Welcome back to your weekly mining news recap, where we catch you up on some of the news you may have missed. This week’s headlines include Northern Dynasty seeking a veto reversal from the U.S. environmental protection agency (EPA) for its Pebble project, McFarlane Lake acquiring the Juby gold project, and potential federal government support for Canadian aluminum producers facing U.S. tariffs. 

U.S. President Trump plans to implement 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports, which could come into effect on Aug. 1, The Globe and Mail reported. Tariffs on the energy-transition metal would be another tough blow to the Canadian economy: Canada sent just over half of its copper exports to the U.S. in 2023, representing $4.8 billion. Industry minister Mélanie Joly said that Canada will fight the copper tariffs, warning of escalating trade tensions ahead of the tentative July 21 deadline for the two countries to finalize a trade deal that could determine whether existing tariffs stay in place or are removed. Chile, the world’s top copper producer, is awaiting details on the surprise tariff, as industry leaders express concern over supply challenges and market volatility. 

A Malian government helicopter seized over a tonne of gold from Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex on Thursday, intensifying a long-running dispute over taxes and mining laws, Reuters reported. Barrick suspended operations at Loulo-Gounkoto in mid-January and initiated arbitration at the World Bank after the Malian military-led government blocked its exports for two months, detained executives and confiscated three tonnes of gold. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Malian court-appointed administrator planned to sell one tonne of gold to fund operations as the complex restarted. The mine, which produced 15 per cent of Barrick’s gold, faces significant hurdles resuming output without the company’s cooperation. After a military junta seized power in Mali in 2021, it has moved to force foreign mining companies to contribute more revenue to the country. 

First Phosphate has produced commercial-grade lithium iron phosphate battery cells using critical minerals sourced within North America, Canadian Mining Journal reported. Materials such as phosphoric acid, iron powder and graphite were sourced from Quebec, and lithium carbonate from Nevada. The battery cells were assembled for First Phosphate by private battery firm Ultion Technologies. 

FPX Nickel has received a multi-year area-based permit from the British Columbia government to begin drilling at its Baptiste nickel project this year. The eight-week program will drill about 2,800 metres to collect data for the feasibility study and environmental assessment in the second half of this year. Over 75 per cent of fieldwork spending will go to First Nations-owned or affiliated businesses, FPX said. 

Northern Dynasty Minerals is in settlement talks with the U.S. EPA over the veto that halted its proposed Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum project in Alaska, Mining.com reported. The EPA blocked the project in 2023, arguing that the company’s plan to store mine waste in Bristol Bay—home to some of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fisheries—could permanently destroy more than 2,000 acres of protected wetlands. The agency is now open to reconsideration, requesting more information. Northern Dynasty, which filed legal challenges earlier this year, believes withdrawing the veto could revive the project and support U.S. metal supply. 

McFarlane Lake Mining is buying the Juby gold project in Ontario from Aris Mining for US$22 million, adding over 2.2 million ounces of gold to its resource base, Mining.com reported. The deal also includes Aris’ 25 per cent stake in the nearby Knight property. McFarlane CEO Mark Trevisiol said the acquisition will shift the company from explorer to developer. Aris will receive US$10 million cash and US$12 million in shares, pending McFarlane securing at least US$10 million in financing. 

Canada may offer financial support to aluminum producers such as Rio Tinto if the U.S. keeps its 50 per cent tariff on aluminum imports in place, Aluminum Association of Canada CEO Jean Simard told Reuters. Talks are underway in the event that no trade deal is reached by July 21. Though producers operating in Canada are not yet facing liquidity issues, long-term tariffs could strain finances.  

Impala Platinum will cease production at its Lac des Iles palladium mine near Thunder Bay, Ontario, on May 31, 2026, citing prolonged low palladium prices, Northern Ontario Business reported. The closure, affecting 750 workers, could happen sooner depending on production and tailings capacity. Although palladium prices have recently rebounded, the company said it views the operation as economically unsustainable and is preparing for closure. 

Venerable Ventures released an updated mineral resource estimate for the Minto copper-gold project in Yukon, Canadian Mining Journal reported. Incorporating new drilling, revised geological interpretation and updated costs, the project’s indicated resources total 12.6 million tonnes containing 334 million pounds of copper grading 1.2 per cent, 187,000 ounces of gold grading 0.46 grams per tonne and 1.7 million ounces of silver grading 4.3 grams per tonne. Last week, Venerable Ventures and Selkirk First Nation agreed to form Selkirk Copper Mines, which will acquire the idled Minto mine in a $15-million transaction, making Selkirk the largest shareholder. 

ICMM released a handbook in May to guide mining companies, communities and stakeholders in planning mine closure and post-mining socio-economic transitions through multi-stakeholder collaboration, Kelsey Rolfe reported for the June/July issue of CIM Magazine. The handbook, which features nine multi-stakeholder models for socio-economic transition, highlights the importance of early, inclusive planning to ensure lasting benefits and a smooth transition for local communities once mining operations cease. 

For the May issue of CIM Magazine, Xiaolei Wang, a Canada research chair and associate professor at the University of Alberta, discussed his team’s development of an anode for rechargeable seawater-based aqueous batteries. Aimed at large-scale grid energy storage, these batteries have the potential to be safer, more affordable and more environmentally friendly than lithium-ion options. However, key challenges remain, such as limited energy density and the need to scale up polymer-carbon anodes. 

That’s all for this week. If you’ve got feedback, you can always reach us at editor@cim.org. If you’ve got something to add, why not join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram pages?