BHP Port Hedland Strike Widens as Third Union Joins, Oyu Tolgoi Blockade Tests Mongolia's Revenue Patience, China Hits Back at G7 Minerals Cap, and Hudbay Breaks Ground at Copper Mountain

BHP Port Hedland faces a three-union strike threat as the AWU files a protected action ballot, joining ETU (100%) and AMWU (89%); Resources Minister King issues a public please explain; strikebreakers recruited at up to $93/hr; $120M/day revenue at risk. Mongolian Radical Reform Movement briefly blockades Oyu Tolgoi copper road to China; exports resume in 24 hours; each week of blockade costs Mongolia US$13.3M. China calls G7 60% minerals cap a 'small clique' move and defends Decree 839. Hudbay breaks ground at New Ingerbelle, Copper Mountain BC — mine life past 2040, 750,000t copper, C$11.5B GDP.

Show Notes

The Mining Insider — June 18, 2026. Host: Logan Ore. Today's stories: 1. BHP Port Hedland faces a three-union strike as the AWU files a protected action ballot — joining ETU (100% vote) and AMWU (89% vote); Resources Minister Madeleine King issues a public please explain to BHP; strikebreakers reportedly recruited at up to $93/hr; BHP warns $120M/day in revenue and $7M/day in WA royalties at risk. 2. Mongolian Radical Reform Movement blockades the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine road to China on June 17 — exports resume within 24 hours (Bloomberg); each week of blockade would cost Mongolia US$13.3M; Oyu Tolgoi contributes 9% of Mongolia's tax revenue; government holding 34% seeks renegotiation toward 60% profit share. 3. China's Foreign Ministry calls G7's 60% concentration cap a 'small clique' move breaking international trade rules; defends State Council Decree 839 as standard international practice; urges G7 to comply with market economy principles. 4. Hudbay Minerals commences construction on New Ingerbelle expansion at Copper Mountain, BC — mine life extended past 2040; 750,000t copper, 900,000 oz gold, 5.5M oz silver; C$11.5B BC GDP contribution; 800+ jobs; permits and community agreements secured. Sources: The West Australian, WSWS/AAP, Northern Miner, Bloomberg, Mining Technology, Straits Times, Reuters, IndexBox/Hudbay.

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