July 30, 2026

IMC Rare Earths began trading on NYSE American under the ticker "IMC" on Wednesday, Mining.com reports. The company is advancing the Itarantim project, a large-scale ionic adsorption clay deposit in northeastern Brazil. Why it matters: The listing adds a new pure-play rare earths producer to US public markets at a moment when Western governments are actively courting supply-chain alternatives to China-dominated rare earths production. Source: Mining.com, July 30, 2026.

A new resource estimate for Selkirk Copper's Minto mine outlines 47.8 million measured-and-indicated tonnes grading 0.89% copper, 0.34 grams gold per tonne, and 3.2 grams silver per tonne, Mining.com reports -- nearly tripling contained metal versus prior estimates. Why it matters: Copper resource growth at existing, previously producing assets is a cheaper and faster path to new supply than greenfield development, relevant as copper prices climb on tightening global supply. Source: Mining.com, July 30, 2026.

Perpetua Resources has launched an antimony pilot plant in partnership with the US Army and Idaho National Laboratory, tied to its Stibnite Gold project, Mining.com reports. The effort aims to add domestic antimony supply to the US critical-minerals chain. Why it matters: Antimony -- used in ammunition, batteries, and flame retardants -- is almost entirely imported into the US today, mostly from China; a domestic pilot plant backed by the Army signals the mineral's rising strategic priority. Source: Mining.com, July 30, 2026.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry said a failure to fully acknowledge Europe's energy insecurity could create national-security vulnerabilities, Oilprice.com reports, noting that NATO's Ankara summit this month barely addressed the energy fallout from the wars in Ukraine and Iran. Why it matters: The remarks underscore how the current Middle East conflict has pushed energy security back to the center of Western strategic planning, after years in which it was treated as secondary to direct military concerns. Source: Oilprice.com, July 30, 2026.

Saudi Arabia's quarterly budget deficit shrank by nearly three-quarters in the second quarter as oil revenue rose 28% on higher crude prices, even as the region's ongoing war has hammered the kingdom's oil output, Oilprice.com reports, citing the finance ministry. Why it matters: Higher prices are cushioning Saudi finances despite lower production, a reminder that conflict-driven price spikes can outweigh volume losses for major exporters even as they strain importers elsewhere. Source: Oilprice.com, July 30, 2026.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz ticked up as US-Iran negotiations continue following the collapse of an earlier memorandum of understanding, but the security situation in the Gulf deteriorated overnight after new US strikes on Iran, Oilprice.com reports. A US-owned LNG vessel was reportedly struck as well. Why it matters: Hormuz carries roughly a fifth of global oil flow; a rebound in traffic without a corresponding de-escalation in strikes leaves exports vulnerable to sudden disruption. Source: Oilprice.com, July 30, 2026.