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1) New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich and Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva have introduced the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act to propose major reforms to the 1872 Mining Law, governing hardrock mining on federal lands. In a release, Heinrich said, "We cannot go all in on a clean energy future with a 19th century mining policy on the books," referring to the rush to mine critical minerals like lithium. “I think even more important than that, though, is that this bill would modernize the planning process that goes into mining,” he said. Conor Bernstein, a spokesperson for the National Mining Association called the proposals "punitive." "Completely upending the general mining law – especially, right now - is not only counterproductive to securing our supply chains and building a secure, responsible industrial base, but it will derail virtually everything the Biden administration is trying to accomplish on electric vehicle and renewable energy deployment," he said in a statement to the Mountain West News Bureau.
2) The Democratic Republic of Congo is looking to increase its stake in its cobalt and copper joint venture with Chinese companies from 32% to 70%, worrying that with only a third ownership, the country is giving away too much of its resources and receiving too little for it. The country's president, Felix Tshisekedi, said to move ahead with talks to "consolidate their position" in the mine saying that the venture leaves it little means to control the operations and benefits of the mine are leaving the country. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's largest producer of battery material cobalt, and a major producer of copper. "It is estimated that 90% of the Congo's mining exports go to China, but its contribution to GDP does not exceed 30%," said Jean-Pierre Okenda, director of extractive industries for Resource Matters, an NGO which is calling for greater transparency in the negotiations.
3) Newmont has published its 2022 climate report, showing several projects that the company is pursuing to address climate change. “Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges of our time and its impact on our earth and our business is undeniable,” Newmont president and chief executive officer Tom Palmer said. “We believe that industries that create value — like mining — have a responsibility to drive bold actions and innovation to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy," he added. Newmont will be focusing on its Vision Zero that it established with Caterpillar to achieve zero emissions mining.