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 the mining sector driving growth in the Canadian economy, impacts of the mud rush and shutdown of the Grasberg mine, and Hudbay suspending its Peruvian operations amid protests.  

Space resources company Interlune has signed a US$300 million deal to supply up to 10,000 litres of lunar helium-3 annually to Finland’s Bluefors from 2028 to 2037. Helium-3, rare on Earth but relatively abundant on the moon, is vital for Bluefors’s cryogenic systems powering quantum technology, physics research and medical applications. Interlune is planning a 2027 lunar demonstration mission, followed by a 2029 pilot plant on the moon to harvest helium-3 and other lunar resources. 

The latest Safety Share webinar from CIM Magazine and the CIM Health & Safety Society examined mental health and substance use in mining, highlighting stigma and workplace culture among key contributors. Panellists highlighted peer support, non-alcoholic beverage options at work events, and employee assistance services as ways to encourage healthier workplaces. They also emphasized integrated treatments, including counselling, therapy, medication and community resources, in fostering more supportive environments. 

Canadian miner Aris Mining reported that all 23 workers trapped underground at its La Reliquia gold mine in Segovia, Colombia, have been safely rescued following a collapse at the mine’s main shaft on Monday, Mining Weekly reported. Colombia's National Mining Agency reported that the mine’s main entrance collapsed as a result of a “geomechanical failure.” 

Canada’s gross domestic product rose 0.2 per cent in July, the first increase in four months, with growth led by mining, oil, and gas, The Globe and Mail reported. Since February, production in iron and steel mills and ferro-alloy manufacturing dropped about 25 per cent, ahead of the U.S. steel import tariff introduced in March. Economists expect 0.8 per cent annualized growth in the third quarter of this year, stronger than initially expected but lower than the Bank of Canada’s forecast from July. 

Freeport-McMoRan has invoked a force majeure at its Grasberg copper-gold mine in Indonesia, following an 800,000-tonne mud rush on Sept. 8 that killed two workers and left five missing, Mining Technology reported. Operations were suspended, with a phased restart of unaffected areas planned later this year. Pre-incident production levels are not expected to resume until 2027. 

Hudbay Minerals has temporarily halted its Constancia copper mine in Peru due to local protests and what the company describes as “illegal blockades,” The Northern Miner reported. The suspension comes amid ongoing social unrest in the country, with riots and protests nationwide. The shutdown, implemented as a safety precaution, will allow Hudbay to perform preventive maintenance. The company expects no impact on its 2025 guidance. 

The Trump administration is seeking to take up to a 10 per cent equity stake in Lithium Americas as part of negotiations to revise a US$2.26 billion Energy Department loan for the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, which is being developed through a joint venture between Lithium Americas and General Motors, Reuters reported. The first phase of Thacker Pass, aiming to begin commercial production in 2028, is expected to produce 40,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually. 

Torex Gold’s Media Luna mine in Mexico achieved first copper concentrate in March 2025 and commercial production later in May, transforming the company from a leading gold producer in Mexico into a major copper player, Mehanaz Yakub reported for the August issue of CIM Magazine. The mine is expected to produce 45 to 50 million pounds of copper annually, with reserves lasting to 2033. 

At MMG’s Rosebery mine, the success of reducing operator fatigue hinged on effective change management rather than a technology itself, Rosalind Stefanac reported for the August issue of CIM Magazine. While the introduction of the Hexagon Operator Alertness System tracked alertness levels of employees at Rosebery, the program’s real impact came from engaging operators early, explaining the system’s purpose, and providing ongoing support throughout the rollout. Structured change management— through pilots, training and employee involvement—can also help to develop a more agile workforce. 

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?