Mining Engineering's Weekly Rundown | August 7, 2026. By Mining Engineering August 7, 2026 Welcome to Mining Engineering's Weekly Rundown, where Smenet break down the latest news shaping the mining industry. As usual, Smenet is diving into a few major headlines that are striking the sector. This week's Weekly Rundown is brought to you by Phoenix Process Equipment. Specialists in Dewatering, Washing and Classification. First, Perpetua Resources, the U.S. Army, and Idaho National Laboratory have opened a modular mineral processing pilot plant in Idaho Falls to help establish a domestic supply chain for antimony trisulfide. The facility will process antimony samples from Perpetua's Stibnite Gold Project in central Idaho, which contains the only identified domestic antimony reserve. China and Russia currently dominate global antimony production, and China stopped supplying the United States with military-grade antimony trisulfide in 2021. The pilot plant builds on years of collaboration between Perpetua, the U.S. Army, and Idaho National Laboratory to strengthen domestic processing capabilities. The facility will also support workforce training and could eventually process other critical minerals. Since 2022, Perpetua has received more than $87 million in funding from the U.S. Department of War and the U.S. Army to advance the Stibnite Gold Project and domestic antimony production. Next, Lockheed Martin is negotiating supply agreements with U.S. and Canadian producers as the defense contractor looks to secure domestic sources of critical minerals used in military equipment. According to Reuters, Lockheed is discussing a scandium supply agreement with NioCorp Developments and separate germanium supply agreements with Teck Resources and 5N Plus. The talks follow a Trump administration executive order that makes it more difficult for defense contractors to source critical minerals from China and other prohibited foreign suppliers. NioCorp's proposed agreement would supply 15 metric tons of scandium annually from its Nebraska project, representing roughly one-quarter of current global demand. Negotiations over germanium have continued for more than a year as the companies work through pricing and contract terms. The discussions reflect growing efforts to build North American critical mineral supply chains as defense manufacturers seek more reliable sources of strategic materials. Finally, Glencore plans to pursue a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange as it looks to expand its investor base and support long-term copper growth. The company expects the listing will provide access to Australia's large institutional investment market, where pension assets total about A$4.4 trillion. Chief Executive Gary Nagle said Glencore believes it can qualify for inclusion in the ASX 200 within 12 months before eventually joining the ASX 100. The listing follows unsuccessful merger discussions with Rio Tinto earlier this year and comes as the six-month standstill period on those talks nears its end. Analysts say an Australian listing could also make future mergers or acquisitions involving Australian mining companies easier. Glencore aims to increase annual copper production to approximately 1.6 million metric tons by 2035, nearly doubling expected production levels for this year. For full details on these stories and more, visit its online magazine at me.smenet.org Post tags. 0 of 3 minutes, 35 seconds Volume 0%

Perpetua, U.S. Army and Idaho National lab celebrate antimony plant's launch. Reducing critical mineral processing reliance on China is the aim of the game 4 hours ago America is continually taking steps to cut its dependence on Chinese refining of critical minerals, focusing on domestic capacity and alternative partners to secure supply chains. In a recent stride for greater independence, Perpetua Resources Corp (TSE: PPTA) (NASDAQ: PPTA), the US Army and the Idaho National Laboratory opened a modular antimony pilot plant in Idaho Falls with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Jul. 29. Idaho Governor Brad Little, Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, Congressman Mike Simpson and laboratory director John Wagner joined Perpetua chief executive Jon Cherry at the event. The plant will process samples from Perpetua's Stibnite gold-antimony project in central Idaho to produce antimony trisulfide suited to military and industrial needs. Antimony hardens ammunition, supports night vision equipment, missiles, nuclear applications, semiconductors, batteries, solar glass and flame retardants. The inauguration comes after China imposed successive export controls from 2023 and a targeted ban on the United States in late 2024, prompting sustained American efforts to rebuild processing capacity. The facility forms part of a multi year Army collaboration that has directed more than 87 million dollars in federal support to Perpetua since 2022. Perpetua Resources stock rose about 7 per cent on the news. The American National Mining Association offered its congratulations on social media. "I'm proud to have supported this partnership from the beginning and look forward to seeing the important role it will play for our country," said Simpson in a news release from Perpetua. Trade tensions backdrop and alternative supplies. China has suspended its ban on antimony exports to the United States until Nov. 27, but broader licensing requirements and restrictions on military end users remain. The temporary pause eases immediate pressure somewhat, but little antimony shipments have been flowing into the U.S. from China nonetheless. Washington has therefore pursued other reliable sources. In June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tajikistan's foreign minister to discuss expanded commercial ties in critical minerals, noting the Central Asian nation's standing as the world's second largest antimony producer with substantial untapped reserves. South Korea has also stepped forward to help the Americans. Korea Zinc Inc (KRX: 0101030) started making shipments of antimony to American industrial and defence customers in 2025 and plans to raise volumes further, offering another alternative amid persistent supply concerns. Broader domestic efforts take shape. The Idaho pilot plant forms one element of a wider push to ease supply challenges across several states. In Nevada, NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) just published its first mineral resource estimate at Limo Butte, a site that offers a relatively quick path to production because material already sits ready for processing on site. Government support has also reached United States Antimony Corp (NYSE: UAMY), which received US$27 million in March to expand its Montana refining operations and begin extraction work in Alaska. This builds on an earlier large defence stockpile contract. Parallel progress continues in Alaska as well, where Nova Minerals Ltd (OTCMKTS: NVAAF) (FRA: QM3) (ASX: NVA) is advancing its Estelle project with US$43.4 million in federal funding aimed at military-grade output. Moreover, Felix Gold Ltd (ASX: FXG) (OTCMKTS: FXGDF) (FRA: W0X) is currently stockpiling high-grade material at Treasure Creek that already meets military specifications. Closer to the Idaho plant, the Galena Complex run by Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (TSE: USA) (NYSEAMERICAN: USAS) (FRA: SZ71) remains the country's largest active antimony producer and is now developing additional processing capacity through a joint venture with UAMY. Antimony prices have eased in recent months. Chinese values fell more than 20 per cent during July under weaker demand and greater overseas availability. Western markets still command a premium in comparison to past years despite the considerable dip, but volatility remains a concern. NevGold is a sponsor of Mugglehead news coverage [email protected]