Nuvau Minerals announced encouraging results from its 2026 winter drilling program at the Thundermine target in Quebec’s historic Matagami mining camp. Drill hole TM-26-001 intersected 6.10 meters grading 5.28 g/t gold, including a higher-grade interval of 3.10 meters grading 7.22 g/t gold. Drill hole TM-26-004 also returned 2.50 meters grading 3.15 g/t gold. The Matagami camp has historically been known for large-scale base metals production, having produced more than 10 billion pounds of zinc and nearly 1 billion pounds of copper since the 1960s. The latest Thundermine results suggest that, beyond its traditional VMS-style copper-zinc mineralization, the district may also host significant orogenic gold potential. Nuvau said a follow-up drilling campaign is scheduled to begin in July 2026, focusing on step-out drilling along strike and down dip from the TM-26-001 intercept to test the continuity and resource growth potential of the high-grade gold zone.

Appian Capital Advisory, which holds a 90% stake in Namibia’s Rosh Pinah zinc-lead mine, announced the successful commissioning of a new SAG (semi-autogenous grinding) mill, marking the completion of the final major processing component of the RP2.0 expansion project. The new SAG mill replaces the existing ball mill and is expected to double the mine’s processing throughput from approximately 700,000 tonnes of ore per year to 1.4 million tonnes annually following ramp-up. The upgraded facility will also improve the plant’s ability to process harder ore types as mining advances deeper underground. With the SAG mill now operational, the entire RP2.0 circuit—including the new zinc flotation circuit, paste fill plant, water treatment facility, and expanded thickening and filtration systems—has been fully integrated. Appian stated that overall project construction progress has exceeded 95%, and the expansion is expected to extend mine life, improve resource utilization, and support higher zinc concentrate output in the coming years.

【Zinc Concentrate Tender】According to SMM, a zinc mine in Southwest China recently concluded its July zinc concentrate tender, with the mine pickup tender price settling at around -RMB 800 per metal tonne, down approximately RMB 700 per metal tonne from the previous month. SMM will continue to monitor subsequent changes in zinc concentrate treatment charges (TCs).

【Zinc Concentrate Production Update】According to SMM, a zinc mine in Southwest China resumed production in June, increasing zinc concentrate output by approximately 500 metal tonnes month-on-month. Production is expected to continue recovering in July and return to normal operating levels.

Hunan Province has launched the second round of its provincial ecological and environmental protection inspection "look-back" campaign. The first batch of seven inspection teams has been fully deployed since June 13, 2026, covering the cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou, Yueyang, Shaoyang, Hengyang, Huaihua, and Zhangjiajie. According to market sources, some lead-zinc mines have suspended production as a result of the inspections. SMM will continue to monitor and assess the potential impact on zinc concentrate supply.

According to SMM, a zinc mine in North China continued processing lower-grade ore throughout June, resulting in a month-on-month decline of approximately 500 metal tonnes in zinc concentrate production. Output is expected to decrease further in July.