Gold & Base Metals Exploration: Mandrake Resources has contracted Geodrill for a 3,200m reverse-circulation program at its Berinka Pine Creek gold-copper project in Australia’s Northern Territory, targeting the Terry’s prospect plus new geochemical and geophysical anomalies, with drilling pencilled for August 2026 pending an environmental licence. Market Mood: Australia’s ASX is set to open lower as investors weigh a firmer US dollar and renewed rate worries after the Fed’s hawkish tilt, pressuring gold and copper sentiment. US–China Trade Friction in Mining: Serbia’s president says the US is harming Serbia’s economy after blocking copper imports from Zijin Copper over forced-labour allegations, with Zijin denying wrongdoing. Energy Transition Policy Shift: Kazakhstan is moving to simplify subsoil rules to enable coal-seam methane development in the Karaganda region. Crypto Mining Pivot: HIVE Digital shares jumped after a $220m, three-year GPU cloud deal with Bell Canada and Cohere, marking further shift away from pure bitcoin mining. Zimbabwe Mining & Finance: Caledonia Mining says it contributed about $250m to Zimbabwe over nine years; the Mining Industry Pension Fund will keep paying 2026 pension increases in US dollars after posting a surplus; and Zimra has issued nearly $4m in retrospective tax bills to Masimba Holdings and Zimplow. Local Processing Push: Zimbabwean lithium miners are asking for more time to build processing plants ahead of a January 2027 concentrate export ban. Regional Investment Risk: Mozambique’s new mining law requiring a 15% state stake and tighter export rules could deter foreign investment, according to its chamber of mines. Court & Compliance: A Bulawayo court cleared the way for a full civil trial in Zimasco’s US$269k chrome theft dispute. Illegal Mining Pressure: Zimbabwe’s Thuli River is seeing a growing gold rush by illegal panners, raising safety and environmental alarms. Project Funding: West Wits Mining secured ZAR1.115bn to fund its Qala Shallows underground gold mine ramp-up in South Africa. Potash Cost Shock: BHP flagged Jansen Stage 2 potash cost overruns, triggering a major market sell-off. Shipping & Oil: Oil prices ticked up as Strait of Hormuz reopening hopes grow, though mine-clearing and security risks remain.