Global Scans · Mining · Weekly Summary

• [New] The International Energy Agency warns of a potential 30% copper supply deficit by 2035, driven by surging demand from electrification, AI, and clean energy transitions outpacing constrained mining output amid declining ore grades and lengthy project timelines. GeopoliticsUnplugged Substack
• [New] Unforeseen disruptions (global health events, extreme weather, geopolitical crises) have proven the need for resilient and remote mining operations. Farmonaut
• [New] As we move into 2026 and beyond, digital transformation in mining is no longer a futuristic concept, but an immediate imperative. Farmonaut
• [New] Deployment Across Strategic Sectors: Quantum tech should be deployed at scale across defence, healthcare, finance, mining, energy and national infrastructure by 2035. / India INSIGHTS IAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation
• [New] A 200-megawatt, $1 billion facility built by Canadian company Hydrostor near the historic mining city will be Australia's first large-scale compressed air energy storage facility, capable of powering up to 80,000 homes for a day. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Mining giant BHP Mitsubishi Alliance will not invest in expanding its Saraji East coal project in Central Queensland despite receiving state government environmental approvals this week. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] A third view pegs smart mining at USD18.5 B in 2025, reaching USD52.8 B by 2035. AZoCleantech
• [New] Companies involved in uranium mining and nuclear plant construction, like Cameco, could see substantial growth. International Business Times
• [New] Despite being a serious environmental threat, there is no comprehensive public understanding between the growth of AI and data center development and their link to global mining operations. Hoosier Environmental Council - all. together. now.
• [New] In Australia, Fortescue has partnered with mining equipment OEM Liebherr for the supply of 360 battery-electric autonomous trucks for its Pilbara iron ore mining operations between 2025 and 2030. Mining Technology
• [New] Whereas if Greenland were annexed, then mining in Greenland could be subject to American law, and as we see, America has a much looser approach to bribery among its leading officials. The Atlantic
• [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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 12 December 2025