Fortuna Mining has secured Senegalese government approval of the environmental and social impact assessment for its Diamba Sud gold project in eastern Senegal, clearing a key hurdle ahead of a mining permit decision following its 4 Feb 2026 application. A 2025 preliminary economic assessment reported an after-tax IRR of 72% and a US$563 million NPV (5% discount rate) at US$2,750/oz gold, with a 2026 project budget of US$100 million and final investment and construction decision targeted by mid‑2026. For engineers, the ESIA decree signals regulatory alignment for detailed design, site preparation and construction planning.

Rare Earths Americas has reported rock chip assays up to 44.5% total rare earths oxide (TREO) from monazite-bearing sands at its Shiloh project in Georgia, with 13 surface samples collected across the Newbill and Pipeline properties. The 2026 work programme includes more than 20,000 m of sonic, direct push and diamond drilling to define continuity, scale and grade distribution, alongside drone-based radiometric surveys at the nearby Lazer Creek area, where hole 25-DPLC-015 returned 10.84% TREO from 6.1–6.77 m and 3.52% TREO from 7.35–8.63 m. For mine planners and process engineers, the coarse monazite sand style suggests potential for relatively simple mineral sands-style extraction flowsheets if continuity and tonnage are confirmed.

Central banks added a net 17 tonnes of gold in April and have accumulated about 1,000 tonnes over the past four years, yet the share stored with the Swiss National Bank has halved to 6% from 12% as institutions diversify away from Switzerland’s traditional neutrality. Nearly 90% of reserve managers expect to increase gold holdings, while 74% expect to cut US dollar reserves within five years, with advanced and emerging economies now aligned on this view. About half plan to fund new gold via local-currency domestic programmes rather than selling dollars, creating a structurally different demand channel for gold miners.