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Northern Graphite will prioritise a US$200 million battery anode material plant at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, with initial capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year from 2028, supplied by the restarted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia (planned 31,000 t/y over 10 years at a restart cost of about US$35 million). Partner Al Obeikan will hold 51%, lead local debt raising, and tap the Saudi Industrial Development Fund to cover 50–75% of capex, leveraging fast permitting. Planned 20,000 t/y plants in Baie-Comeau, Quebec and France are now secondary, with CEO Hugues Jacquemin calling the Saudi deal a “wake-up call” for stronger power allocations and incentives.

Wheaton Precious Metals will appoint current president Haytham Hodaly as president and CEO and Board member from 31 March 2026, with long-serving CEO and co‑founder Randy Smallwood moving to non‑executive Chair and current Chair George Brack becoming Lead Independent Director. Hodaly, a mining engineer and former RBC mining analyst, has led over US$11 billion in streaming transactions since joining Wheaton in 2012, shaping its deal pipeline and technical due diligence. The succession keeps strategic continuity at one of the sector’s largest precious metals streaming companies as it targets new gold and silver projects.

US mineral supply chains became more exposed in 2025, with the USGS reporting 100% import reliance for 16 of 90 tracked non-fuel commodities and more than 50% reliance for 54 minerals, up from 15 and 46 respectively in 2024. The US is totally dependent on imports of arsenic, natural graphite, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium sponge and 10 other minerals, with China supplying nearly half of arsenic and graphite, 55% of antimony and 70% of rare earths. In response, the Trump administration has proposed a $12 billion critical minerals stockpile and a JD Vance-led allied trade bloc, while industry warns US mine permitting still averages 29 years.

Heliostar Metals has poured first gold from the restarted San Agustin open-pit mine in Durango, Mexico, its second producing asset after La Colorada, with remaining reserves expected to yield about 45,000 oz. The company’s 2026 guidance calls for 50,000–55,000 oz of gold, including 30,000–32,700 oz from San Agustin, at an all-in sustaining cost of US$2,000/oz, after restarting the operation on time and on budget. A 10,000–15,000 m drilling campaign is targeting additional oxide mineralisation beyond the current 14‑month mine life based on 7.36 Mt at 0.29 g/t Au (68,000 oz probable reserves).

DPM Metals has extended the Chelopech gold-copper mine in Bulgaria to a 10-year life after a 20% increase in measured and indicated resources to 15.3 million tonnes grading 2.18 g/t gold, 9.19 g/t silver and 0.64% copper, plus 9.1 million inferred tonnes at slightly lower grades. Updated reserves now total 1.6 million oz. gold, 6.23 million oz. silver and 308 million lb. copper, supporting roughly 160,000 gold-equivalent oz. per year based on a higher US$2,300/oz gold price assumption. The model incorporates the Sharlo Dere prospect but excludes the Wedge Zone Deep discovery, 300 m below current workings, where new drilling results are due in Q2.

DfT has launched early market engagement for a public-private partnership to design, build and maintain the HS2 Euston high-speed terminus, seeking private finance and long-term asset management capability alongside Network Rail and HS2 Ltd. The PPP is expected to cover the full station delivery scope, including over-site development interfaces, complex staging around existing classic rail operations, and integration with London Underground and local highways. Prospective bidders will need to address construction phasing on a heavily constrained urban site, whole-life cost performance, and handback standards over a multi-decade concession.

Construction of the $16bn (£12bn) Hudson Tunnel Project beneath the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey has been paused after federal funding disbursements were halted mid-programme. Developer entities backing the new twin-bore rail tunnel, designed to add capacity and resilience alongside the existing 1910 North River Tunnels on the Northeast Corridor, have filed suit against the White House alleging breach of contract. The stoppage raises immediate risk of contractor demobilisation, schedule slippage on critical underground works, and cost escalation for major civils and geotechnical packages already procured.

Rio Tinto scrapped merger talks with Glencore in under 24 hours after deciding no structure could deliver sufficient value, rejecting Glencore’s push for its shareholders to hold about 40% of a combined $232 billion group. The core dispute was valuation: Rio wanted a split near the market-implied 69–31 with full control of both chair and CEO roles, while Glencore argued for roughly 60–40 to reflect its coal, trading arm and 10 copper growth projects, or a clear takeover premium. A deal would have doubled Rio’s copper output to around 1 Mt of future growth and reduced its iron ore dependence, but divergent views on commodity cycles and portfolio value killed the transaction.

The UK Treasury has issued a slimmed‑down Green Book, revising the appraisal rules that govern billions of pounds of public investment in transport, flood defences and other major infrastructure. The update is intended to give “overlooked” regions a stronger case in cost‑benefit analysis by rebalancing how wider economic impacts, distributional effects and place‑based regeneration are valued alongside pure benefit–cost ratios. Civil and geotechnical schemes in lower‑income or lower‑productivity areas could now score better in business cases for road upgrades, rail links and resilience works.

National Grid Electricity Distribution and UK startup Space Solar have begun a feasibility study into using wireless power transmission on Britain’s electricity network, assessing whether high-frequency radio or microwave links could move bulk power without new overhead lines or buried cables. The project will examine integration with existing 132kV–400kV infrastructure, potential use between substations or across constrained corridors, and impacts on grid stability, conversion efficiency and electromagnetic compatibility. Outcomes could influence future routing strategies where planning, geotechnical or wayleave constraints block conventional transmission assets.

Short-term confidence among London construction contractors has dipped, with Aecom’s latest survey citing rising input costs and persistent skills shortages across key trades. Firms report pressure from higher prices for materials such as steel and concrete, alongside difficulty recruiting experienced site managers, project planners and specialist subcontractors. The survey points to tighter margins on major infrastructure and commercial schemes in the capital, with contractors likely to price in greater risk allowances and become more selective about bidding.

Greatland Resources has added a Cat 6060 hydraulic mining shovel to the Telfer gold-copper mine fleet in Western Australia’s Paterson Province, its first Caterpillar unit supplied by local dealer WesTrac. The ultra-class shovel, which typically pairs with 220–250 t haul trucks and offers around 60–70 t nominal payload per pass, took three weeks to assemble on site. The deployment signals a move towards higher-capacity loading at Telfer, with implications for matching truck fleets, pit floor stability and dig face design.

Eramet’s Grande Côte mineral sands operation in Senegal has achieved IRMA 50 performance level, the first site in the group to complete an audit under the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance standard. The voluntary assessment, aligned with Eramet’s 2022 CSR roadmap “Act for Positive Mining”, covers mine planning, tailings and water management, labour and community relations, and closure planning. For engineers, IRMA 50 signals external verification of baseline practices on issues such as dredge mining impacts, rehabilitation of coastal dune systems, and control of process-water circuits.

Willmott Dixon Interiors has secured a £10m contract from Horsham District Council to deliver the first major refurbishment of The Capitol theatre since 2002, covering the main auditorium, cinema screens, toilets, bar areas and box office. Works include full mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades to suit a new internal layout, improved viewing positions and seating for disabled visitors, and decorative enhancements to front-of-house spaces and the external façade. The venue is planned to reopen in late 2026, with the contractor drawing on experience from Brent Civic Centre and The Amelia Scott cultural centre.

Cost estimates for restoring the Palace of Westminster have risen to £18.7bn, nearly triple the £5.7bn upper figure set a decade ago, with current maintenance already running at £1.5m per week. The R&R Client Board proposes a £3bn, seven‑year first phase starting this year, including temporary debating chambers, new office space, underground works, a river delivery jetty and preparation for restoring Cloister Court and refurbishing Victoria Tower. MPs must now choose between a full decant taking 19–24 years at up to £11.5bn, or an EMI+ in‑occupation scheme lasting up to 45 years at £18.7bn, with each year’s delay adding £70m plus £250m–£350m in inflation.

Fire enforcement notices have been served by the Office for Nuclear Regulation on all five MEH alliance contractors at Hinkley Point C – Altrad Babcock, Altrad Services, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, Cavendish Nuclear and NG Bailey – following a December 2025 inspection of the Unit 1 HF electrical building. Inspectors found no suitable fire risk assessment, inadequate means of escape with too few emergency exits for current workforce numbers, and combustible materials stored in a designated emergency stairway. The firms must now embed compliant fire arrangements, while main works contractors Bouygues Travaux Publics and Laing O’Rourke Delivery are separately facing court action over safety breaches.

Profit warnings from FTSE Construction & Materials companies more than trebled in 2025, rising to 18 from five in 2024, with 33% of listed firms issuing at least one warning – the highest level since the 33 alerts seen in 2020. EY-Parthenon attributes 50% of these warnings to contract and order cancellations or delays, with policy change and geopolitical uncertainty cited in 28% and rising costs in 17%. Increasing regulatory complexity around the Building Safety Act, legacy liabilities and labour shortages are eroding margins and straining working capital across project supply chains.

Mackley has secured a £12m contract from Barking Riverside Limited to remodel 500 metres of Thames foreshore in east London, raising the flood defence crest from +7.1mOD to +8.2mOD in line with the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy. Works, starting February 2026 and lasting about 14 months, will use regrading, reinforced concrete walls and localised sheet piling, with surface water managed via swales, attenuation basins and storage tanks. The scheme adds a new riverside terrace east of Barking Riverside Pier, upgraded pedestrian routes and 1,250 m² of new intertidal habitat, integrating utilities corridors, fire access and ecological mitigation.

Margins at Scottish and Northern Irish plumbing and heating firms are being squeezed despite solid workloads, with 47% of SNIPEF’s 700 member companies reporting falling profit margins in Q4 2025, up from 35% in Q3, while 93% face rising input costs. Confidence in individual businesses has improved to 45% confident or very confident, but only 9% feel positive about the UK economy and 51% are pessimistic. Acute labour constraints persist, with 67% reporting low local availability of skilled plumbers, yet 64% say they are very unlikely to recruit an apprentice in the next six months due to training costs.

Ardea Resources has secured up to $1 billion in non-binding debt funding support from US EXIM Bank and Export Finance Australia for the Goongarrie Hub nickel–cobalt project, part of its Kalgoorlie Nickel Project in Western Australia. The proposed joint venture targets laterite ore to produce mixed hydroxide precipitate for battery-grade nickel and cobalt, aiming to leverage existing rail and power infrastructure north of Kalgoorlie. The scale of the facility signals continued government-backed appetite for large hydrometallurgical battery metals projects despite weak nickel prices.

McLanahan is promoting structured maintenance strategies for its feeder breakers, which combine controlled chain-feeding with primary size reduction for underground and surface coal operations. The company stresses regular inspection of pick segments, conveyor chains and flight bars, plus correct torqueing of gearbox and drive couplings, to prevent unplanned downtime on high-impact duty cycles. Guidance focuses on planning component change-out intervals around known wear patterns and ensuring OEM-spec parts and clearances are maintained to protect motors, gearboxes and crusher rolls in abrasive, high-throughput environments.

Iltani Resources has secured an $8 million investment to accelerate drilling across its Australian base and precious metals portfolio, signalling continued capital appetite for greenfield exploration despite cost pressures. The funding will support step-out and infill programmes targeting high-grade zones, with a focus on expanding JORC-compliant resources and fast-tracking metallurgical testwork. Alongside the raise, the past week saw new executive appointments and asset divestments across the sector, reshaping exploration pipelines and reallocating budgets towards drill-ready prospects.

BHP’s Western Australian Iron Ore (WAIO) operations are installing redesigned haul-truck hoist cylinders that allow higher average payloads per cycle, lifting total moved tonnage and adding an estimated multimillion-dollar annual revenue uplift. The new cylinders are engineered for the existing ultra-class truck fleet rather than requiring new units, targeting improved hoist reliability and reduced unplanned downtime on key production circuits. For mine engineers, the change focuses on payload optimisation and mechanical availability rather than pit redesign or fleet expansion.

CoRE Learning Foundation is partnering with Australian miners to give secondary students hands-on exposure to real mine planning, using site data, block models and basic scheduling tools rather than just classroom theory or Minecraft-style simulations. Students work on authentic design problems such as pit layouts, haul road geometry and waste dump placement, guided by practising engineers and geologists from companies like Mineral Resources. The programme is intended to build STEM capability, demystify modern mining methods and create a more work-ready pipeline of future mining professionals.

MGX Resources has acquired a 50 per cent interest from Northern Star Resources in what is described as one of Australia’s highest-grade undeveloped gold projects in the Northern Territory, signalling renewed investment in brownfield hard-rock exploration. The deal pairs MGX’s growth strategy with Northern Star’s established operational expertise and processing infrastructure. For mine planners and geotechnical teams, the joint ownership structure points to potential fast-tracked drilling, resource definition and pit or underground design once development studies commence.

Australia’s first purpose-built battery-electric heavy-haul locomotives have arrived at BHP’s Pilbara iron ore operations, each carrying a seven‑megawatt‑hour onboard battery system with regenerative braking to capture energy on downhill loaded runs. Built by Progress Rail and Wabtec for the 1,435mm‑gauge network between the Pilbara mines and Port Hedland, the units will initially operate in mixed consists with diesel to validate traction power, range and charging strategies under 40,000‑tonne train loads. Results will directly influence future mainline fleet replacement, rail power supply design and braking strategies on long, 1–2 per cent ruling gradients.

Consultation has opened on Hobart’s Northern Access Road, a new link from the Tasman Highway/McVilly Drive interchange curving around to serve the Macquarie Point Development Precinct as a primary transport corridor. Draft concept designs focus on separating port, freight and event traffic from city streets, with new intersections and grade changes to tie into existing Tasman Highway ramps. Geotechnical and civil inputs will be critical around waterfront ground conditions, existing bridge abutments and maintaining traffic capacity during staged construction.

Rio Tinto and Glencore have formally walked away from talks over what would have been the world’s largest mining merger, which could have combined Rio’s iron ore, bauxite and copper portfolio with Glencore’s extensive coal and trading operations. The collapsed deal would have created a diversified giant spanning Pilbara iron ore, Queensland and New South Wales coal, and major copper assets in South America and Africa. For engineers and project teams, the decision signals both companies will continue to run separate capital pipelines, procurement frameworks and technical standards rather than moving to a unified project delivery model.

Global gold demand is shifting structurally as record-high prices coincide with unprecedented central bank buying, with reserves tracked from 1990 to Q3 2025 against the six most-held reserve currencies. World Gold Council data compare year-on-year changes in 2024–2025 across key demand segments, including central banks, investment, jewellery and technology. A price outlook through January 2027 frames planning for miners and refiners exposed to safe-haven flows and reserve-management decisions in an increasingly fractured geopolitical environment.

Utah-based Ionic Mineral Technologies is preparing a 2027 IPO for its Silicon Ridge ion-adsorption clay rare earths project, having hired Citigroup and targeted offtake agreements and scale-up funding before listing. The fully permitted, shovel-ready project near Provo will leverage an existing processing facility and hosts rare earths plus gallium, germanium and tungsten in a clay system similar to those supplying roughly 35–40% of China’s rare earth output. An economic assessment is due in H1 2026, with the US planning a $12 billion critical minerals stockpile and a preferential trade bloc with the EU, Japan and Mexico.

Equinox Gold plans a Canada-led production surge to 700,000–800,000 oz gold in 2026, driven by the Greenstone mine in Ontario (guidance 250,000–300,000 oz) and the Valentine mine in Newfoundland (150,000–200,000 oz) as both ramp up to design capacity. Output will be supplemented by 200,000–250,000 oz from its Nicaragua complex and 70,000–80,000 oz from the Mesquite mine in California. Following a US$1 billion divestment of three Brazilian mines and a US$1.8 billion merger with Calibre Mining, the company is targeting self-funded growth, including a potential Valentine Phase 2 and progress at Los Filos subject to long-term community agreements.

A rich silver strike at the Laurion mining district in southern Attica in 483 BCE funded Athens’ decision to build roughly 200 warships and fortify the port of Piraeus instead of paying a citizen dividend. Themistocles’ push to channel mining revenue into naval infrastructure underpinned Athens’ victory over the Persian fleet at Salamis in 480 BCE and its emergence as a dominant maritime power. Adrian Pocobelli links this episode to modern resource investment, stressing how concentrated mineral wealth reshapes trade routes, alliances and geopolitical risk.

Cornish Metals has received a letter of interest from the US Export-Import Bank for up to $225 million in financing to restart the historic South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall, conditional on supplying “responsible” tin to the US electronics sector. South Crofty hosts 2.9 million indicated tonnes at 1.5% tin and 2.63 million inferred tonnes at 1.42% tin, with a PEA outlining a 14-year life, average 4,700 t/y tin output and £198 million pre-production capex. The project’s after-tax NPV6 is £180 million with a 20% IRR and 3.3-year payback, with EXIM funding potentially covering almost all initial capital.

Only 7% of National Highways’ 7,500km Strategic Road Network has been upgraded to the climate resilience standards the agency adopted around 2004, leaving most trunk roads and motorways still designed for historic rainfall and temperature assumptions. The adapted sections typically feature improved drainage capacity, revised pavement materials and embankment strengthening to manage more intense storms and higher groundwater levels. For designers and asset managers, this signals a large backlog of climate adaptation works on cuttings, embankments and pavement structures that will need to be integrated into future renewals and RIS programmes.

Silver plunged more than 15% to about $75/oz on Thursday, extending last week’s record crash and leaving prices roughly 35% below the $121.64/oz all‑time high reached last month after a 130% year‑on‑year surge. Metals Daily CEO Ross Norman blames heavy speculation in China for “wreaking havoc” on bullion price discovery, with Sucden Financial’s Daria Efanova and Viktoria Kuszak describing a “flow‑driven” market dominated by CTA and speculative positioning rather than physical fundamentals. Gold also slipped about 3% to $4,800/oz, now 10% below pre‑crash levels.

Komatsu North America has agreed to acquire the assets of SRC of Lexington, a Kentucky-based specialist in remanufactured components and parts for construction and mining equipment, with closing targeted by the end of February 2026 subject to standard conditions. SRC’s portfolio covers major wear and high-value items such as engines, transmissions and hydraulic components, supporting life-extension strategies for large haul trucks and shovels. The deal signals further consolidation of the reman supply chain, with OEM-backed reman seen as a way to stabilise component availability and rebuild cycles at remote mine sites.

WSP and Mott MacDonald have secured a £25M contract from Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE‑N) to deliver environmental services and permitting support for the proposed small modular reactor (SMR) development at Wylfa on Anglesey. The consultancies will lead environmental impact assessment, regulatory interface and consents strategy for the multi‑unit SMR site, a former nuclear location with complex coastal, seismic and ecological constraints. Early permitting work will be critical for geotechnical investigations, marine works and long‑lead nuclear island foundations once a reactor technology is selected.

Barrick Mining plans to spin off its North American gold assets, including its stake in Nevada Gold Mines, Pueblo Viejo and the 4.6 million indicated tonnes at 17.59 g/t Au Fourmile deposit, into a New York–listed “NewCo” by late 2026 while retaining a significant majority interest. Interim chief Mark Hill, a 20-year Barrick veteran involved in the original Fourmile exploration decision and the Loulo-Gounkoto permit settlement in Mali, has been confirmed as CEO. Barrick has also launched a full review of the $7.7 billion Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan after security incidents, despite reporting record Q4 net income of $2.4 billion and raising its dividend to US$0.42 per share.

Investment in constructing energy infrastructure delivers the largest economic growth multiplier among infrastructure classes, according to new modelling by Boston Consulting Group. The analysis compares grid and transmission upgrades with sectors such as transport, water and social infrastructure, finding that spending on energy networks generates the highest indirect gains through supply-chain activity and productivity. For civil and geotechnical engineers, the findings strengthen the case for capital programmes focused on high-voltage transmission, distribution reinforcement and grid‑connection works for renewables.

Rio Tinto has walked away from merger talks with Glencore that would have created a $232 billion mining giant controlling about 7% of global copper output, after rejecting a structure under which Rio would hold the chair and CEO roles and pro forma control. Glencore argued the terms and proposed share-exchange ratio, reportedly targeting roughly 40% ownership, materially undervalued its copper business and overall contribution. The collapse, the third failed attempt since 2008, triggered share price falls of up to 11% for Glencore and 2.5% for Rio in London trading.

Pronto.ai has launched Pronto AHS VLR and Pronto AHS VLR 360, extending its OEM-agnostic autonomous haulage portfolio beyond the existing Vision-Only system into a three-tier “Pronto Editions” architecture. The new VLR variants are aimed at variable labour and resource environments, offering different sensor and compute configurations to match site constraints rather than a single fixed-spec AHS package. For mine operators, this tiered approach allows phased autonomy deployment across mixed fleets and pit conditions, potentially lowering upfront capex and easing integration with legacy haul trucks.

Resolute Mining has secured a 14‑year mining permit for the Doropo gold project in north‑eastern Côte d’Ivoire, enabling development of a multi‑pit, shallow‑dipping ore operation feeding a 4.9 Mtpa carbon‑in‑leach plant with crushing, SAG milling and gold extraction circuits. The updated definitive feasibility study outlines average output of 169,000 oz/y over 13 years at an all‑in sustaining cost of $1,406/oz, with first production targeted for 2028 after a roughly two‑year build starting in H1 2026. Total capex is estimated at 300 billion CFA francs (about $539 million), with an additional $204 million budgeted for exploration in Côte d’Ivoire.

Government approval of a £112M Development Consent Order will replace the congested A46 Walsgrave roundabout near Coventry with a fully grade-separated junction on this key north–south freight corridor. National Highways plans free-flow mainline movements with local traffic diverted via new slip roads and bridges, removing the existing at-grade conflict that regularly causes long peak-hour queues. For designers and contractors, the scheme will involve complex staging to maintain A46 traffic, significant earthworks, and new structures over existing utilities and local access roads.

Campaigners have taken the flood-prone Tarka rail line in North Devon to Parliament, with Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome presenting a petition to the House of Commons on 4 February calling for urgent resilience works. The route, which runs on low-lying floodplain sections beside the River Taw and serves Barnstaple and Exeter, has suffered repeated closures during heavy rainfall. Any upgrade programme is likely to focus on trackbed raising, improved drainage outfalls and scour protection at vulnerable embankments and bridge approaches.