Agnico Eagle Mines is acquiring Rupert Resources for about C$2.9 billion and, together with deals for Aurion Resources and B2Gold’s 70% stake in the Fingold JV, will control roughly 2,492 sq. km in Finland’s Central Lapland Greenstone Belt. The consolidated hub will link the Kittila mine (3.3 Moz probable reserves) with Rupert’s Ikkari project (3.5 Moz probable reserves), targeting about 500,000 oz/year of gold production within a decade and up to $500 million in operating and development synergies. Agnico plans C$20 million of Ikkari drilling in 18 months and C$60–100 million in regional exploration over three years, with an internal mine evaluation due by end-2027.

Peru has reauthorised the mining permit for Southern Copper’s $1.8 billion Tía María project, clearing La Tapada open-pit’s first-stage operations after Minem confirmed compliance on environmental certification, ownership, and safety and health obligations, including previously incomplete waste dump design and project scheduling. The project, in Arequipa, is slated to produce 120,000 tonnes of copper per year for 20 years, with start-up targeted between late 2026 and early 2027, adding to Southern Copper’s Toquepala, Cuajone and Ilo operations. The decision lands amid a chaotic presidential run-off and roughly $7 billion of stalled copper projects linked to illegal mining.

Assarel-Medet has taken delivery of a 300 t class Liebherr R 9350 E electric excavator for its Assarel copper mine at Bul in Bulgaria’s Pazardzhik province, the fifth large electric Liebherr excavator supplied to the company by Liebherr-Export and local partner Alki-L. The R 9350 E, powered by an electric drive rather than diesel, delivers zero on-site greenhouse gas emissions at the face, supporting lower ventilation demand and reduced fuel logistics for the open-pit operation.