[New] Africa is becoming the center of the global gold rush as soaring bullion prices strengthen its bargaining power, attract international mining investment, and push governments for greater control over mineral wealth, with gold prices expected to reach $6,300 per ounce by 2026.
Business Insider Africa
[New] In sub-Saharan Africa, the rapid expansion of mining and processing has increased the concentration of toxic metals in terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric systems, thereby exacerbating ecological degradation and health risks for workers and surrounding communities.
Nature
[New] Australia, for its part, brings critical minerals, strong potential for AI adoption in mining, financial services and healthcare, and its natural capacity to host data centers given its ample land, renewable energy and geography far from physical threats.
The Sydney Morning Herald
[New] U.S. policy announcements regarding energy and technology infrastructure could provide further clarity on the strategic direction for mining operations.
Crypto Briefing
[New] As Botswana moves to develop its untapped mineral potential, further partnerships and project-level developments are expected to follow, potentially creating opportunities for international mining companies and investors.
The Assay
[New] With increased mining in Australia, the absence of downstream processing capacity could limit the efficacy of diversification efforts.
The Diplomat
[New] Approximately 40% of current mining operational roles are highly susceptible to automation by 2030 - principally truck drivers, drill operators, and surface material handling workers.
BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
[New] By 2026, over 60% of new mining projects will integrate AI-driven automation for metals extraction and processing.
Farmonaut
[New] Chile's mining exports are expected to reach $50 billion by 2026, fueled by innovative infrastructure and automation upgrades.
Farmonaut
[New] The debate over deep-sea mining will intensify in 2026 and 2027, when the first commercial operations may begin - with or without ISA's approval, if the U.S. decides to move unilaterally.
CPG Click Oil and Gas
[New] Deep-sea mining could produce volumes of nickel and cobalt equivalent to the entire projected U.S. demand in 2040 - which explains why Washington is willing to risk conflict with ISA to move forward.
CPG Click Oil and Gas
[New] There is an expectation that both countries will sign an agreement to cooperate on deep-sea mining for rare earths, especially off Japan's Minamitorishima island.
Japan Forward
[New] The convergence of critical minerals demand, AI automation, and geopolitical pressures has created unprecedented opportunities for Australian mining companies.
LinkedIn
The mining industry in 2026 is poised for significant disruption through technological advancements, innovative methodologies, and a strong focus on sustainability.
BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
While the resources sector is broadly flat, there will be targeted growth in mining for metals and minerals critical for the energy transition, such as copper, lithium and rare earths, where annual spending will rise 1.4 times to US$ 128 billion in 2050.
PwC
Rio Tinto's Mine of the Future programme - the most advanced large-scale mining automation deployment in the world - required a decade of investment in unified data infrastructure before its autonomous haulage and drilling systems could be scaled reliably across its Pilbara iron ore operations.
BUSINESS 2.0 NEWS
Deep-level gold and platinum group metal (PGM) mining in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Australia represents a high-value opportunity vertical for underground automation.
Persistence Market Research
Cleaner launch technologies, rigorous debris mitigation, and binding environmental standards for off world mining will decide if space resources truly help relieve pressure on Earth's ecosystems or simply export extractive habits into the sky.
ECOticias.com
Around 700 near Earth objects could each contain materials worth over 100 trillion dollars, and about 122 are considered technically and economically suitable for early mining.
ECOticias.com
There is expectation that both countries will sign an agreement to cooperate on deep-sea mining for rare earths, especially off Japan's Minami-Torishima island.
Hudson Institute
Last updated: 15 May 2026
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