Monthly Mining News Summary – July 2026

July 2026 highlighted how rapidly the global mining industry is being reshaped by geopolitics, stronger copper and gold markets, accelerating automation and renewed pressure to improve mine safety. Governments expanded their involvement in critical-mineral supply chains, while the world’s largest diversified miners reported a growing contribution from copper and other future-facing commodities.

At operational level, autonomous and battery-electric equipment moved further into commercial deployment, with several new machines and large fleet agreements announced during the month. This edition summarises the most significant and frequently discussed developments reported across the international mining sector during July 2026.

Critical Minerals Geopolitics and Corporate Strategy

US critical-mineral independence deadline faces practical challenges

The United States continued its push to reduce reliance on Chinese critical minerals, but analysis published in July showed that domestic mining and processing capacity remains insufficient to replace Chinese supplies by the beginning of 2027.

Although substantial federal funding has been directed towards mining, refining, magnets and strategic stockpiles, the US still lacks commercial-scale capacity for several minerals used in defence, electronics and advanced manufacturing. Temporary sourcing exemptions may therefore remain necessary while new Western processing projects are developed.

Source:
Trump may need to allow Chinese minerals as US industry struggles to meet 2027 deadline

US backs Madagascar rare-earth development

The US government committed development funding to the Ampasindava rare-earth project in Madagascar, reinforcing Western efforts to establish alternative sources of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium.

The planned project, led by Harena Rare Earths, is targeting annual production of approximately 4,000 tonnes of rare-earth oxides. It is also exploring partnerships with Western refiners and magnet-material producers. The development illustrates Africa’s growing strategic importance in the competition to diversify critical-mineral supply chains.

Source:
US backs Madagascar rare-earth project in push to loosen China’s supply-chain grip

Queensland positions itself as a trusted critical-minerals partner

Queensland launched a new strategy aimed at attracting international investment into its copper, zinc, tungsten, vanadium, phosphate and other critical-mineral resources.

The strategy prioritises faster project delivery, expansion of processing capacity, new infrastructure and streamlined government approvals. It is closely aligned with broader Australia–US efforts to develop supply chains outside China and increase Western access to both mined material and downstream processing.

Source:
Queensland targets US investment with critical-minerals strategy

Ghana moves to strengthen mining oversight

Ghana’s government approved proposed amendments to the country’s mining legislation for submission to parliament. The reforms are intended to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve governance of mineral resources and support the campaign against illegal mining.

The proposals reflect a broader trend across mineral-producing countries: governments are seeking a larger economic contribution from mining while increasing scrutiny of licensing, environmental compliance and local participation.

Source:
Reuters reporting on Ghana’s revised mining legislation

Corporate Moves, M&A Trends and Financial Highlights

Copper increasingly drives earnings at BHP and Rio Tinto

July’s financial reporting showed a significant structural change at the world’s largest diversified miners. Copper and related by-products accounted for more than half of BHP’s operating profit, while Rio Tinto’s non-iron-ore businesses outperformed its iron-ore division for the first time.

The results underline how copper is becoming central to major-miner valuations. Electrification, grid investment, renewable energy, data centres and artificial-intelligence infrastructure are strengthening the strategic position of companies with large, long-life copper assets.

Source:
Iron-ore giants BHP and Rio are morphing into copper plays

Rio Tinto reports strongest underlying performance since 2022

Rio Tinto reported a 43% increase in first-half underlying earnings, supported by higher commodity prices, improved productivity and stronger contributions from copper, aluminium and lithium.

The company also reported progress towards its productivity targets. With iron ore now contributing less than half of group earnings, Rio Tinto’s diversification strategy is becoming more visible. The performance revived discussion about whether the group could again consider major acquisitions or strategic combinations.

Source:
Rio results are a pre-M&A roadshow

Anglo American advances restructuring and proposed Teck merger

Anglo American reduced its first-half loss and increased its interim dividend as stronger copper earnings and cost savings improved the group’s performance.

The company continued work on the disposal of De Beers and its planned exits from steelmaking coal and nickel. Its proposed all-share merger with Teck Resources remained subject to final Chinese regulatory approval. The combination would create one of the world’s largest copper producers, with a portfolio concentrated in major operations and politically stable jurisdictions.

Source:
Anglo American first-half loss shrinks as Teck merger awaits approval

Zijin’s proposed Allied Gold acquisition collapses

Zijin Gold and Allied Gold terminated their proposed US$4 billion transaction after the deal encountered regulatory and political obstacles.

The transaction would have expanded Zijin’s exposure to major African gold operations, particularly in Mali and Ethiopia. Zijin will instead acquire a strategic minority interest in Allied Gold. The collapse demonstrated how geopolitical risk, government assurances and cross-border regulatory approvals can determine the outcome of even highly advanced mining transactions.

Source:
Zijin’s US$4 billion deal with Allied Gold collapses

Fortescue faces China-related commercial pressure

Fortescue reported a 5% decline in quarterly iron-ore shipments and rising unit costs while also warning that actions by China Mineral Resources Group were disrupting supply stability.

The development followed difficult annual contract negotiations and restrictions affecting the acceptance of some Fortescue products by Chinese steel mills. It illustrated China’s influence not only as the world’s largest iron-ore buyer, but also as a more coordinated and assertive participant in commercial negotiations.

Source:
Fortescue says China Mineral Resources Group actions are disrupting supply stability

Operational Performance, Digitalisation and Automation

Mining-equipment demand remains strong

Epiroc reported a 13% organic increase in orders during the second quarter, with equipment orders rising by 30%. Revenue and operating profit also increased, while exploration-related demand recorded particularly strong growth.

The results indicate continued confidence among mining companies, especially those exposed to copper and gold. High commodity prices are supporting investment in drilling, mine development, fleet replacement, automation and productivity improvements.

Source:
Epiroc interim report – second quarter 2026

Autonomous underground loader enters production environment

Aramine and sensmore introduced an automated, battery-powered Aramine L140B loader into underground production at a Cemex operation in Germany.

The 1.3-tonne loader is designed for narrow-vein and confined underground applications. Rather than operating as an isolated machine, it has been connected to the mine’s control system, conveyors, communications network, functional-safety systems and wider production flow.

The deployment demonstrates how smaller underground operations can apply automation to reduce worker exposure, address skilled-labour shortages and improve production consistency.

Source:
Aramine and sensmore bring underground loader into the autonomous era

Maintenance improvement delivers major crusher savings

A South American copper operation reported annual savings of more than US$2.8 million after introducing a specialised gear oil and improved lubrication practices for its crushers.

The change increased production availability, significantly reduced lubricant consumption and lowered the requirement for unplanned maintenance. Beyond the financial benefit, fewer emergency interventions also reduced worker exposure to maintenance-related hazards.

Source:
South American copper mine reduces crusher downtime

New Technology

Cabless autonomous electric trucks move into operation

July saw several major announcements involving cabless, battery-electric and autonomous mining trucks.

At SPIC’s South open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia, the AT-150 entered operation as a fully electric, bidirectional and unmanned rigid mining truck. Its design removes the traditional operator cab and allows the truck to travel in either direction without turning.

Source:
Bidirectional, cabless autonomous electric truck enters operation

SANY also presented its SKT145Ei, a 90-tonne-class cabless battery-electric autonomous truck designed specifically for unmanned mine haulage.

Source:
SANY launches cabless autonomous battery mining truck

Together, these developments indicate that autonomous haulage is moving beyond the conversion of conventional trucks. Manufacturers are now designing machines from the outset as robotic transport systems.

Agreement signed for 800 autonomous mining trucks

Tonly Heavy Industries announced an agreement to supply 800 autonomous mining trucks to Xinjiang Hanxiang.

The scale of the agreement demonstrates the speed at which autonomous haulage is expanding in China. Large fleet deployments can create the operating data, standardisation and economies of scale required to reduce costs and accelerate adoption at other mines.

Source:
Tonly signs agreement to deliver 800 autonomous trucks

Battery-electric fleets demonstrate commercial scale

Yutong reported successful operation of a 100-truck battery-electric fleet at the Baoqing Chaoyang coal mine.

The trucks incorporate battery monitoring and early-warning systems, with improvements designed to extend battery life and reduce operational safety risks.

Source:
Yutong reports successful operation of 100 battery-electric mining trucks

LiuGong also began construction of an electric heavy-equipment factory in Indonesia, supporting growing regional demand for electric mining and construction equipment.

Source:
LiuGong begins construction of electric heavy-equipment factory in Indonesia

Safety

Pakistan coal-mine explosion kills at least 34 miners

One of July’s most serious mining incidents occurred at the Sorange coal-mining complex near Quetta in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

A methane-gas explosion damaged two neighbouring mines and buried sections of the complex. At least 34 miners were confirmed dead, with rescue and recovery work continuing at a depth of approximately 1,200 metres.

The tragedy again highlighted the severe hazards associated with underground methane accumulation, ventilation failures and emergency access in deep coal mines.

Source:
Death toll rises after explosion at Pakistan coal-mine complex

Level 9 collision avoidance introduced at Lomas Bayas

Glencore’s Lomas Bayas copper mine in Chile upgraded collision-avoidance technology on its large tyre handlers to Level 9 functionality.

Using sensors and AI-enabled cameras, the system establishes a 360-degree detection area around the machine. When a person enters the danger zone, the equipment can stop automatically without relying solely on operator reaction.

The application is particularly important because tyre-handling work requires personnel to operate close to heavy machines and large components in confined spaces.

Source:
Lomas Bayas deploys Level 9 collision-avoidance system

Passive dust control attracts renewed attention

New work on passive dust-control systems at conveyor transfer points highlighted the potential to reduce airborne emissions, product loss and maintenance requirements without using powered extraction systems.

Dust remains a significant occupational-health and environmental risk at mines and processing plants. Systems requiring little energy and limited maintenance could therefore offer practical improvements, particularly at remote operations.

Source:
Evaluating passive dust control at conveyor transfer points

Key Takeaways – July 2026

✓ The difficulty of rapidly replacing Chinese critical-mineral supply and processing capacity became increasingly clear.

✓ Governments continued backing new projects in Africa, Australia and other strategically important jurisdictions.

✓ Copper is becoming a dominant earnings driver for the world’s largest diversified mining companies.

✓ Major transactions remain exposed to regulatory approvals, geopolitical risks and resource-nationalism concerns.

✓ Autonomous equipment is moving from converted conventional machines towards purpose-designed, cabless robotic vehicles.

✓ Battery-electric mining fleets are reaching commercial scale, particularly at Chinese and Asian operations.

✓ Collision avoidance, automated intervention and reduced worker exposure remain central to mining-safety innovation.

✓ The Pakistan coal-mine disaster underlined the continuing need for stronger gas monitoring, ventilation, emergency planning and regulatory enforcement.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Information is based on publicly available sources as of July 2026.