the next Fraser Range nickel success story?

In December 2019, Legend Mining (ASX: LEG) catapulted to a $200 million market capitalisation after exploration drilling revealed a nickel-sulphide discovery at its Rockford Project’s Mawson Prospect in the Fraser Range nickel belt in Western Australia. The stock doubled in price in a single day on speculation that the exploration drilling was the first sign of Mawson being the region’s “next Nova discovery”. Prior to this, the 2012 discovery of the Nova nickel deposit, also in the Fraser Range nickel belt, shot Sirius Resources to fame, returning shareholders a return of circa 10,000% in a matter of months and led to Sirius’ acquisition by Independence Group (ASX:IGO) for $1.8 billion. Located 50 kilometres along strike from Legend’s Mawson Prospect is…

Rio enters JV option with Valor

InternationalMergers & AcquisitionsNews

Rio enters JV option with Valor

BY ELIZABETH FABRI RIO Tinto subsidiary Kennecott Exploration (KEX) has inked a Joint Venture option deal with ASX-listed Valor Resources over its Berenguela copper-silver-manganese project in south-eastern Peru. Initial terms of the agreement included a payment of $US700,000 before February 2019, and further $US2million spend on exploration over the next 12 months. At the completion of initial expenditure, Kennecott would be entitled to form a 50:50 incorporated joint venture by paying an additional $US3million to Valor, and increase its stake to 75 per cent by spending an additional $US5million within three years. Valor Resources executive director Nicholas Lindsay said bringing Kennecott in as a partner to the project was a significant and exciting step forward in its development, and endorsed…

Northern Star closing in on $5b bid for De Grey

Northern Star closing in on $5b bid for De Grey

Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR) has announced its support of Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) acquisition of De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG). Gold Road has advised that it has the intention to vote all the De Grey shares it holds in favour of the scheme. Gold Road holds approximately 17.26% of De Grey shares, which are valued at over $1b, making it the company’s largest shareholder. Northern Star is Australia’s largest listed gold miner, valued at almost $25b, and will know if its bid has been successful following a De Grey shareholder meeting on April 16th. The target of this acquisition and De Grey’s most lustrous asset is the Hemi gold project in the Pilbara region of WA. Hemi is…

Alcoa to boost Australia’s gallium supply

Alcoa to boost Australia’s gallium supply

Alcoa (ASX: AAI) has confirmed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA) to explore the feasibility of a gallium project in WA. The project will be co-located at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries. Subject to further commercial agreements and regulatory approvals, Alcoa and JAGA are targeting a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2025 with production targeted for 2026. Gallium is recognised as a critical mineral by Australia and the US. Japan has also identified the mineral as one of the 35 minerals important to its national security. Production of the mineral is currently concentrated in China with market controls introduced in 2023 heightening global interest in alternative supply chains. According to JOGMEC,…

Rio Tinto cuts 180 jobs at Queensland refinery

NewsPeople & Workforce

Rio Tinto cuts 180 jobs at Queensland refinery

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has announced it will be reducing production at its Yarwun alumina refinery in Gladstone, Queensland from October 2026.

Weir developing new backfill technology

Weir developing new backfill technology

Weir is collaborating with German company Schwing Stetter to develop an unrivalled hydraulic piston pump for backfill pumping applications. As part of this collaboration, Weir and Schwing are working together to share product and application knowledge to enhance the technology and deliver a solution to customers. Weir reported a growing demand for higher capacity pumps in line with mining industry trends shifting towards higher production rates and lower ore grades which, by extension, is resulting in increased tailings volumes. As many above ground tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are reaching their capacity, operators are combining both backfilling and surface storage to manage their tailings burden. Miners are beginning to incorporate backfilling into the early stages of mine designs as an opportunity…