EU antitrust regulators have issued a formal statement of objections to MMG’s planned acquisition of Anglo American’s Brazilian nickel business, focusing on low-carbon ferronickel output from the Barro Alto mine and processing plant. The European Commission warns MMG, controlled via China Minmetals and SASAC, could reroute Barro Alto ferronickel to affiliated Chinese stainless steel producers, cutting volumes available to EU buyers. For smelters and alloy producers in Europe, the case signals closer scrutiny of supply concentration and long-term offtake structures in critical nickel feedstocks.

Arup has become a Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) adopter, committing to publish nature-related risks and dependencies across its global project portfolio by the end of 2027. The consultancy plans to embed TNFD-aligned screening into project design and delivery, covering impacts on ecosystems such as wetlands, river catchments and urban green corridors. For geotechnical and civil teams, this signals earlier constraints mapping around biodiversity, soil and groundwater, and more explicit reporting of nature-related liabilities alongside traditional geotechnical and flood risk assessments.

Western Australia is moving to convert decades of mining and petroleum investment into wider industrial capability, with WA MLA David Scaife telling the WA Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 that the state’s mineral and petroleum sectors now generate a substantial share of gross state product and export revenue. The strategy centres on using established iron ore, LNG and critical minerals supply chains to attract downstream processing, manufacturing and technology services. For miners and engineers, this signals stronger policy backing for value-adding plants, local content requirements and skills development tied to existing operations.