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Copper Supply Crunch Looms: Can Lincoln Minerals’ Strategy Deliver?

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Lincoln Minerals is sharpening its focus on copper exploration with a renewed push at its Minbrie Project and new collaborations targeting base metals and graphite markets.

  • Minbrie Project exploration intensifies with historic core re-assay and upcoming drilling
  • Strategic MOU with Revera Energy to develop Eyre Magnetite Project using green hydrogen
  • Collaboration with SCN Canada targets premium graphite use in small modular nuclear reactors
  • Portfolio streamlined to prioritise copper and base metals, divesting non-core uranium assets
  • Investor webinar scheduled for 23 February 2026 to outline 2026 strategy and plans

Lincoln’s Copper-Centric Strategy

Lincoln Minerals Limited (ASX, LML) has unveiled a clear strategic pivot to position itself as a discovery-focused copper company, with the Minbrie Project on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula at the heart of this renewed focus. Following the appointment of CEO Chris Wilcox in late 2025, the company is intensifying exploration efforts to capitalise on the growing global demand for copper, driven by electrification and renewable energy trends.

Wilcox emphasised the importance of advancing Minbrie while selectively pursuing complementary copper projects, stating that the company aims to avoid distractions from its core base metals ambitions. This disciplined approach reflects a broader industry recognition that copper supply is struggling to keep pace with accelerating demand, with forecasts indicating a potential 10 million tonnes per annum shortfall by 2040.

Exploration Highlights at Minbrie and Southern Eyre

Lincoln’s exploration program at Minbrie is gaining momentum, with a methodical re-logging and re-assaying of historic drill cores revealing previously overlooked zones of copper and base metals mineralisation. Notably, the Eagle Ridge area within the project has emerged as a high-priority target, boasting historic intercepts such as 29.5 metres grading 0.8% copper alongside significant lead, zinc, and silver values.

The company plans to complement this data with wide-spaced air core drilling across the 17-kilometre prospective stratigraphy, aiming to identify new high-potential targets for follow-up diamond drilling. Parallel efforts at the Southern Eyre Project involve geological mapping and surface geochemistry to define copper targets in a similarly prospective geological setting.

Strategic Partnerships and Portfolio Management

Beyond copper, Lincoln is leveraging its non-core assets to create shareholder value without detracting from its primary focus. A Memorandum of Understanding with Revera Energy, backed by global investment giant Carlyle, targets the commercialisation of the Eyre Magnetite Project through a green hydrogen-fuelled pellet plant. This aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable energy infrastructure.

Additionally, a collaboration agreement with SCN Canada Inc aims to explore the use of graphite from Lincoln’s Kookaburra Graphite Project in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). This niche market commands a premium price for graphite used as nuclear moderators, potentially opening a lucrative avenue for Lincoln’s graphite resources.

Meanwhile, the company is streamlining its portfolio by initiating a sales process for uranium tenements that no longer fit its copper-centric strategy, while actively assessing new copper and gold projects that could complement Minbrie and enhance scale.

Engagement and Forward Outlook

Lincoln is also prioritising strong community and stakeholder engagement, particularly with local primary producers on whose land exploration occurs, recognising this as critical to long-term success. The company is progressing exploration approvals and refining drill targets with plans to commence drilling in the first half of 2026.

To provide investors with deeper insight into its strategy and upcoming activities, CEO Chris Wilcox will host a webinar on 23 February 2026. This session is expected to clarify the company’s roadmap and address shareholder questions amid a copper market backdrop that remains highly supportive.

Bottom Line?

Lincoln Minerals’ sharpened copper focus and strategic partnerships set the stage for a pivotal year in exploration and value creation.

Questions in the middle?

  • What initial results will the upcoming Minbrie drilling program deliver, especially at Eagle Ridge?
  • How will the partnership with Revera Energy progress towards commercialising the Eyre Magnetite Project?
  • What timeline and scale might the graphite collaboration with SCN Canada achieve in the emerging SMR market?