The past year has seen a whirlwind of changes in the mining industry, with a number of nations calling for big shake ups. Landmark discussions between the US and North Korea have led to speculation that the latter’s mineral riches could soon be within reach, while in Zimbabwe a mining surge could be on the horizon after President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over from Mugabe last year, declared the country ‘open for business’.

We also look back at some of the biggest stories in tech and commodities, including the world’s first fully automated mine, the development of mining vehicles, China’s ban on imports of scrap copper, and new legislation to encourage lithium mining in Peru.

We consider what’s been done to remediate the Samarco valley three years after the disaster, find out why BHP has left the World Coal Association, and ask how Canada’s sustainable initiative is helping to raise standards at mines around the world.

Finally, we delve deeper into some key issues in the industry, including gender-based discrimination, the decision by Glencore shareholders to sue the company, and the need to look elsewhere (in outer space) for alternative resources.

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Katie Woodward, editor