BHP's New CEO Inherits a Full Inbox, Gold Breaks $4,000, SSR Mining Closes $1.49B Çöpler Sale, Paladin Hits New Uranium Discovery

Brandon Craig takes over as BHP CEO on July 1 with an immediate in-tray: Port Hedland strike threats, a $2.3 billion Jansen potash overrun, and a year-end Copper South Australia smelter decision. Gold breaks below $4,000 per ounce for the first time in seven months, driven by the strongest US dollar since May 2025 and rising Federal Reserve rate hike bets — copper also slips near six-week lows. SSR Mining closes its $1.49 billion sale of the Çöpler mine stake in Turkey, becoming a pure Americas gold producer. And Paladin Energy confirms a new high-grade uranium discovery — Atlas — at Patterson Lake South in Saskatchewan, with best intersection of 8.0m at 1.75% U3O8.

Show Notes

The Mining Insider | June 25, 2026 Story 1 — BHP's Brandon Craig Takes Over July 1 Brandon Craig (53) starts as BHP CEO July 1, 2026. Immediate challenges: Port Hedland three-union ultimatum (July 7 next session); $2.3B Jansen Stage 2 overrun (was under Craig's Americas oversight); year-end Copper South Australia smelter expansion decision; Vicuna copper JV (Argentina/Chile). On uranium: 'I would have a really good look at uranium, but scale is hard.' BHP at ~5% global uranium supply via Olympic Dam byproduct. On M&A: bolt-on possible; Glencore–Rio Tinto standstill expiring. Source: Reuters, June 25, 2026. Story 2 — Gold Below $4,000: Seven-Month Low Spot gold fell to $3,983/oz on June 25 — first time below $4,000 since October 2025. US dollar at highest since May 2025. Fed rate hike bets surging. Copper at ~$6.00/lb (six-week low). Silver near December 2025 lows. Impacts: Barrick (Mali dispute), Newmont (Cadia ramp-up), Agnico Eagle all face margin pressure. Standard Chartered targets $5,100 mid-2027; Morgan Stanley $5,200 H2 2026. Source: CNBC, Qatar Day, Trading Economics. Story 3 — SSR Mining Closes $1.49B Çöpler Sale SSR Mining (Nasdaq/TSX: SSRM) closes 80% stake sale of Çöpler mine (Turkey) to Cengiz Holding for ~$1.49B cash. Çöpler suspended Feb 2024 after heap leach pad incident; $261M net loss in 2024. SSR now a pure Americas producer: Cripple Creek & Victor (CO), Marigold (NV), Seabee (SK), Puna (Argentina). Source: Business Wire, June 24, 2026. Story 4 — Paladin Energy: Atlas Uranium Discovery at Patterson Lake South Paladin Energy (ASX/TSX: PDN) confirms Atlas discovery at PLS, Saskatchewan — 3.5km south of Triple R. 7 of 8 holes hit significant mineralisation. Best: 8.0m @ 1.75% U3O8 incl 3.0m @ 4.25% U3O8. First major new discovery at PLS since Paladin's acquisition. Zone open along strike and depth. Uranium spot: ~$85.50/lb. Source: GlobeNewswire, June 25, 2026. RSS Feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-mining-insider

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