US Department of War funding of $9.25 million into Strategic Minerals’ Cornwall Resources unit will push the Redmoor tungsten-copper-tin project in Cornwall through definitive feasibility within a targeted 32 months, supporting extensive infill and expansion drilling, geotechnical and metallurgical drilling, and updated Mineral Resource Estimates and reserve conversion. The non-dilutive funding, with no restrictions on future offtakes, is aimed at fast-tracking underground mine development at what is described as Europe’s highest-grade undeveloped tungsten resource. Strategic Minerals’ shares rose 14% in London, giving the company a £168.6 million market capitalisation.

Washington’s escalating trade disputes with Ottawa risk undermining its strategy to cut dependence on Chinese minerals, with CFR senior fellow and former US sanctions official Edward Fishman warning that the United States “cannot do it without the Canadians”. China currently controls about 91% of global refined rare earth magnet output and has already used export controls to disrupt automotive production, while US-aligned supply is emerging through projects such as Centerra Gold’s US$425–450 million restart of the Thompson Creek molybdenum mine feeding the Langeloth plant. Hecla Mining is doubling down on lower-risk jurisdictions with silver production from Greens Creek (Alaska), Lucky Friday (Idaho) and Keno Hill (Yukon), betting that jurisdictional stability will support premium valuations as supply chains fragment.

B2Gold has defined a new high-grade Tattuk zone at the Goose mine in Nunavut, with drillhole 26GSE750Z2 cutting 9.95 m at 10.94 g/t gold from ~1,196 m depth, 150 m down-plunge of existing Nuvuyak mineralisation, alongside infill hits of 21.23 m at 19.12 g/t at Llama and 6.9 m at 11.88 g/t at Nuvuyak. Following an April crusher fire, a new mobile plant commissioned in August is averaging >3,000 t/d, while a repaired fixed circuit with new ROM bin, apron feeder, larger jaw crusher and rock breaker is targeted to sustain 3,200 t/d from October. B2Gold is holding 2026 Goose guidance at 170,000–200,000 oz, budgeting $51 million for Back River exploration and planning stage-two upgrades to reach the 4,000 t/d design rate and extend the current ~nine-year reserve-based mine life.