All articles tagged with #mining
A Nature Ecology and Evolution study of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone found 4,350 seabed wildlife specimens; about 3,826 matched 788 known species, revealing over 500 potential new species and underscoring the ocean floor's hidden biodiversity as deep-sea mining expands, with researchers noting a 37% decline near mining paths and emphasizing the need to predict biodiversity loss and guide more responsible extraction.
NASA’s astronaut photo from the ISS showcases Zimbabwe’s Great Dyke—a 2.5-billion-year-old lopolith that runs about 550 kilometers through central Zimbabwe. Rich in platinum, chromite, copper, iron, and nickel, the Dyke is both a major mineral resource and a window into Earth's early tectonic history; space-based observations help map its extent and monitor changes impacting mining and the environment.
A suspected carbon monoxide leak at a Solid Unity Nigeria Ltd lead‑and‑zinc mine in Plateau State, Nigeria, killed about 33–37 miners and left more than 20 others injured or rescued as dawn shift ended; the site was sealed and investigations began amid security concerns in the region.
A 2010 astronaut photo from the ISS highlights the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe—a 342-mile-long, 2.5-billion-year-old lopolith rich in platinum, chromite and other metals—making it one of Earth's oldest and most mineral-rich igneous intrusions and a major mining hotspot along its length.
The abduction of 10 Canadian-owned mine workers by rival Sinaloa Cartel factions has driven residents from mountain towns near Mazatlán; five bodies have been found and five more await identification, as security forces intensify searches and Vizsla Silver Corp. suspends operations, underscoring ongoing insecurity despite government claims of progress.
Some of Vizsla Silver's 10 workers abducted from a Concordia, Mexico site have been found dead; the company awaits confirmation from authorities and will support families while continuing to search for the remaining missing employees; a relative identified one of the deceased as geologist José Manuel Castañeda Hernández.
The United States is leveraging offtake deals and state-backed funding to compete with China for Africa's critical minerals—targeting copper, cobalt and more in the DRC, Guinea and Zambia—aiming to steer output into U.S.-aligned value chains; while Congo's major assets remain Chinese-controlled and disputes persist, the push signals Washington's preference for financial tools over direct mining presence.
Global powers race to secure critical minerals to outflank rivals, but the DRC’s vast resources are linked to violence and suffering. The Guardian argues that deals and strategic reserves risk entrenching the country’s dependence, bypassing processing capacity and sovereignty, while artisanal miners are killed and communities bear environmental and social costs. It calls for stronger governance, transparency, and genuinely equitable partnerships to ensure energy transition goals do not come at the expense of people’s rights and stability.
Mexican authorities said remains were found in Sinaloa during the search for 10 workers abducted from the Vancouver-based Vizsla Silver mine; four suspects were arrested, and the Navy dismantled cartel camps in the area amid a feud between Sinaloa cartel factions.
Astronomers spotlight the 16 Psyche asteroid—potentially metal-rich and worth about $10 quintillion—enough to theoretically make every person on Earth a billionaire if mined and shared; NASA’s Psyche mission, launched in 2023, aims to study whether it’s the core of a protoplanet, with arrival planned for 2029, but actual mining and wealth distribution remain speculative and not currently feasible.
More than 200 people were killed in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with the toll later reported at least 227 dead and about 20 injured as heavy rains made the ground unstable; the mine, producing roughly 15% of global coltan, has been controlled by AFC/M23 rebels since 2024, and the UN accuses them of looting Rubaya to fund their insurgency, a claim Kigali denies. Final casualty figures were still being confirmed on Friday.
More than 200 people were killed in a landslide at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; the toll was later reported as at least 227 dead, including miners, children and market vendors. The mine has been controlled by the M23 rebels since 2024 and accounts for about 15% of the world’s coltan supply, with the UN alleging mineral plunder to fund the insurgency amid Rwanda’s denial of backing the group.
USA Rare Earth's stock rose after a nonbinding letter of intent for about $1.6 billion in federal financing and $1.5 billion in equity, prompting analysts to lift targets—up to $45. The company aims to mine about 40,000 tons of ore daily and produce 10,000 tons of rare-earth magnets annually by 2030 to help meet U.S. demand.
The Commerce Department plans a $1.3 billion loan and $277 million in federal funding to USA Rare Earth, in exchange for 16.1 million shares and 17.6 million warrants that would give the government an 8%–16% stake once warrants are exercised. The deal, part of a push to build a Western rare earth supply chain, funds the company’s magnet plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and the Round Top mine in Texas, with total project costs around $4.1 billion and about $3.5 billion already secured from cash, private funding, and the government package. Disbursement is 2026–2028 based on milestones, and the agreement is subject to final approvals; the company has already raised $1.5 billion from private investors. Shares rose more than 20% on the news.
The U.S. House voted to lift the decades-old mining ban near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, potentially enabling copper mining near the protected watershed. Proponents argue it could create jobs and boost the economy, while opponents warn of risks to water quality and wilderness values; the measure advances to the Senate.