Canadian oil export concerns, Mount Milligan extension approved, and artificial intelligence’s growing role in mineral exploration

Canadian oil export concerns, Mount Milligan extension approved, and artificial intelligence’s growing role in mineral exploration

Canadian oil export concerns, Mount Milligan extension approved, and artificial intelligence’s growing role in mineral exploration

https://magazine.cim.org/en/news/2026/weekly-mining-news-recap-january-9/

Publish Date: 2026-01-09 12:40:00

Source Domain: magazine.cim.org

  • Centerra Gold Mine Approval: British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office extended the operation of the Mount Milligan copper-gold mine through 2035.

  • TSX Record High: The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) hit a new closing record of 32,219.95 amid the aftermath of U.S. forces’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

  • Greenland Annihilation Threat: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will discuss Greenland’s potential annexation with officials from Greenland and Denmark amid security threats discussed by President Trump.

  • AI in Exploration: A report indicates that while AI and machine learning adoption is growing in mineral exploration, barriers like budget, ROI, skills gaps, and distrust remain.

  • Glencore and Rio Tinto Merger Talks: The companies are revisiting discussions for a possible all-share merger to form the world’s largest mining company.

  • Arianne Phosphate Funding: The firm will receive up to $735,000 in federal funding for phosphate processing at its Quebec project.

  • Kamoa-Kakula Smelting: Ivanhoe Mines has initiated copper anode production at its smelter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a targeted annual capacity of 500,000 tonnes.