Last week, President Trump postponed a summit with his Chinese counterpart on account of the war with Iran. When Trump and Xiinping do meet, here's an agenda item bound to figure prominently. Rare Earth elements.Right now, China holds a near monopoly over these strategic metals that are key components in so much that makes the modern world go. Smartphones, robotics, EVs, also fighter jets, drones, and radar technology. That is, China controls materials essential to America's ability to wage war.Tonight, the ...

60 Minutes overtime. If we want to achieve supply chain security, maybe we don't actually have to be opening dozens of new rare earth mines. Maybe we could actually achieve rare earth and other critical mineral supply chain security just by cleaning up the waste that we already have.This week on 60 Minutes, we report on rare earths, a group of 17 metallic elements on the periodic table that are essential for so many modern technologies. From smartphones and laptops to wind turbines and fighter jets, they ma ...

TORONTO, March 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GLOBEX MINING ENTERPRISES INC. (GMX – Toronto Stock Exchange, G1MN – Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich, Tradegate, Lang & Schwarz, LS Exchange, TTMzero, Düsseldorf and Quotrix Düsseldorf Stock Exchanges and GLBXF – OTCQX International in the US) is pleased to provide shareholders with an update on recent work undertaken by Lodestar Minerals Limited (LSR-ASX) on the Virgin Mountain Rare Earth Property located in Arizona, under option from Globex, as reported by ...

Japan is embarking on an ambitious push to extract rare earth elements from the ocean floor, betting that deep sea resources could strengthen its economic security. The effort is expected to accelerate under Prime Minister Sai Takayichi, who describes deep sea mining as the first step towards domestically industrializing rare earths. In 2011, Japan discovered resources near Minami Toishima, an atal 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo that is part of the country's exclusive economic zone.Following her landslide elec ...

Core Viewpoint - Defense Metals Corp. is advancing the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project, highlighting strong economic fundamentals supported by rising NdPr prices and strategic government engagement [1][2] Economic Highlights - Current international NdPr price is US$128.75/kg, significantly higher than the projected price of US$132.70/kg in the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) [1] - PFS indicates a total operating cost of CAD $38.42/kg NdPrO, with an after-tax payback period of 3.7 years and a post-tax NPV (8%) of approximately CAD $1.0 billion [1] - The pre-tax IRR is estimated at ~24.6%, while the post-tax IRR is ~18.9% [1] Market Engagement - The Wicheeda Project has been selected by the British Columbia government as one of four strategic projects to receive support from the B.C. Critical Minerals Office [1] - Defense Metals participated in a European road show organized by Natural Resources Canada, emphasizing the growing European interest in securing reliable sources of rare earth materials [1] Project Development Activities - The company has initiated new field work and drilling programs with Apex Geoscience and SRK Consulting to support resource delineation and geotechnical studies [1] - Pilot metallurgical studies are being conducted with SGS Canada Inc and the Saskatchewan Research Council to finalize design criteria for the PFS flowsheet [1] - Environmental baseline programs are underway to meet requirements for an Environmental Assessment application, with a focus on Indigenous engagement and responsible practices [1]

Core Insights - Polen Capital's fourth-quarter investor letter for the Polen 5Perspectives Small Growth Strategy reported a return of -1.3% gross and -1.5% net of fees, underperforming the Russell 2000 Growth Index which returned 1.2% [1] - The small-cap asset class gained attention due to declining interest rates and improving earnings growth, with a notable focus on biotech stocks during the quarter [1] - The strategy's name was changed to emphasize the importance of the 5 viewpoints framework in investing [1] Company Highlights - Ramaco Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:METC) is highlighted as a key stock, with a market capitalization of $1.138 billion and a one-month return of -22.14%, while gaining 88.93% over the past 52 weeks [2] - Ramaco Resources is a critical minerals producer supplying metallurgical coal for the steelmaking industry and is developing a rare earth elements deposit at its Brook Mine in Wyoming [3] - The stock's decline was attributed to scrutiny over the AI narrative, weaker-than-expected earnings results, and dilution concerns following a $300 million convertible debt offering [3]

Core Insights - The bioleaching market is experiencing significant growth, with a projected increase from $10.14 billion in 2024 to $21.37 billion by 2033, driven by rising demand for copper and critical minerals [7] - Major companies, including Rio Tinto and BiotaTec, are investing in bioleaching technologies to enhance copper extraction from low-grade ores and industrial waste [4][19] - Despite the potential, the adoption of bioleaching is slow due to high initial capital costs and a focus on low-grade ores, which limits its commercial viability [6][12] Bioleaching Techniques - Heterotrophic bioleaching utilizes microorganisms that metabolize sugars to extract copper from non-sulphidic materials like oxide ores [1] - Chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms oxidize iron and sulphur to produce soluble copper ions from copper ores [2][3] - Two primary methods of bioleaching are heap leaching, which is cost-effective but slower, and vat leaching, which offers higher recovery rates but at a higher cost [9][10] Market Dynamics - The copper bioleaching market holds over 47.8% of the total bioleaching market revenue share, indicating its dominance [4] - Countries like Chile are leading in bioleaching commercialization, using it to extend the operational life of mines by making lower-grade ores profitable [14] - In contrast, European markets show sluggishness in adopting bioleaching technologies, despite interest from mining operators [15] Commercialization Challenges - Many bioleaching companies face difficulties in reaching commercial feasibility, with some projects getting stuck at the corporate level due to lack of financing [16][17] - The economic viability of bioleaching is closely tied to the concentration of metals in the ores being processed [13] - BacTech and other companies are exploring downstream opportunities and diversifying their operations to include other metals and waste materials [17][20] Versatility and Future Prospects - The versatility of bioleaching is crucial for its success, with applications expanding beyond copper to include rare earth elements and industrial waste [20][22] - Bioleaching can also provide solutions for tailings management, contributing to decarbonization and additional revenue streams [24][27] - Companies like ekolive are focusing on agricultural applications of bioleaching, finding commercial success in producing biofertilizers [28]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net loss of $79 million, or $1.54 per dilutive share, and adjusted EBITDA of $103 million, which includes $25 million of fire and idle costs from Leer South and $11 million from West Elk [13][14] - For the full year 2025, the net loss was $153 million, or $2.98 per dilutive share, with adjusted EBITDA of $512 million, impacted by $101 million related to Leer South fire and idle costs and $11 million from West Elk idle costs [15][16] - The company returned a total of $245 million to stockholders in 2025, constituting nearly 100% of free cash flow generation [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Leer South mine resumed longwall mining in mid-December 2025 after a combustion event in early 2025, achieving its production target in January 2026 [5][6] - The West Elk mine transitioned to the B seam, which has shown significantly improved mining conditions, and is expected to run at high productivity levels in 2026 [7][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. utility coal consumption increased by 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with coal-fired generation in the PJM and MISO areas rising over 19% and 15%, respectively [16][17] - Global coal demand rose by approximately 0.5% to 8.9 billion metric tons in 2025, indicating a multi-year growth pattern [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capturing synergies from the merger, operational excellence across its segments, and establishing a safety-driven culture [4][5] - The company plans to return approximately 75% of free cash flow to shareholders, with a significant portion directed to share repurchases and a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share [8][9] - The company is also advancing efforts in rare earth elements and critical materials, with ongoing projects in the PRB and Northern Appalachia [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the operational performance for 2026, expecting strong results from both Leer South and West Elk mines [27][28] - The company anticipates a reduction in idling costs and an increase in insurance recovery compared to 2025, contributing to improved financial performance [24][28] Other Important Information - The company is benefiting from supportive coal policies under the current administration, including a production tax credit for coal and delayed retirements of coal-fired generation units [10][11] - The company is optimistic about the growth in demand for coal driven by the expansion of data centers, particularly in the Americas [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the high CV committed and priced for the PAMC portion? - The company has approximately 20.5 million tons committed for high CV, with 12 million domestic and 8.5 million for export, linked to API2 pricing [33][34] Question: What is the outlook for the order book in outer years? - The company contracted over 38 million tons last quarter, with pricing in contango for forward years [38][39] Question: What does the 45X credit mean for shareholder returns? - The company expects higher insurance proceeds and a reduction in idling costs, which will positively impact cash flow and shareholder returns [40][44] Question: How are synergies showing up in the P&L? - Synergies are primarily seen in headcount reductions and improved marketing and logistics, but overall market conditions have impacted their full realization [51][52] Question: What tangible steps have been taken to improve operational delivery for 2026? - The company has all assets running and has implemented schedule changes and production strategies to enhance efficiency [90][91]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net loss of $79 million, or $1.54 per dilutive share, and adjusted EBITDA of $103 million, which includes $25 million of fire and idle costs from Leer South and $11 million from West Elk [13][14] - For the full year 2025, the net loss was $153 million, or $2.98 per dilutive share, with adjusted EBITDA of $512 million, impacted by $101 million related to Leer South fire and idle costs and $11 million from West Elk idle costs [15][16] - The company returned a total of $245 million to stockholders in 2025, constituting nearly 100% of free cash flow generation [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Leer South mine resumed longwall mining in mid-December 2025 after a combustion event in early 2025, achieving its production target in January 2026 [5][6] - The transition to the B seam at West Elk has been completed, with the mine now running at high productivity levels after overcoming initial challenges [7][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. utility coal consumption increased by 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with coal-fired generation in the PJM and MISO areas rising over 19% and 15%, respectively [16][17] - Global coal demand rose by approximately 0.5% to 8.9 billion metric tons in 2025, continuing a multi-year growth trend [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capturing synergies from the merger, achieving operational excellence, and establishing a safety-driven culture [4][5] - The company plans to return approximately 75% of free cash flow to shareholders, with a significant portion directed to share repurchases and a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share [8][9] - The company is also advancing efforts in rare earth elements and critical materials, with ongoing projects in the PRB and Northern Appalachia [25][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the operational outlook for 2026, expecting strong performance from both Leer South and West Elk mines [27][28] - The company anticipates a reduction in idling costs and an increase in insurance recovery compared to 2025, contributing to improved financial performance [24][28] Other Important Information - The company is benefiting from supportive public policy initiatives for coal, including a production tax credit and delayed retirements of coal-fired generation units [10][11] - The company is optimistic about the growth in demand for coal driven by data centers and AI, with significant increases in global data center capacity expected [17][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the high CV committed and priced for the PAMC portion? - The company has approximately 20.5 million tons committed for high CV, with 12 million domestic and 8.5 million for export, linked to API2 pricing [34][35] Question: What is the outlook for the order book in outer years? - The company contracted over 38 million tons last quarter, with pricing in contango for future years [39] Question: What does the 45X credit mean for shareholder returns? - The company expects higher insurance proceeds and a reduction in idling costs, which will positively impact cash flow and shareholder returns [43][44] Question: How are synergies showing up in the P&L? - Synergies are primarily seen in headcount reductions and improved marketing and logistics, although market conditions have impacted their full realization [52][54] Question: What tangible steps have been taken to improve operational delivery for 2026? - The company has all assets running and has implemented schedule changes and production strategies to enhance efficiency [90][91]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported a net loss of $79 million, or $1.54 per dilutive share, with adjusted EBITDA of $103 million, which includes $25 million of fire and idle costs from Leer South and $11 million from West Elk [12] - For the full year 2025, the net loss was $153 million, or $2.98 per dilutive share, with adjusted EBITDA of $512 million, impacted by $101 million related to Leer South fire and idle costs and $11 million from West Elk idle costs [13] - The company returned a total of $245 million to stockholders in 2025, constituting nearly 100% of free cash flow generation [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Leer South mine resumed longwall mining in mid-December 2025 after a combustion event in early 2025, achieving its production target in January 2026 [5] - West Elk transitioned to the B seam, which has significantly better mining conditions, and is now running at high productivity levels [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. utility coal consumption increased by 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with coal-fired generation in the PJM and MISO areas rising over 19% and 15%, respectively [14] - Global coal demand rose by approximately 0.5% to 8.9 billion metric tons in 2025, continuing a multi-year growth trend [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence, capturing synergies from the merger, and expanding its customer base for high-quality coal [4][5] - The company supports the Trump administration's initiatives to preserve and upgrade the U.S. coal fleet and expand coal exports [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the operational performance for 2026, expecting strong results from both Leer South and West Elk mines [24] - The company anticipates a significant reduction in merger-related expenses and an increase in insurance recovery compared to 2025 [21] Other Important Information - The company is advancing efforts in rare earth elements and critical materials, with ongoing projects in the PRB and Northern Appalachia [22][23] - Capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be between $325 million and $375 million, with a focus on maintenance and growth initiatives [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the high CV committed and priced for PAMC coal? - The company has approximately 20.5 million tons committed for high CV, with 12 million domestic and 8.5 million for export, linked to API2 pricing [30] Question: What is the outlook for shareholder returns? - The company plans to continue returning 75% of free cash flow to shareholders, with expectations for increased returns in 2026 [40] Question: What are the expectations for unit costs in 2026? - The company expects unit costs to improve in 2026 compared to 2025, with a focus on operational efficiency and cost management [57][58] Question: How is the market for high-volume coal with Leer South ramping up? - The company is seeing increased appetite in Asian markets and anticipates contracting significant volumes, particularly linked to PLV prices [62]