Mining Engineering’s Weekly Rundown: Episode 71
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.
This week’s Weekly Rundown is brought to you by Phoenix Process Equipment. Specialists in Dewatering, Washing & Classification.
First, The U.S. Export-Import Bank is planning to support up to $7 billion in critical minerals and energy projects in Argentina, as Washington looks to strengthen economic ties and secure access to key resources in the Western Hemisphere. The financing could help companies operating in Argentina purchase equipment from U.S. manufacturers and support projects over the next two years. Argentina is rich in lithium, shale oil, copper and other commodities, making it an increasingly important player in global mineral supply chains. Argentina, Chile and Bolivia make up the so-called lithium triangle, home to some of the world’s largest lithium resources. Major companies including Rio Tinto, BHP and Chevron already have projects in Argentina. Argentina’s mining minister has projected that lithium and copper exports could increase fivefold by 2036, compared with 2025 levels.
Next, U.S. metals refining startup Nth Cycle has signed a 10-year, $1 billion offtake agreement with Glencore to supply lithium and other critical minerals recovered from recycled batteries. The deal is one of the largest in the U.S. battery-recycling sector and comes as manufacturers and governments look to build more domestic sources of minerals needed for electric vehicles and other technologies.
Under the agreement, Glencore will provide Nth Cycle with about 24,000 metric tons of shredded battery material, known as black mass, each year. Nth Cycle will use its electrochemical technology to recover lithium and nickel, supplying Glencore with lithium carbonate and a nickel-rich mixed hydroxide product. Nth Cycle received a $100 million Department of Energy grant in August and plans to build a larger commercial facility somewhere in the U.S. Southeast. The site is expected to be announced later this year, with operations targeted for 2029.
The company is also working with Trafigura under a similar agreement, positioning Nth Cycle to become a significant domestic supplier of recycled critical minerals.
Finally, The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), has awarded the 2026 National Abandoned Mine Land, or AML, Reclamation Award to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program for its reclamation work in Summit County. The award was presented to Utah by OSMRE Deputy Director Tom Shope during the National Association of AML Programs conference in Park City, Utah, on Sept. 21st.
“These projects demonstrate innovation, strong community partnerships and the lasting benefits of addressing legacy mining hazards while helping build a better future for communities,” said Shope.
Other award-winning reclamation projects include the small project award to Railroad Commission of Texas – Surface Mining & Reclamation Division; Wise Richey Emergency AML Project; Bridgeport, TX.
Regional awards include: Appalachian States Award to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection – Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Forest City East – Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Access Project; Susquehanna and Wayne Counties.
Interior States Award to Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Mines and Minerals Bureau, BOS AML Reclamation Project); Wapello County, Iowa.And the Western States and Tribes Award to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality – Superfund, AML and Construction Bureau; Belt Water Treatment Plant; Belt, Montana.
For full details on these stories and more, visit our online magazine at me.smenet.org
