Mining Engineering’s Weekly Rundown: Episode 10
Welcome to Mining Engineering’s Weekly Rundown, where we break down the latest news shaping the mining industry. As usual, we’re diving into a few major headlines that are striking the sector.
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First off, the Trump administration is making a bold move to open millions of acres of undeveloped forest land to mining and logging. The USDA announced it will rescind the Clinton-era Roadless Rule, which has barred such activity across roughly 59 million acres. Officials say this will reduce wildfire risk and enable “common-sense” forest management, but environmental groups disagree. New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called climate change the biggest driver of catastrophic fires, while activists warn this shift threatens critical wilderness areas long protected from industrial activity.
Next, in Canada, Teck Resources is exploring ways to expand its germanium production, a vital mineral for semiconductors, solar technology and defense. Amid rising tensions with China, which controls roughly 60 percent of global germanium supply, Teck is in talks with Canadian and U.S. authorities about funding. Currently North America’s top germanium producer, Teck refines the metal from its Red Dog operations in Alaska. As global supply chains shift and tensions mount, the company aims to solidify its role as a trusted supplier for North American markets.
Finally, Greenland has granted a 30 year mining permit to the EU-backed Malmbjerg project, a move that could make the Arctic nation a critical molybdenum supplier. This silvery metal is vital for aerospace, energy, and defense, and comes as China tightens its own export controls. The mine aims to produce roughly 32.8 million pounds of molybdenum per year, covering about a quarter of Europe’s needs. Greenland is gaining global attention for its mineral wealth, and recent moves, including U.S. loan consideration for a rare earth mine, highlight its growing role in critical mineral supply chains.
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