United States and Australia ink critical minerals deal

U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a critical minerals agreement, which they described as “an $8.5 billion deal between allies,” aimed at curbing China’s dominance of rare earths resources. The Associated Press reported that China announced earlier this month that foreign companies must get approval from its government to export magnets containing even trace…

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Blair Athol mine life extended to 2033

TerraCom

Australia-based TerraCom has confirmed that the life of its flagship Blair Athol coal mine in Queensland has been extended to 2033, following an updated JORC Code Resource and Reserve assessment. “Blair Athol continues to demonstrate its strength as a long life, low cost and reliable operation, and remains a cornerstone asset for TerraCom. The 2025 JORC Code update reaffirms the…

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Caterpillar to acquire mining software provider RPMGlobal

Following a constructive six-week due diligence period, Caterpillar and RPMGlobal have now signed a binding Scheme Implementation Deed. The agreement formalizes the terms under which Caterpillar will acquire RPM via a scheme of arrangement. “RPMGlobal’s culture and agile approach to developing solutions aligns well with Caterpillar’s intense focus on solving customer needs,” said Denise Johnson, group president, Caterpillar Resource Industries. …

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ABB, LKAB enter technology partnership

Meeting-in-Switzerland-(from-left)-were-Peter-Terwiesch-and-Vedrana-Spudic-from-ABB,-and-Jenny-Greberg-and-Jan-Moström-from-LKAB.-Image-ABB

Global technology provider ABB and Swedish mining and minerals group LKAB have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a strategic technology partnership to accelerate automation, electrification and digitalization in mining.  The partnership will focus on some of the biggest shifts in the mining industry’s journey to the all-electric, automated and digitalized mine, enhancing safety, sustainability and productivity. ABB…

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Administration approves controversial Alaskan mining road 

The Trump administration has approved a proposed 211-mile, industrial access road through Alaska’s Brooks Range to allow mining of copper, cobalt, gold and other minerals. The long-debated Ambler Road project was originally approved during President Trump’s first term but was later blocked by the Biden administration due to environmental concerns. Full story.

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