Global Scans · Mining · Weekly Summary

• [New] Turkmenistan has made a landmark decision to permit cryptocurrency trading and mining, introducing a comprehensive regulatory system that will come into force in 2026. Bitget
• [New] Turkmenistan legalizes crypto trading / mining by 2026 under strict state-controlled regulations, marking a historic shift for its closed economy. Bitget
• [New] Turkmenistan will legalise crypto trading and mining under strict state control in 2025, enforcing licensing, KYC, AML, and supervision. Live Bitcoin News
• [New] Q3 2025 in the mining sector saw a 46% increase in M&A activity, driven by disruptive themes and significant mega-deals. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Caterpillar announced plans to triple its autonomous truck fleet from 690 vehicles to over 2,000 by 2030, driven by projected 50% growth in mining capital expenditures and accelerating adoption in smaller mines and quarries. The AV Market Strategist
• [New] The mining industry continues to face mounting challenges, including regulatory bans or restrictions, rising energy costs, and geopolitical tensions between the United States and China that could disrupt critical equipment supply chains. MEXC
• [New] The mining industry continues to face growing challenges, including regulatory bans or restrictions, increasing energy costs, and geopolitical tensions between the United States and China that threaten to disrupt critical equipment supply chains. Cryptopolitan
• [New] Scientists from Duke University have developed a model that can predict the amount of mercury being released into a local ecosystem by deforestation and small-scale gold mining. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• [New] Deep-sea mining regulatory frameworks under development by the International Seabed Authority could unlock polymetallic nodule deposits containing 21 billion tonnes of manganese, 5.7 billion tonnes of iron, and substantial quantities of nickel and cobalt. Discovery Alert
• [New] The US is investigating Bitmain Technologies, a Chinese manufacturer that dominates global Bitcoin mining hardware supply, over potential national security risks including espionage or sabotage threats from its specialized mining equipment. Crypto Briefing
• [New] Sanctions or restrictions on foreign-made mining equipment could have significant economic implications for US-based miners, who currently depend on Chinese hardware. OKX
• [New] Transitioning away from lithium-based batteries, which have long been associated with fire hazards and increased mining demands, costs billions of dollars and requires a large-scale overhaul of global production systems. Forbes
• [New] Long-term supply agreements negotiated during the current price environment will influence production capacity planning decisions at mining operations throughout Southeast Asia and Oceania. Discovery Alert
• [New] Infrastructure upgrades would help meet the expanding needs of northern communities and mining firms as well as the threat of foreign actors amid rising global tensions. BNN Bloomberg
• [New] Mining companies' spending on AI will grow from $2.7 billion in 2024 to $13.1 billion by 2029. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Electricity demand: EIA expects U.S. electricity demand to grow by 2.4% in 2025 and 2.6% in 2026, led by growth in the West South Central region as electricity demand from data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities increases in that region - particularly in Texas. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] With international cooperation under NASA's Artemis program, the Moon's south pole is emerging as a potential site for mining rare elements like helium-3 - a fuel source that could redefine both the energy sector and interplanetary commerce. / Japan TrendVeritas
• [New] Australia's pricing dominance is now under threat from a massive new mine in Guinea, West Africa, often referred to in mining circles as the Pilbara Killer which will begin shipments within days. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] In 2026, the mining sector in South America remains a critical force within the international supply chain, particularly regarding lithium, gold, and diamonds. Farmonaut
• Mining asteroids could provide essential resources and reduce dependency on Earth leading to sustainable space colonization. Scholarly Commons
• The recent rally to record highs for silver could significantly boost the revenues of primary silver miners like Pan American Silver Corp. or Hecla Mining Company, especially if they hedged their production effectively or can quickly bring new, high-grade ore bodies into production. Guymon Daily Herald (guymondailyherald.com)

Last updated: 05 December 2025