Tivan Secures $11.3M Boost as ETFS Capital Joins Speewah Fluorite Project
Tivan Limited has locked in $11.3 million in initial funding from ETFS Capital, marking a key step forward for the Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia. This strategic partnership accelerates development towards a Final Investment Decision expected in 2026.
- ETFS Capital completes $11.3 million Tranche 1 funding for Speewah Project
- ETFS Capital gains 6.04% equity interest, joining Sumitomo and JOGMEC
- Funding to accelerate project development and human resources build-out
- Further funding tranches planned to support Final Investment Decision in 2026
- Speewah aims to be Australia’s first acid-grade fluorspar mining and processing operation
Strategic Partnership Strengthens Speewah Project
Tivan Limited has taken a significant stride in advancing its Speewah Fluorite Project with the completion of Tranche 1 funding, securing $11.3 million from ETFS Capital. This injection not only provides crucial capital but also brings ETFS Capital on board as a strategic partner, acquiring a 6.04% stake in the project vehicle, Fluorite Holding SPV Pty Ltd.
ETFS Capital, the family office of noted philanthropists Graham and Louise Tuckwell AO, has been a substantial shareholder in Tivan since September 2025. Their involvement signals strong confidence in the project’s potential to become Australia’s first dedicated fluorite mining and processing operation, targeting high-purity acid-grade fluorspar for export markets.
Funding to Accelerate Development and Final Investment Decision
The initial tranche will be directed towards accelerating the project’s development, including expanding human resources, advancing programs of work, and securing long-lead items essential for execution. This momentum is critical as Tivan aims to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2026, a milestone that will determine the project's readiness for full-scale construction and operation.
ETFS Capital’s participation complements the existing strategic partners, Sumitomo Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 Japanese trading house, and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), a Japanese government agency. Together, these partnerships underscore the international interest and collaboration underpinning the Speewah Project.
Clear Pathway to Project Execution
Looking ahead, Tivan has outlined a clear funding roadmap to support the FID. This includes a second tranche payment of $5 million from Japan Fluorite Corporation, contingent on the unanimous adoption of a feasibility study expected in the first quarter of 2026, alongside $4.15 million in grant payments from the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program. These combined sources are expected to fully fund the expenditures needed to reach the FID without requiring additional capital from Tivan itself.
Executive Chairman Grant Wilson highlighted the strategic importance of this funding, noting that the acceleration capital is a “rare form of currency” in Australia’s critical minerals sector. He emphasised that it will enable optimal project design and support a constructive decision-making process moving forward.
Positioning Speewah in the Critical Minerals Landscape
The Speewah Fluorite Project is poised to fill a significant gap in the global supply chain for acid-grade fluorspar, a mineral essential for various industrial applications including aluminium production and chemical manufacturing. With growing demand for critical minerals driven by clean energy technologies and industrial needs, Speewah’s development is timely and strategically important.
As the project advances through its feasibility and funding phases, the involvement of high-profile partners and the secured capital position Tivan well to capitalise on this opportunity. However, the path to production still hinges on successful feasibility outcomes and subsequent investment decisions.
Bottom Line?
With Tranche 1 funding secured, Tivan is well-positioned to push towards a pivotal Final Investment Decision in 2026, setting the stage for Australia’s first acid-grade fluorspar operation.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming feasibility study confirm the project’s economic viability to trigger Tranche 2 funding?
- How will ETFS Capital’s strategic involvement influence project governance and future funding rounds?
- What are the potential market impacts if Speewah successfully establishes Australia’s first acid-grade fluorspar supply?
