July 2025 Metallurgy Blog
Looking for Metallurgy Consulting? Check out our Team. Click here.
Scroll down for more content!
Scroll down for more content!
July 9, 2025
Biggest Deposits of Precious Metals in Last 30 Years Discovered in the Andes Mountains
Biggest Deposits of Precious Metals in Last 30 Years Discovered in the Andes Mountains
A groundbreaking mineral discovery in the Andes Mountains is poised to reshape the mining landscape of South America. Located on the border of Argentina’s San Juan Province and Chile’s Atacama Region, the newly identified Vicuña Mineral Resource is one of the most significant finds in the last three decades. With an estimated 13 million tons of copper, 32 million ounces of gold, and 659 million ounces of silver, this deposit ranks among the largest of its kind worldwide.
Led by mining giants Lundin Mining and BHP, the project includes two major zones: Filo del Sol and Josemaria. Filo del Sol holds over 600 million tons at a 1.14% copper equivalent, while Jose Maria adds another 200 million tons at 0.73%. “We see the potential for Vicuña to be not only a significant copper producer but also one of the world’s largest gold and silver mines as well,” said Jack Lundin, CEO of Lundin Mining.
For Argentina, the economic implications are far-reaching. The project is expected to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and elevate the country’s role in supplying critical materials for clean energy and technology. However, the discovery also raises environmental and social concerns. The Andes' fragile ecosystems and the rights of indigenous communities must be carefully considered.
To address these issues, the companies have pledged advanced environmental management and community engagement. Learn more about this topic here.
Led by mining giants Lundin Mining and BHP, the project includes two major zones: Filo del Sol and Josemaria. Filo del Sol holds over 600 million tons at a 1.14% copper equivalent, while Jose Maria adds another 200 million tons at 0.73%. “We see the potential for Vicuña to be not only a significant copper producer but also one of the world’s largest gold and silver mines as well,” said Jack Lundin, CEO of Lundin Mining.
For Argentina, the economic implications are far-reaching. The project is expected to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and elevate the country’s role in supplying critical materials for clean energy and technology. However, the discovery also raises environmental and social concerns. The Andes' fragile ecosystems and the rights of indigenous communities must be carefully considered.
To address these issues, the companies have pledged advanced environmental management and community engagement. Learn more about this topic here.
July 20, 2025
MP Materials Defense Deal to Independize U.S. Rare Earth Supply Chain
MP Materials Defense Deal to Independize U.S. Rare Earth Supply Chain
MP Materials announced a landmark public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), aimed at creating a fully domestic rare earth magnet supply chain.
The deal represents a multibillion-dollar commitment to reduce foreign dependency, particularly on China, which currently dominates global rare earth exports. Under the agreement, the Pentagon will invest $400 million in newly created preferred shares of MP Materials, with warrants for additional stock—potentially becoming the company's largest shareholder.
MP Materials owns the only significant rare earth mine and processing facility in the U.S., located in Mountain Pass, California. It is currently constructing a magnet production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, set to begin producing neodymium-iron-boron magnets by year-end. A second facility is planned at a yet-to-be-named location, with commissioning expected in 2028. Together, these facilities aim to provide 10,000 metric tons of magnet manufacturing capacity annually.
As part of the deal, the DoD has committed to purchase 100% of the new facility’s output for the first 10 years, with a price floor of $110 per kilogram to ensure predictable cash flow. MP also plans to expand its heavy rare earth separation capabilities in California.
CEO James Litinsky called the agreement a “decisive action” to secure American supply chain independence. Learn more about this topic here.
The deal represents a multibillion-dollar commitment to reduce foreign dependency, particularly on China, which currently dominates global rare earth exports. Under the agreement, the Pentagon will invest $400 million in newly created preferred shares of MP Materials, with warrants for additional stock—potentially becoming the company's largest shareholder.
MP Materials owns the only significant rare earth mine and processing facility in the U.S., located in Mountain Pass, California. It is currently constructing a magnet production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, set to begin producing neodymium-iron-boron magnets by year-end. A second facility is planned at a yet-to-be-named location, with commissioning expected in 2028. Together, these facilities aim to provide 10,000 metric tons of magnet manufacturing capacity annually.
As part of the deal, the DoD has committed to purchase 100% of the new facility’s output for the first 10 years, with a price floor of $110 per kilogram to ensure predictable cash flow. MP also plans to expand its heavy rare earth separation capabilities in California.
CEO James Litinsky called the agreement a “decisive action” to secure American supply chain independence. Learn more about this topic here.
© Copyright BHC Associates, Inc., 2020 - 2025. All rights reserved.
