EU Scrap Policy Update: India, Thailand and Malaysia Reportedly Fail WSR Requirements for Metal Waste Imports

Boliden Somincor has awarded Master Drilling a contract to construct two 630-metre-deep, 4.5-metre-diameter raisebored shafts at its Neves-Corvo copper-zinc operation in Portugal. The first 630-metre pilot hole has already been completed in just 24 days, setting a new Master Drilling record. While no incremental copper production guidance was disclosed, the project represents continued investment in deep underground infrastructure at one of Europe’s key operating copper mines.

Vicuña Corp., the 50/50 joint venture between BHP and Lundin Mining, has awarded the construction contract for Sections A1 and A2 of the Northern Corridor in Argentina, advancing enabling infrastructure for the integrated Josemaria and Filo del Sol copper-gold-silver project. The contract was awarded to a joint venture comprising Contreras, BBC (Boetto y Buttigliengo Constructora) and San Juan-based Construmin following a technical and economic evaluation process that also considered local participation. The awarded sections cover 63.6 kilometres between Angualasto and Junta La Palca, passing through Malimán, and form the first portion of the broader Northern Corridor, which is reported at approximately 220 kilometres. The route is intended to provide future access to the Vicuña project through San Juan Province and support logistics requirements associated with upcoming development stages. The scope of work includes earthworks, embankment construction, excavation and blasting, drainage systems, retaining structures, signage and other road-safety infrastructure. Vicuña is being advanced through a staged development strategy, with Josemaria expected to form the first stage of development, followed by subsequent development of Filo del Sol. BHP has indicated that a Stage 1 final investment decision could occur as early as the end of 2026. The contract award marks another tangible infrastructure milestone for Vicuña as BHP and Lundin Mining advance one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper districts. Development of reliable road access will be important for construction logistics and future operations at the remote project. While the award does not alter the current production timetable, it demonstrates continued progress on enabling infrastructure ahead of a potential Stage 1 final investment decision.

Algo Grande Copper announced first assay results from its Phase II drilling programme at the Adelita Project in Sonora, Mexico, confirming high-grade copper-silver-gold skarn mineralisation at the Cerro Grande discovery. Hole AG-CG-PH2-002 intersected 30.23 metres grading 1.5% copper equivalent from 146.70 metres, comprising 0.83% copper, 47.3 g/t silver and 0.40 g/t gold. The interval included 3.55 metres grading 9.4% CuEq, containing 5.26% copper, 311.8 g/t silver and 2.22 g/t gold, as well as a 1.20-metre interval grading 15.8% CuEq, including 9.84% copper. The company said the mineralisation was intersected approximately 100 metres above the high-grade zone encountered during its Phase I drilling programme, indicating that the Cerro Grande system extends closer to surface than previously recognised. The hole was completed at a final depth of 661.8 metres. Assays remain pending below 179 metres, where a further 40.40 metres of visually mineralised core was logged between 179 and 301 metres. Additional Phase II holes along the Cerro Grande magnetic corridor also contain visually logged copper mineralisation, although assay results for those intervals remain outstanding. The Phase II programme is designed to expand the Cerro Grande skarn discovery along a 2.5-km magnetic corridor, with approximately 7,200 metres across 15 holes planned. The latest results extend high-grade copper-silver-gold mineralisation into a shallower part of the Cerro Grande system and provide further evidence of continuity along the skarn horizon. However, significant portions of the ongoing Phase II drilling remain supported only by visual observations, making forthcoming assays important in determining whether the mineralised footprint can be materially expanded. CuEq values are based on assumed recoveries, while true widths have not yet been established.