Hunan Shizhuyuan Nonferrous Metals tendered today for 800 mt in physical content of bismuth concentrates in July [SMM Bismuth Market Tracking Report]

[SMM Flash] Sinomine Resource Group is in talks to acquire Globe Metals & Mining’s Kanyika niobium development project in Malawi. The potential transaction would bring the Chinese critical-minerals group closer to a project it is already supporting through Sinomine International (Zambia) Engineering, which has been involved in early construction and development works at Kanyika. Globe began construction in January 2026 under a cost-reimbursable collaboration agreement, while first oxide production is targeted for the first quarter of 2028. Kanyika is positioned as a potential source of niobium and tantalum oxides, with Globe’s 2026 project plan targeting approximately 3,000 tonnes per year of Nb₂O₅ and 150 tonnes per year of Ta₂O₅ at full scale. Globe has previously retained full ownership and offtake rights while using Sinomine’s regional construction and processing expertise. Any acquisition would strengthen Sinomine’s exposure to niobium outside China and could add another strategic African critical-minerals asset to its expanding international portfolio.

[SMM Flash] Trekor Metals on August 19 provided an update on its wholly owned Aley niobium project in northeastern British Columbia, reporting progress in its proprietary flotation process that has delivered higher niobium recoveries, improved concentrate grades and reduced reagent consumption. The company said the resulting concentrate has been successfully processed into market-grade ferroniobium, a key input for specialty steel production, while work is also underway to evaluate direct production of high-purity niobium oxide. Trekor has appointed Steve Sparkowich as Director, Aley Niobium, to support technical development, market positioning and commercial strategy. According to the company’s existing NI 43-101 technical report, Aley contains 84 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves grading 0.50% Nb₂O₅, with a planned processing rate of 10,000 tonnes per day and projected annual capacity of 14,000 tonnes of ferroniobium over a 24-year mine life. Following successful pilot testing and ferroniobium production, Trekor is now scaling up the programme and shifting its focus towards product marketing, potential offtake parties and processors. The company’s current update indicates continued progress towards commercial development, although the project remains subject to development, financing, permitting and other risks.

[SMM Flash] Criminal organisations in the Amazon are increasingly positioned to expand from illegal gold mining into coltan, cassiterite, lithium, nickel, niobium and rare earth elements as demand grows for minerals used in batteries, semiconductors, defence, AI and clean-energy technologies. Existing networks controlling territory, clandestine airstrips, river routes and money-laundering channels can be adapted to support illicit mineral extraction and trade. In June 2026, Brazil’s Federal Police identified an illegal mining site in Pará where nearly 80 kg of gold was reportedly extracted over three years. The growing concern is that illegally sourced minerals can be mixed with legally mined material and laundered through forged documentation, intermediary companies and cross-border trade, making their origins difficult to detect. In April 2025, Colombian authorities seized nearly 49 tonnes of coltan and tin reportedly extracted from areas controlled by armed groups and destined for illegal export to China. Strengthening mineral traceability, financial intelligence, border controls and international cooperation will therefore be critical to protecting emerging critical-mineral supply chains from criminal infiltration.