Mines and Money will return to Hong Kong on April 13-14, 2026, bringing together mining executives, investors and commodities traders as Asian capital takes a larger role in funding global resource projects and governments intensify efforts to secure long-term access to metals critical to the energy transition and industrial growth.
Operating internationally for more than two decades, the conference will centre on investment, financing and supply-chain partnerships across mining and critical minerals, with a focus on Asia’s expanding influence in global metals markets.
Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META, XETRA:FB2A, SIX:FB) is again being reminded that global AI deals don’t happen in isolation. Chinese officials are reviewing Meta’s proposed $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, the Financial Times reports.
The review, led by China’s commerce ministry, is at an early stage and is examining whether Manus’s technology and the relocation of staff to Singapore should have required an export licence under Chinese regulations.
Mesoblast Ltd (NASDAQ:MESO, ASX:MSB) reported $US35.1 million ($52.4 million) in gross revenue from Ryoncil sales in the December quarter, up 60% on the prior period.
Mesoblast has reported $US35.1 million ($52.4 million) in gross revenue from sales of its cell therapy Ryoncil during the December quarter, representing a 60% increase on the prior period.
Codan (ASX:CDA) expects 1H FY26 group revenue of about $394 million (up 29% on pcp) and underlying net profit after tax of at least $70 million (up about 52%), based on preliminary, unaudited figures for the half-year ended December 31 2025, that remain subject to audit review.
The company said the result was driven by “outstanding” performance in metal detection and continued strength in communications.
Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) has confirmed it is in merger talks with Rio Tinto Ltd (LSE:RIO, ASX:RIO, OTC:RTNTF), after reports the miners were discussing a potential tie-up that could reshape the global sector.
The Swiss mining and commodity trading giant said on Friday it was in preliminary discussions with its British-Australian rival “about a possible combination of some or all of their businesses”.
Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX:ALK, OTC:ALKEF) has posted a solid December 2025 quarter across its three operating mines, reporting 43,663 ounces of gold equivalent (AuEq) production for the period October 1 to December 31, 2025.
On a consolidated basis, the group produced 42,767 oz of gold and 267 tonnes of antimony, with the antimony contribution lifting the total to 43,663oz AuEq for the quarter.
Trade tension between China and Japan has taken a sharply more tech-shaped turn this week — and Australian markets moved quickly to price in what it could mean for supply chains that underpin everything from EV motors and wind turbines to advanced electronics and defence systems.
The immediate trigger was Beijing’s decision to restrict exports of “dual-use” goods to Japan for military purposes, a category that can sweep up sensitive electronics and materials with both civilian and defence applications. Tokyo condemned the move as “absolutely unacceptable”, as the dispute broadened from rhetoric over Taiwan into economic security — the kind of escalation that tends to land directly in the earnings models of chipmakers, automakers, and critical-minerals producers.
Export Development Canada (EDC) has extended its letter of interest for potential financing support of up to C$100 million (AU$107 million) for Green Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:GT1, OTC:GTMLF)’ Seymour Lithium Project in Ontario, keeping the indicative backing on the table through December 2026 while due diligence and internal approvals continue.
EDC is Canada’s official export credit agency and has completed more than 540 transactions across sectors including mining and energy, totalling more than US$41 billion (AU$61 billion).
BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL)’s board has unanimously rejected an unsolicited, non-binding, indicative and conditional takeover proposal from a consortium comprising SGH Limited (ASX: SGH) and Steel Dynamics Inc (NASDAQ:STLD).
The consortium proposed to acquire all BlueScope shares via a scheme of arrangement for $30.00 cash per share, less the value of any dividends paid before completion. BlueScope said the time required to implement any transaction would likely reduce the effective value to shareholders below $30.00 per share, while leaving upside with the consortium.
Anthropic is in talks to raise about $10 billion in fresh funding at a $350 billion valuation, according to The Wall Street Journal, with Reuters also reporting the same headline terms.
Per the report, the round is expected to be led by Coatue Management and GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund). People familiar with the discussions told the WSJ the financing could be completed within weeks, though the total amount and final terms may still shift.
Discord has filed confidentially for an initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter, as venture capital-backed tech companies build a growing pipeline of potential listings.
According to the chatter, the San Francisco-based chat app is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on a sharemarket float, noting planning is ongoing and Discord could still decide not to proceed. The sources asked not to be identified because the discussions are not public.
Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) managing director and CEO Neil Salmon will retire after 13 years with the company, including serving as chief executive since September 2021.
The board has appointed former Fiskars Group CEO and President Nathalie Ahlström as his successor, citing her global leadership experience.
Larvotto Resources Ltd (ASX:LRV) has reported further high-grade antimony-gold intersections from diamond drilling at the Clarks Gully prospect, reinforcing growth potential at its 100% owned Hillgrove Antimony-Gold Project in New South Wales.
The latest drilling confirms mineralisation continues both at depth and along strike to the north, with results also validating the company’s resistivity geophysical targeting model.
Chariot Resources (ASX: CC9) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Fujian Jinjianqiao New Energy Technology to explore cooperation across offtake, funding support and potential in-country processing for Chariot’s Nigerian lithium portfolio.
Jinjianqiao is a China-based lithium trader with operations in Nigeria, reporting about 90,000t of lithium concentrates and ores marketed and distributed in 2025, with volumes projected to double in 2026.
St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has uncovered a significant new zone of high-grade niobium mineralisation well outside its existing resource footprint at the Araxá Project in Brazil, strengthening the case for a major expansion of one of the world’s most important niobium and rare earths systems.
The discovery, made around 400 metres northwest of the current mineral resource estimate (MRE), returned thick, high-grade niobium intercepts from surface, led by 81.5 metres at 1.27% Nb₂O₅, including 43 metres at 2.01% Nb₂O₅ and grades peaking at 7.2% Nb₂O₅. The standout result came from discovery hole AXDD031, drilled into an area that had never previously been tested.