Mineral Resources Latest News (Feb 2026)

Prices & Reserves

1. Copper prices hit record highs; China expands strategic copper reserves and studies adding copper concentrates to reserves, with major state-owned producers boosting commercial stocks.
2. US launched the $12 billion "Project Vault" on Feb 3 to stockpile 60 critical minerals (rare earths, lithium, cobalt, gallium, germanium) to reduce reliance on Chinese supply.
3. Australia established a A$1.2 billion strategic mineral reserve on Jan 30, covering antimony, gallium and other vulnerable minerals.

Policy & Market

1. A ministerial meeting in Washington discusses a critical mineral strategic alliance with the US, EU, UK, Japan, Australia and other countries to address supply chain dependencies.
2. Vietnam banned rare earth ore exports and restricted refined rare earth exports from Jan 1, 2026; only approved enterprises can engage in exploration and mining.
3. Ghana overhauls its mining code as gold prices surge 65%; Liberia and ArcelorMittal extended their mineral development agreement to 2050, unlocking iron ore expansion.

Industry & Investment

1. USA Rare Earth secured $3.1 billion in total capital (including $1.6 billion from the US Department of Commerce) to build a domestic rare earth value chain.
2. Denison Mines completed a 138kV transmission line for grid power at the Phoenix uranium mine; Canada Nickel Company awarded a detailed engineering contract for the Crawford nickel project.