Philippines Sector Update: The Mines and Geosciences Bureau says metal production value in the first half of 2026 jumped 41.4% to P202.18 billion, led by gold (up 42.4% in value) even as volumes fell 12.6%. Community Pushback: Romblon officials delivered 31,000 signatures to DENR urging protection of Sibuyan Island from large-scale metallic mining. Regional Minerals Pact: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru signed a declaration to boost cooperation on strategic minerals, including copper and lithium, with new working groups on geology, oversight and skills. Silver Output Disruptions: Three major silver-producing countries missed output targets due to a Mexico community blockade, Peru zinc grade issues, and a Chile snowstorm—showing non-price factors driving supply. U.S. Defense Supply Moves: The Department of War backed Trilogy Metals with $35.6m for critical minerals in Alaska, and added $100m follow-on preferred equity to Atlantic Alumina to preserve domestic alumina refining capacity. Safety Incident: B2Gold reported a fatality at its Masbate gold project after a pipe burst during maintenance; the area was secured and work paused while investigations continue. Guanajuato Silver Options: Guanajuato Silver granted incentive stock options to an officer for 150,000 shares at $0.50, expiring in 2031. Vale Automation Deal: Vale and ABB expanded automation and AI deployment from Brazil’s Conceição II model plant to other iron ore operations. Coal Power Controversy: Strategic Metals is pushing a coal-fired power plan in Yukon tied to the Division Mountain deposit, arguing for coal’s role amid grid strain. Ghana Revenue Transparency: Nigeria’s RMAFC pledged deeper collaboration with NEITI to strengthen extractives revenue transparency and accountability. Mining Policy Fight (U.S.): Industry groups asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a ruling upholding tighter Biden-era soot standards. Stock/Market Watch: Precious metals slid on hawkish Fed signals, hitting gold miners including SSR Mining.