US biomining startup Endolith has secured $13.5 million in seed funding to advance its AI-guided microbial extraction technology for copper and other critical minerals. Led by Squadra Ventures, the funding aims to support pilot-engineering and process validation of Endolith's environmentally friendly approach, which targets low-grade and complex ores. This investment highlights the growing interest in biomining as a strategic component of national security infrastructure, amid geopolitical supply chain disruptions and rising demand from the clean energy sector.

Illegal mining activities have reportedly occurred at East Africa Metals' Mato Bula and Da Tambuk sites in Ethiopia's Tigray region, driven by a more than 50% rise in gold prices this year. Despite the company's claims of non-operational status, former soldiers and Chinese miners allegedly extracted gold from early 2024 to mid-2025, backed by undisclosed investors. The region's interim president has deployed a task force to halt mining, but enforcement is threatened by escalating conflict, raising concerns of a Sudan-style resource conflict with minimal local benefits.

The Xinka Indigenous group has again rejected the restart of Pan American Silver's Escobal mine in Guatemala, citing risks to water, culture, and territory. A petition with over 6,000 signatures was delivered to Pan American Silver, urging respect for the Xinka's decision against the mine's reopening. The Escobal mine, which holds 24.7 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves at 334 grams silver per tonne, remains closed since 2017, with ongoing consultations under Guatemala's Ministry of Energy and Mines and ILO Convention 169.