Ghana Mining Finance: MIIF and Ghana International Bank (GHIB) have started talks on a strategic partnership to expand mining investment and financing, including structured finance for mining and value-chain projects and trade finance for mining exports/imports, with lithium flagged as a key early-stage opportunity. Armenia Copper Asset: Armenia’s Teghut copper-molybdenum mine has shifted to U.S.-linked Dynamic Frontier Holdings via Kuprar RA LLC, as the deal follows earlier VTB divestment steps and positions the asset within the TRIPP+ “Trump Route” investment push. South Africa Illegal Mining Crackdown: Two SANDF members died after falling into an abandoned mine shaft during Operation Prosper in Gauteng, prompting renewed calls for deeper scrutiny of the illegal mining value chain beyond low-level operators. India Coal & Forest Clearances: India’s environment panel has given in-principle clearance for diversion of large forest areas for coal mining in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, with conditions on mitigation, afforestation and compliance. Critical Minerals Watch: Indonesia’s nickel market jumped to a three-week high on LME supply tightening tied to revised 2026 RKAB quotas and a sulphuric acid shortage that is slowing smelter throughput. Policy Signal for Batteries: China will end its lithium-ion battery tax exemption, introducing a 2% consumption levy from Sept. 1, 2026 (rising to 4% in 2027), while keeping some newer chemistries exempt longer. Project Updates: Kingfisher Mining reported strong copper-gold intercepts at its Copper Blow project, and Solis Minerals began a 10-hole diamond drilling program at its Mandacaru lithium project in Brazil targeting a pegmatite system.