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 a recent poll showing strong support for mining in Nova Scotia, Falco Resources advancing the environmental review for its Horne 5 project in Quebec, and Mali delaying the hearing regarding Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex. 

The U.S. Interior Department has chosen to fast-track environmental permits for Anfield Energy’s proposed Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium project in Utah, aiming to complete its environmental review in only 14 days under U.S. President Donald Trump’s “energy emergency” declaration. Velvet-Wood would be the first uranium project prioritized under the United States’s recently adopted emergency permitting procedures aimed at accelerating the approval of domestic energy projects. 

The Quebec government is providing $6.2 million in repayable aid to upgrade infrastructure at the Matagami transshipment yard, part of a $9.2 million project supported by Rio Tinto and Nemaska Lithium, as reported by Canadian Mining Journal. The funds will allow for major civil engineering work and the purchase and installation of new rail equipment needed to serve mining companies in the Nord-du-Québec region. The upgrades are scheduled to take place from May to October. 

Pan American Silver plans to acquire MAG Silver for around US$2.1 billion. The deal will grant Pan American access to the high-grade Juanicipio silver mine in Mexico. The transaction is unanimously supported by both boards and is expected to close in the second half of this year. 

The Mining Association of Nova Scotia has released a new poll indicating strong public support for the province’s mining and quarrying sector, as reported by CTV News. 75 per cent of respondents believe the industry can boost Canadian economic independence. The poll also found that Nova Scotians agree with the need for streamlined permitting while maintaining environmental standards. The association noted that support for the sector was considerably higher across all poll questions compared to the results of a spring 2024 poll. In February, Nova Scotia introduced legislation to lift its ban on uranium exploration and mining. 

Falco Resources has submitted all required documentation to Quebec’s environmental ministry regarding its proposed Horne 5 gold-silver-copper-zinc underground project in Rouyn-Noranda. The ministry is finalizing its analysis as a technical committee—including a seismologist—assesses potential impacts on a local oncology centre. This follows a decision in January by Quebec’s public consultation agency, which deemed the project unacceptable due to a lack of sufficient information on its risks and impacts. The company expects progress soon and highlighted strong public support for the project in Rouyn-Noranda and Abitibi-Témiscamingue, based on a recent independent survey.  

A Malian court hearing to determine whether the government can take control of the operations at Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex has been postponed a week and is now scheduled for May 22, marking the latest development in the ongoing dispute, as reported by Reuters. Barrick suspended operations at the mining complex in January after Mali seized approximately three tonnes of gold stocks from the company, citing unpaid taxes. 

The Nisga’a Nation in B.C. founded Nations Royalty, Canada’s first majority Indigenous-owned royalty company, last year to turn mining royalties from impact benefit agreements into revenue and financial independence for Indigenous groups, as reported by Alice Martin for the March/April issue of CIM Magazine. Nations Royalty was designed to empower Indigenous communities by building wealth, supporting projects and increasing Indigenous representation in public markets, with the company aiming to raise $8 billion for the Nisga’a Nation over 25 to 30 years. 

Several companies shared first quarter results this week, including: 

Hudbay Minerals reported copper production of 30,958 tonnes for the first quarter of 2025, in line with guidance, and gold production of 73,784 ounces, exceeding expectations due to strong performance at its Lalor mine in Manitoba. The company achieved record adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of US$287.2 million.  

Orla Mining reported record first quarter gold production of 47,759 ounces, with all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of US$845 per ounce at its Camino Rojo mine. Orla remains on track to meet its updated 2025 production guidance of 280,000 to 300,000 ounces of gold. 

Wesdome Gold Mines exceeded guidance expectations for the quarter with consolidated gold production of 45,692 ounces, at an AISC of US$1,366 per ounce. EBITDA reached $119.4 million, driven by strong performance at both its Eagle River mine near Wawa, Ontario, and its Kiena mine in Val d’Or, Quebec. 

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?