Global Mining News (Week 7)
By Grishin Grigoriy• Release date: 09 February 2026
• Coverage period: 02 – 08 February 2026
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Category breakdown:
Rio Tinto and Glencore end merger talk
Country: United Kingdom / Switzerland / Australia
Parties: Rio Tinto; Glencore
What happened: Rio Tinto officially announced the termination of discussions with Glencore regarding a potential merger after the deadline under the UK Takeover Code expired. The proposed transaction could have created the world’s largest mining company, but the parties did not reach agreement on structure and strategic terms. [1]
Note: The collapse of talks reduces near‑term prospects for major consolidation but confirms strategic interest in copper and energy transition metals, which may drive alternative deals in 2026.
Glencore and Orion CMC signed an MoU on a potential purchase of a 40% stake in Mutanda Mining and KCC (DRC)
Country: DRC / Switzerland / USA
Parties: Glencore; Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC); (assets: Mutanda Mining, Kamoto Copper Company)
What happened: Glencore announced it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Orion CMC regarding a potential transaction under which Orion CMC would acquire a 40% stake in certain Glencore assets in the DRC (including Mutanda and KCC). Glencore indicated an implied valuation of around US$9bn for the assets and noted that next steps depend on agreeing final terms and structure. [4], [5]
Amount: ~US$9.0 billion (implied valuation); USD: ~US$9.0 billion;
Note: A partial stake sale in a major DRC copper/cobalt base looks like a monetisation and risk-sharing move while retaining operational control and cash-flow exposure. If it progresses toward binding documents, key risks will remain local partner/regulatory alignment in the DRC and potential requirements around ESG and supply-chain traceability; strategically, it reinforces the trend of “anchoring” critical metals into Western-aligned supply chains.
Anglo American sells stake in Barro Alto nickel project
Country: Brazil / United Kingdom
Parties: Anglo American; investment consortium (undisclosed)
What happened: Anglo American announced the sale of a minority stake in its Barro Alto nickel project in Brazil as part of portfolio optimization and strategic focus on copper and iron ore. Primary source not available.[2]
Note: The sale reflects a broader capital shift toward copper and critical minerals and highlights growing interest in strategic partnerships within the nickel sector.
Frontier Rare Earths: US$20m (IDC) + Carester technology/offtake agreement; DFS launch for Zandkopsdrift (South Africa)
Country: Canada / France / South Africa
Parties: Frontier Rare Earths; Carester; Industrial Development Corporation (IDC, South Africa)
What happened: Frontier announced a strategic package that includes a technology supply & offtake agreement with Carester (focused on processing/separation technology and offtake for magnet rare-earth products) and a planned US$20m IDC equity investment. The company also stated it is commencing a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Zandkopsdrift project (magnet REEs + battery-grade manganese) in South Africa. [6]
Amount: US$20 million (equity investment, IDC) → USD: US$20 million;
Note: The “offtake + technology + local development finance” bundle is a standard de-risking tool for critical minerals, especially for REEs where processing/separation is the bottleneck and long-term contracts matter. Key value inflection points are still ahead: DFS quality, permitting in South Africa, and the ability to fund full build capex; but the direction aligns with demand to diversify REE supply chains beyond China.
No significant new asset start‑ups were identified in the period.
Ericsson announced it will showcase private 5G mining solutions at Mining Indaba 2026
Country: South Africa / Sweden
Parties: Ericsson; Mining Indaba 2026 stakeholders (miners, OEMs, integrators)
What happened: Ericsson said it will present practical private 5G mining use cases at Mining Indaba 2026 (supporting digitalisation and automation, reliable on-site connectivity for OT/IT, remote operations, and safety). The announcement positions private 5G as an infrastructure layer enabling autonomy/remote control and productivity improvements. [7]
Note: While the announcement is “showcase” in nature, the trend is structural: private LTE/5G is increasingly a foundational technology for autonomous fleets, dispatching, video analytics, and RTLS across open-pit and underground operations. Practical value will depend on integration with existing systems (FMS, SCADA, AHS), cybersecurity maturity, and a clear ROI story (safety + downtime reduction + productivity gains).
Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026: DMPR published the 08 Feb session schedule; Brand South Africa hosted a welcome reception on 08 Feb
Country: South Africa
Parties: DMPR (Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources); Minister Gwede Mantashe; Brand South Africa; international investors and Mining Indaba participants
What happened: South African authorities published details of their participation in Investing in African Mining Indaba (08–12 Feb 2026) and the schedule of key events on 08 Feb, including the National Address and the African Ministers’ Critical Minerals Roundtable. Separately, Brand South Africa hosted its official welcome reception on 08 Feb ahead of the formal opening, highlighting strategic minerals, infrastructure, and industrialisation themes. [8], [9]
Note: Indaba is a major capital-allocation and policy signalling forum for African mining and critical minerals partnerships. Practically, it is during such weeks that MoUs/LOIs and framework deals often appear; over the next days the key is to track signals on licensing/permitting, incentives for downstream/beneficiation, and the emergence of fundable “showcase” projects that can anchor investor attention.
Chile approves environmental stage of Los Bronces copper expansion
Country: Chile
Parties: Anglo American; Chilean environmental regulator
What happened: Chile’s regulator approved a key environmental stage of the Los Bronces expansion project, enabling continued investment aimed at increasing copper output and extending mine life. Primary source not available.[3]
Note: Progress on the project strengthens long‑term copper supply prospects, though environmental permitting remains a key constraint for new mining investments in Chile.
Argentina and the United States signed a critical minerals agreement to strengthen supply chains
Country: Argentina / USA
Parties: Government of Argentina; Government of the United States (per Argentina’s foreign ministry statement)
What happened: Media reports citing Argentina’s foreign ministry said Argentina and the U.S. signed a critical minerals agreement aimed at strengthening and securing supply chains between the two countries. The reporting highlights expectations of a positive impact on Argentina’s economic growth and underlines the mining sector’s importance to export revenues. [10]
Note: This reinforces the competition for long-term access to Latin American critical mineral flows and can lift Argentina’s project attractiveness for U.S./allied capital. Practical impact will depend on specifics—support mechanisms (financing, guarantees, offtake), regulatory stability, and permitting speed.
Brazil’s regulator said Sigma Lithium’s waste piles pose “no imminent risk” (amid a work halt)
Country: Brazil
Parties: ANM (Agência Nacional de Mineração); Sigma Lithium
What happened: Reuters reported that following an ANM inspection, the regulator said Sigma Lithium’s waste piles showed no signs of instability or imminent geotechnical risk. The report follows a temporary halt linked to actions by another authority and may affect the legal/regulatory pathway for resuming mining operations and safety compliance conditions. [11]
Note: For lithium markets this may reduce the probability of a prolonged stoppage, but regulatory uncertainty remains: even absent “imminent risk,” additional controls, documentation, and monitoring requirements can still apply. Buyers and investors should watch for formal lifting of restrictions and the actual pace of production/logistics normalisation.
Anglo American: −10% copper in 2025 and a cut to 2026 copper guidance; ~US$200m rehabilitation charges (Chile)
Country: United Kingdom / Chile / Peru
Parties: Anglo American; assets/JVs: Collahuasi (Chile), Quellaveco (Peru), Los Bronces (Chile)
What happened: Anglo American published its Q4/2025 production report and updated guidance: 2025 copper output totalled 695 kt (within the low end of guidance) and 2026 copper guidance was cut to 700–760 kt (from 760–820 kt), in part due to expected lower output at Collahuasi. Reuters also reported the company expects around US$200m of charges in 2H2025 linked to rehabilitation provisions at its Chilean copper operations. [12], [13]
Amount: ~US$200 million → USD: ~US$200 million;
Note: For the global copper balance this is a small but telling signal: even large producers remain sensitive to grade plans, mine sequencing, and JV stability. If similar guidance pressure appears across peers, it supports tighter copper market risk over the medium term; the rehabilitation charge also underscores the rising weight of closure liabilities and ESG-related cost of ownership.
What to watch next
- 09–12 Feb 2026: Mining Indaba announcements/MoUs—especially on critical minerals value chains and South Africa permitting/investment signals.
- Next steps on the Glencore–Orion MoU: movement toward binding documents and any partner/regulatory signals in the DRC.
- 20 Feb 2026: Anglo American full-year results and potential guidance/capex updates, including the copper portfolio.
Reference:
[1] Reuters — Rio Tinto ends talks with Glencore — https://www.reuters.com/business/glencore-rio-abandon-merger-talks-2026-02-05/
[2] Reuters — Anglo American sells stake in Barro Alto nickel — https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/anglo-american-hired-advisers-sell-two-nickel-mines-brazil-says-country-head-2024-09-09/
[3] Reuters — Chile approves Los Bronces environmental stage — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/anglo-americans-los-bronces-project-granted-environmental-permit-2023-04-18/
[4] Glencore — Proposed acquisition by Orion CMC of a strategic stake in Glencore’s DRC assets - https://www.glencore.com/media-and-insights/news/proposed-acquisition-by-us-backed-orion-critical-mineral-consortium-of-a-strategic-stake-in-glencores-drc-assets
[5] Financial Times — US-backed consortium in talks on Glencore Congo assets (paywall) - https://www.ft.com/content/24c089a8-28db-44ea-882d-c8e28ef57d03 , https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/glencore-sell-40-stake-congo-mines-2026-02-03/
[6] PRNewswire — Frontier Rare Earths: Carester agreement + US$20m IDC equity + DFS start - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/signing-of-strategic-technology-supply-and-offtake-agreement-with-carester-us20-million-equity-investment-from-the-industrial-development-corporation-and-commencement-of-dfs-for-the-zandkopsdrift-magnet-rare-earths-and-battery--302679186.html
[7] Ericsson — Ericsson to showcase private 5G solutions at Mining Indaba 2026 - https://www.ericsson.com/en/core-network/guide?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=8670018196&gbraid=0AAAAADHBq_UTW8a_3ya4qV0C5k2UJj0tL&gclid=CjwKCAiAqKbMBhBmEiwAZ3UboBErxlhu076433qRTmD9XAMbi5fDrXIJgdiKjRM05RI4wRrOGtXZRBoCsKwQAvD_BwE
[8] South African Government (gov.za) — DMPR hosts Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026; 08 Feb session schedule - https://www.gov.za/news/media-advisories/conferences-summits-seminars-and-workshops/mineral-and-petroleum-resources
[9] SAnews — Morolong to address Brand SA Mining Indaba reception - https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/morolong-address-brand-sa-mining-indaba-reception
[10] Reuters — Argentina signs critical minerals deal with US https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-signs-critical-minerals-deal-with-us-foreign-ministry-says-2026-02-04/
[11] Reuters — Sigma Lithium waste piles offer no imminent risk, Brazil regulator https://www.reuters.com/business/sigma-lithiums-waste-piles-offer-no-imminent-risk-says-brazils-mining-regulator-2026-02-03/
[12] Anglo American — Q4 2025 Production Report - https://www.angloamerican.com/media/press-releases/2026/05-02-2026
[13] Reuters — Anglo American reports 10% drop in 2025 copper output, cuts 2026 guidance - https://www.reuters.com/business/anglo-american-reports-10-drop-2025-copper-output-cuts-2026-guidance-2026-02-05/