THE MINING WRAP

Barrick Mining has officially regained operational control of the Loulo Gounkoto gold complex in Mali following the resolution of a prolonged dispute with the government. The handover restores production oversight to the company and stabilises one of West Africa’s most important gold assets after nearly two years of operational uncertainty.

Mali Returns Seized Gold to Barrick

In a related development, a Malian court has ordered the return of approximately three tonnes of gold previously seized from Barrick. The ruling removes a critical bottleneck to exports and cash flow, allowing the miner to normalise shipments from the complex.

Policy, Fiscal and Market Shifts

Zimbabwe Reverses Planned Gold Royalty Increase

Zimbabwe has scrapped a proposed hike in gold royalties following strong resistance from miners. The move preserves a more predictable fiscal environment at a time when producers are seeking regulatory certainty to sustain output and capital investment.

Namibia’s Mining Revenue Mix Shifts

Namibia has reported that tax revenues from gold and uranium have overtaken diamonds for the first time. The shift reflects weaker diamond markets alongside stronger gold prices and rising uranium output, reshaping the country’s mining revenue base.

Social and ESG Developments

Workforce Layoffs at Guinea’s Simandou Project

Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project has begun large-scale workforce reductions as it transitions from construction into production. While exports are ramping up, the layoffs have raised social and ESG concerns around labour management and community impacts linked to mega-project phase changes.

Technology, Automation and Infrastructure

First Quantum Rolls Out Automated Drilling at Sentinel

First Quantum Minerals has introduced automated drilling systems at its Sentinel copper mine in Zambia, marking a shift from pilot trials to operational deployment. The rollout strengthens safety, consistency and productivity at one of the country’s largest copper operations.

BEUMER Group Expands Manufacturing Capacity

BEUMER Group, a major supplier of material handling and automation systems for mining and bulk industries, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in India. The expansion strengthens production capacity for advanced conveyors, sortation and automated material-handling systems that support digital mine-site logistics.

Regenx Tech Advances Proprietary Mining Technology

Regenx Tech Corp. has secured funding to accelerate development of its proprietary mining-related technologies. While details remain broad, the funding signals growing investor confidence in next-generation solutions spanning data analytics, automation and processing efficiency.

Rare Earth Processing Technologies Licensed to Bayan Mining

Colorado School of Mines has licensed four patented rare-earth element processing technologies to Bayan Mining and Minerals Ltd. The agreement represents a commercial transfer of academic innovation into industry, with the potential to improve extraction and separation efficiency for materials critical to electric motors and the energy transition.

Propel Industries Accelerates Heavy EV Development

Propel Industries, an OEM focused on mining-oriented electric trucks, is expanding its battery-electric offerings, including 70- and 90-tonne vehicles supported by high-speed charging solutions. The move reflects growing momentum behind electrification in heavy mining equipment.

Lobito Corridor Rail Upgrade Gains Momentum

US-backed financing package has been finalised to upgrade the Angola DRC Zambia rail corridor. The investment is expected to unlock higher copper and cobalt exports while indirectly driving demand for mining equipment, rail systems and OEM support services across the region.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Strategic Positioning

Fortuna Mining Eyes West African Gold Acquisitions

Fortuna Mining has confirmed it is actively scanning for mid-tier gold assets in West Africa. While no deal closed during the week, the strategy highlights continued consolidation pressure as producers look to rebuild production pipelines through acquisitions.

Guinea and EGA Enter Bauxite Supply Negotiations

Guinea has opened negotiations with Emirates Global Aluminium on a potential bauxite supply arrangement following earlier licence changes. The talks point to a shift toward state-led restructuring of strategic mineral supply chains rather than outright asset exits.

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