Search the Skillings archive
Charles Pitts is the publisher of Skillings Mining Review, the trade journal that has covered mining since 1912. He writes on the macro forces behind metal prices: commodity cycles, sovereign capital and the shifting sources of demand. His current work argues that hyperscale AI, and the gigawatt-scale power its data centres need, is becoming a buyer of lithium and copper in its own right, competing with the automotive supply chain for tier-one reserves.
By charles Pitts KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo : President Felix Tshisekedi has issued a high-stakes mandate for a comprehensive 30-day audit of the nation’s mining…
As of April 30, 2026, the global copper market is navigating one of its most turbulent periods in decades. Once viewed primarily as a bellwether for…
The global mining landscape is undergoing a massive capital realignment as gold prices consolidate near $4,800 per ounce. This week, two major transactions have redefined the…
The global mining sector in 2026 is no longer defined solely by extraction volumes, but by the efficiency of the "AI-Energy Nexus." As data centers expand…
Critical minerals permits have become the primary bottleneck in the global transition toward a decarbonized economy. In North America, where the demand for lithium, copper, and…
The global mining sector enters the second quarter of 2026 facing a paradox of pricing: gold is testing historical resistance near $4,800 per ounce, while lithium…
A modern mineral processing facility operating at dawn, reflecting the scale of new development in the global mining sector. Gold is testing $4,800/oz, and that is…
The global copper market is approaching a fundamental crossroads that will redefine trading strategies through 2026. As the world transitions toward a highly electrified, AI-driven economy,…
The consolidation phase of the 2026 mining cycle has shifted from tentative exploration to high-conviction acquisition. As major producers look to replenish reserves against a backdrop…
The industrial landscape of 2026 is being fundamentally rewritten by the convergence of two massive capital cycles: the expansion of generative AI and the revitalization of…
Our newsletters on critical minerals, policy and the week’s deals, free through LinkedIn or by email.
Your privacy We use cookies that the site needs to work. With your permission we also use analytics cookies (Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity) to see which stories are read and how the site is used, so we can improve it. We do not use advertising cookies or sell your data. Cookie Policy · Privacy Policy
Keep the site working and secure, and remember this choice. Always on.
Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity: which pages are read, how readers move through the site, and where it is hard to use. Clarity can record how a page is scrolled and clicked; it masks what you type.
