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Glencore–Rio Tinto Buyout Talks Signal Potential Mega-Merger in Global Mining

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 Constance

Glencore and Rio Tinto in Early Buyout Talks That Could Create World’s Largest Mining Company Glencore and Rio Tinto have confirmed they are engaged in early-stage buyout discussions that could lead to the creation of the world’s largest mining company, with a combined market value of nearly US$207 billion. The talks come as global mining companies race to scale up their exposure to critical metals such as copper, which is expected to see surging demand driven by the global energy transition and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia News in Brief

Zambia’s Aerial Mineral Mapping Survey Hits 55% Completion

January 10, 2026January 12, 2026 Constance

Zambia Aerial Mineral Mapping Survey Progress Reaches 55%, Copperbelt Zone Nears Completion Zambia’s Aerial Mineral Mapping Survey has reached 55 per cent completion, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to advance mineral exploration. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Hapenga Kabeta, confirmed that Zone B, which primarily covers the Copperbelt region, is nearing completion. “The government remains committed to providing all necessary support to ensure the survey is successfully completed,” Dr. Kabeta stated. A more detailed update will be provided by the Minister of… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

DRC Mines Minister Highlights Training as Key to Sustainable Mineral Development

January 10, 2026January 10, 2026 Constance

DRC Mining Sector Boosted by Training Programs for Administration Staff, Says Minister Louis Watum The Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Louis Watum Kabamba, emphasized the critical role of administrative training in achieving the sustainable development of the country’s vast mineral resources. “The sustainable development of the DRC’s immense mineral resources depends primarily on the quality of human capital,” said Minister Watum during a ceremony presenting certificates of participation in continuing education programs for managers and staff of the Mines administration. The event was presided over by… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Critical Minerals

DRC Urged to Define Strategic and Critical Minerals for Energy Transition

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Resource Matters Calls on DRC to Establish Clear Framework for Strategic and Critical Minerals While many countries have developed clear strategies distinguishing between “strategic” and “critical” minerals, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has yet to define a comprehensive list of minerals requiring special attention in its energy transition strategy. This observation comes from the NGO Resource Matters in its December 2025 publication on the local development of minerals essential to the energy transition. Currently, only cobalt, coltan, and germanium are classified as “strategic minerals” in the DRC. According to… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

DRC Cobalt Prices Stall at $52,100 per Ton as Global Demand Outlook Remains Uncertain

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Cobalt Prices Stabilize After Rapid December Surge Amid Market Uncertainty After a period of rapid growth through December 22, 2025, cobalt prices have stabilized on the international market. Having climbed from USD 50,958 to over USD 52,000 per ton in just a few weeks, the price of this strategic mineral—of which the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the world’s leading producer—has now plateaued. Data for January 5–10, 2026, indicate cobalt export prices at USD 52,107 per ton, slightly below the previous week’s USD 52,111, reflecting a marginal decline. This… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity

NGO Calls on DRC Govt to Ensure Mining Electricity Benefits Local Communities

January 7, 2026January 8, 2026 Constance

Resource Matters Urges DRC to Publish Mining-Linked Energy Concessions to Protect Communities To prevent mining companies in the lithium sector from monopolizing electricity solely for their operations at the expense of local communities, the NGO Resource Matters has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to make all concession contracts related to energy assets linked to mining publicly available. The recommendation appears in Resource Matters’ white paper, “From Raw Ore to Local Processing: Ways to Increase Added Value,” published in December 2025. The report highlights concerns over the opacity… Read More Here

Mining Personality Corporate News Mining in DRC News in Brief

Alphamin Resources Director Paul Baloyi Steps Down

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Alphamin Resources Director Resigns After Six Years on Board AltX- and TSX-V-listed Alphamin Resources has announced that Paul Baloyi will resign from the company’s board of directors, effective January 31, 2026. Baloyi has served on Alphamin’s board since April 2017 as a representative of the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa. In a statement released on January 5, the company expressed its appreciation: “The board of directors wishes to thank him for his contributions to Alphamin during his tenure.” Alphamin Resources owns and operates the Mpama North and South tin… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News

Jubilee Metals Receives $10 Million as It Refocuses on Zambian Copper

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Jubilee Metals Cashes in on South African Chrome Sale to Boost Copper Operations in Zambia AltX-listed Jubilee Metals Group, now concentrating on copper production in Zambia, has received the second $10-million cash instalment from South African private mining group One Chrome, following the completion of its sale of Jubilee’s South African chrome and platinum group metals (PGM) operations. In a statement dated August 12, 2025, Jubilee said the transaction strategically positions the company within the copper sector, which offers higher investor recognition, stronger valuation multiples, and a well-defined peer group.… Read More Here

International Economy Gold

Gold Prices Rally as Geopolitical Tensions Rise After Venezuela Leadership Crisis

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Gold Surges on Safe-Haven Demand Following Venezuela Leadership Captured by U.S. Gold prices advanced sharply on Monday as investors sought safe-haven assets amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Spot gold climbed to a one-week high near $4,455 per ounce, approaching the record levels seen at the end of 2025, while U.S. gold futures also strengthened.The Economic Times Investors increased allocations to gold and other precious metals after the weekend’s events in Venezuela triggered concerns about regional instability and broader… Read More Here

Battery Metals Lithium Mining in DRC

Resource Matters Warns of Weak Lithium Permitting Oversight in the DRC

January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 Constance

Resource Matters Criticizes DRC Authorities Over Lack of Transparency in Lithium Mining Permits In a white paper published in December 2025 on value creation in strategic minerals such as copper, cobalt, and lithium, the NGO Resource Matters highlights significant shortcomings in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) lithium permitting process. The organization, which advocates for transparency and good governance in the extractive sector, points to a lack of rigor by Congolese authorities in granting exploitation permits for lithium, a critical mineral for the global energy transition. According to Resource Matters,… Read More Here