Editor's letter

To close the year, we look at the mining trends that defined 2025 and those set to dominate 2026.

We then review why critical minerals came in and out of focus at COP30. We also explore COP30 host Brazil’s efforts to become a global sustainable producer of critical minerals, before turning our attention to Africa’s critical minerals play in the US and China’s battle for dominance of the global critical minerals supply chain.

In tech, we speak to Matt Pearson, founder of technology company Fleet Space, about how its solutions for use in space are benefiting mining on Earth. We also discuss leveraging AI and satellite technologies to optimise automation in mining, with insights from Stanford University’s Mineral-X programme founder and the investment director at the UK Space Agency.

Finally, we delve into district-scale mining and why it has become popular with junior miners.

Candiece Cyrus, editor