Mining

Despite volatility, higher gold prices drive Freeport Q1 earnings

(Kitco News) - Despite significant volatility in the precious metals market during the first quarter of 2026, the mining sector is starting the earnings season on a positive note, as Freeport (NYSE: FCX) reported better-than-expected income in the first three months of the year.

Apr 23, 2026 - 10:35 AM

Mercuria, Heeney Capital ink Venezuela offtake deals under White House-backed initiative

May 01, 2026 - 6:07 PM

Kitco Mining Channel

Glencore first-quarter copper output jumps 19%

Glencore said on Thursday its first‑quarter copper production rose 19%, benefiting from improved ore grades in Africa, while its marketing division remains on track to exceed the top end of its annual earnings guidance.The Swiss-based commodities trader and miner produced 199,600 metric tons of copper in the first quarter, up from 167,900 tons a year earlier, driven by better grades at its African operations and higher output at its Antamina mine in Peru.

Apr 30, 2026 - 2:14 PM

Vale to more than double sail-equipped iron ore carrier fleet

Vale plans to more than double its fleet of sail-equipped iron ore carriers, with the cost-saving technology to expand to at least 20 vessels within the next three years, easing the Brazilian miner’s exposure to marine fuel price volatility.The spinning cylindrical sails about as high as a 10-storey building harness wind power during transoceanic voyages saving up to 10% in fuel consumption depending on the vessel, Vale’s general manager for shipping, Rafael Fischer, said on Tuesday.Freight costs are significant for the mining sector and have climbed during the Iran war.

Apr 30, 2026 - 2:11 PM

MinRes surges to near 2-year peak on annual production forecast hike

Australian miner Mineral Resources raised its annual production forecast on Thursday and said costs for its Onslow iron ore project were expected to trend towards the lower end of estimates, sending shares to a near two-year peak.The miner raised its fiscal 2026 forecast for iron ore production volumes from Onslow to 17.7-19.4 million metric tons (Mt) from 17.1-18.8 Mt estimated previously.It also upgraded the production volume forecast for its mining services segment to 320-330 Mt from 305-325 Mt.

Apr 30, 2026 - 2:02 PM

Chile’s copper output and manufacturing production fall in March

Copper output in Chile fell 9.04% year-on-year in March while manufacturing production in the Andean nation declined 4.5%, statistics agency INE said on Thursday.Chile, the world’s top producer of the red metal, saw its copper output sank to 434,314 metric tons from 477,464 metric tons the prior year.Copper is considered an economic bellwether due to its uses across many sectors.

Apr 30, 2026 - 1:58 PM

Glencore expects DRC cobalt exports to normalize in line with 2026 quotas

London-listed miner Glencore said on Thursday it expects cobalt exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo to normalize over the course of the year, in line with remaining 2026 quotas.Congo’s government suspended exports in February last year to support cobalt prices which had dropped to nine-year lows. The suspension remained in place until Congo introduced export quotas last October.Cobalt metal prices have increased 160% since February 2025 to $26 a lb. or $57,320 a metric ton due to shortages created by Congo’s move to restrict exports.

Apr 30, 2026 - 1:53 PM

Vale posts 36% rise in Q1 profit on more sales, higher prices

Vale, one of the world’s largest iron ore producers, on Tuesday posted a 36% increase in its first-quarter net profit as it boosted sales volumes and benefited from higher prices for its products, nevertheless missing market estimates.Rio de Janeiro-based Vale reported that its net profit in the January-March period came in at $1.89 billion, below the $2.05 billion predicted by analysts polled by LSEG.

Apr 29, 2026 - 1:11 PM

Grupo Mexico reports Q1 profit up 57%

Mining and transportation conglomerate Grupo Mexico on Tuesday reported a 57% profit jump in the first quarter from the same period the previous year, helped by an increase in silver and zinc sales.Net profit for the group came in at $1.71 billion. Revenues climbed 33% to $5.57 billion, above a $5.53 billion estimate of analysts polled by LSEG.Core earnings, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the three months through end March rose nearly 50% to $3.31 billion.

Apr 29, 2026 - 12:53 PM

Zijin plans $1.5 billion investment for La Arena copper mine

China’s Zijin Mining Group is seeking new opportunities in Peru as it prepares to invest about $1.5 billion to expand its La Arena mine and increase copper production in the South American country, a company executive said on Tuesday.Luo Yuchuan, CEO of the La Arena mine controlled by Zijin, told Reuters that despite the “rather unique” political situation in Peru, the company believes the country maintains fiscal and financial stability and key mining potential for investment in the sector.

Apr 29, 2026 - 11:50 AM

Argentina court lifts suspension on Vicuna copper project

A court in Argentina’s San Juan province on Tuesday allowed the Vicuna copper project, operated by Australia’s BHP and Canada’s Lundin Mining, to continue operating after a judge in neighboring La Rioja ordered a temporary suspension.Vicuna is among the world’s largest undeveloped copper, gold and silver projects and is central to the country’s ambitions to become a major copper producer.

Apr 29, 2026 - 11:24 AM

European aluminum billet premium doubles after Iran war disrupts supply, squeezes consumers

The premium in Europe for aluminum billet, a semi-finished product, has doubled since the Iran war started due to shortages stemming from two months of disrupted Middle East supply, squeezing consumers in construction and transport.Exports from the Gulf region, a key supplier of primary aluminum, billet and other alloys to Europe, have been curbed after the conflict largely suspended the bulk of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Apr 28, 2026 - 2:09 PM

Gold miners set to stay in Mali despite attacks, industry sources say

International mining companies are likely to keep investing in Mali, one of Africa’s most resource-rich countries, even though attacks on Saturday that killed the defence minister have increased concerns about supply routes, industry executives and analysts said.Mali is one of Africa’s biggest producers of gold, which has hit record high levels on international markets. It also has significant lithium, uranium and copper deposits.But for decades it has battled insurgents and the resulting unrest has allowed the military to stage recurrent coups.

Apr 28, 2026 - 2:07 PM

World Bank forecasts 24% surge in energy prices in 2026 due to Middle East war

Energy prices are expected to surge by 24% in 2026 to their highest level since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, if the most acute disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East end in May, the World Bank said on Tuesday.Commodity prices could rise even further if hostilities in the region escalated and supply disruptions lasted longer than expected, the global development bank said in its latest Commodity Markets Outlook.

Apr 28, 2026 - 2:00 PM

US not funding Congo’s $100 million mine guard, embassy says

The United States said on Tuesday it is not funding any security units tasked with policing or guarding mines in Democratic Republic of Congo after Kinshasa announced plans to launch a paramilitary force to secure mining sites.Congo’s General Inspectorate of Mines (IGM) said in a statement on Monday that the paramilitary guard would be funded by a $100 million budget and created under strategic partnerships with the US and the United Arab Emirates.

Apr 28, 2026 - 1:53 PM

Guinea bauxite output jumps 25% ahead of export curbs

Guinea’s bauxite output jumped by 25% in the first quarter of 2026, driven largely by Chinese demand, official data showed on Tuesday, as the government plans export curbs to lift prices and protect smaller producers.Guinea, the world’s largest exporter of bauxite, a key feedstock for aluminum, has seen strong output growth, reaching about 183 million metric tons in 2025.

Apr 28, 2026 - 1:50 PM

Mining

Despite volatility, higher gold prices drive Freeport Q1 earnings

Mercuria, Heeney Capital ink Venezuela offtake deals under White House-backed initiative

ArcelorMittal donates steel for Trump ballroom

Big funds bet billions on mining supercycle

Sumitomo Corp to exit Ambatovy nickel project in Madagascar

FLSmidth investigates potential breach of sanctions on Russia

Kitco Mining Channel

Glencore first-quarter copper output jumps 19%

Vale to more than double sail-equipped iron ore carrier fleet

MinRes surges to near 2-year peak on annual production forecast hike

Chile’s copper output and manufacturing production fall in March

Glencore expects DRC cobalt exports to normalize in line with 2026 quotas

Vale posts 36% rise in Q1 profit on more sales, higher prices

Grupo Mexico reports Q1 profit up 57%

Zijin plans $1.5 billion investment for La Arena copper mine

Argentina court lifts suspension on Vicuna copper project

European aluminum billet premium doubles after Iran war disrupts supply, squeezes consumers

Gold miners set to stay in Mali despite attacks, industry sources say

World Bank forecasts 24% surge in energy prices in 2026 due to Middle East war

US not funding Congo’s $100 million mine guard, embassy says

Guinea bauxite output jumps 25% ahead of export curbs