This article explains the 2026 revision of Vietnam's Mineral Law, including adjustments to mineral classification, optimization of mining permit rules, and enhancements to mineral control. These changes may have a significant impact on mining enterprises, particularly those involved in metallic mining activities in Vietnam, possibly affecting areas such as business operations, policy and tax compliance, upstream mining, and open new opportunities in mineral recycling business.

The PSJ Cobre Mendocino copper project has applied for Argentina’s Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI), with planned investment of around $630 million. If approved, it would become the first major metal mining project in Mendoza province. The development could strengthen Argentina’s position in global copper supply.

On Feb 24, 2026, China placed 20 Japanese firms, including Subaru, on an export control watchlist for unverifiable end-use of dual-use items. This signals tighter controls on critical minerals and tech amid geopolitical and supply chain shifts. The analysis examines the firms' supply chain roles and the long-term industrial implications.

[SMM Survey: North American Magnesium Industry Accelerates Layout, Chinese Export Prices Rise, Global Magnesium Market Awaits Post-Holiday Volume Release] Recently, the global magnesium industry has shown a pattern of accelerated regional layout alongside trade competition. In North America, Western Magnesium relocated to a new plant in Las Vegas, accelerating the construction of its clean magnesium demonstration production line; it plans to commission its continuous vacuum reduction process within six months, aiming to verify scalability feasibility and promote low-carbon magnesium production. Innomin Minerals is advancing a large magnesium ore project in British Columbia, Canada, with drilling confirming near-surface wide mineralization, magnesium grade consistently above 20%, leaching recovery rate close to 99%, and associated nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals further highlighting the resource value. On the export market, post-Chinese New Year, China's magnesium ingot FOB offers broke through $2,400-2,450/mt, showing a significant increase compared to pre-holiday levels. Orders accumulated during the holiday are mainly for March shipment, with concentrated post-holiday shipments by traders boosting short-term activity; however, overseas buyers, affected by high ocean freight rates and high prices, are placing orders cautiously, with a strong wait-and-see sentiment. Industry insiders expect a potential peak in new overseas orders from late February to early March, with subsequent trends needing to monitor the pace of European inventory digestion and changes in ocean freight rates.

[Mining and Metallurgical Enterprise Dynamics] Yesterday, China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. and China Gold Group Co., Ltd. signed a comprehensive framework agreement to deepen strategic cooperation. In the fields of geological exploration and mineral resource development, the two parties will collaborate on prospecting, exploration, resource investment, and development, focusing on key metallogenic belts both domestic and overseas, as well as regions along the Belt and Road, jointly expanding the overseas mineral resource market.

On June 16 (Monday), Ecuador's Ministry of Mines announced on Monday that the country had initiated the registration of new mining concessions for the first time in seven years, aiming to attract more mining projects and curb illegal mining operations. Due to concerns about irregularities in the concession system, the country closed the registration of mining concessions in 2018 and has not awarded any new concession contracts since then. "Mining needs regulation to ensure investment and promote environmentally and community-responsible development," said Ines Manzano, the country's Minister of Mines, at a press conference. The ministry will open registration in several phases, starting with small-scale non-metallic mining. The next phase, targeting small-scale metal mining, will begin in September. The country will open registration for other types of mining in early 2026. "We have revised the regulations and will issue guidelines to promote the proper development of the mining value chain." Ecuador mainly produces copper, gold, and silver, and the country's mining export value exceeded $3 billion last year. Despite having abundant resources, the country has lagged behind regional countries such as Peru and Chile in developing large-scale mining due to opposition from indigenous communities and unfavorable court rulings. The government has also proposed new mining royalties, which have sparked strong opposition from the country's mining chamber. Carolina Jaramillo, a government spokesperson, said on Monday that the new mining royalties would correspond to the size and type of mining projects and that "open dialogue" was ongoing with industry representatives.