Mining Engineering’s Weekly Rundown: Episode 48
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, KoBold Metals has launched what it calls the largest lithium exploration campaign in history, targeting more than 3,000 square kilometers across 13 licenses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company is deploying a fully integrated, technology driven approach that combines airborne hyperspectral imaging, LiDAR mapping and real-time AI modeling to identify high value targets faster than traditional methods. It will focus a large portion of its efforts on the Manono region, known for tin but recently recognized for its high grade lithium potential. KoBold is also running an aggressive drilling and sampling program while operating a mobile onsite laboratory that cuts analysis time from weeks to days. The company has already committed more than $50 million to the effort and plans to expand its footprint further this year.
Next, Rio Tinto’s US boron business has drawn interest from more than a dozen potential bidders and could be valued as much as $2 billion. Interested parties include WE Soda, Magris Resources and US Silica Holdings. Boron plays a key role in nuclear energy, wind power and agriculture sectors. The US government added it to its critical minerals list last year due to supply concerns. Rio Tinto’s potential divestment aligns with its broader plan to streamline operations and generate up to $10 billion through asset sales and efficiency gains, with binding offers expected by June.
Finally, Venezuela is attempting to reopen its mining sector to international investors, but operators warn that security risks could derail those ambitions. The government has introduced a new mining law that allows foreign participation and has received backing from the Trump administration, which has issued limited licenses tied to gold transactions. However, miners and local sources describe a fragmented operating environment in Bolivar state, where armed groups, criminal networks and informal miners exert control over large areas. The potential instability could create risks for investors despite government promises of legal security and economic opportunity.
For full details on these stories and more, visit our online magazine at me.smenet.org
