Tivan Limited has delivered a pivotal feasibility study for its Speewah Fluorite Project, secured tranche funding totalling $16.3 million, and gained recognition from Japan and US governments as a key fluorite supplier. Concurrently, it expanded its portfolio with acquisitions and high-grade discoveries across tungsten and copper-gold projects.
- Feasibility Study approved and transition to Definitive Feasibility Study underway at Speewah
- Speewah Fluorite Project highlighted in Japan-US critical minerals joint fact sheet
- $16.3 million tranche funding completed by ETFS Capital and Japan Fluorite Corporation
- Acquisition and drilling progress at Molyhil Tungsten and Timor-Leste copper-gold projects
- Landmark $1 million community development initiative with Central Land Council
Speewah Fluorite Project Hits Key Development Milestones
Tivan Limited (ASX:TVN) marked a significant step forward in March 2026 with the completion and approval of the Feasibility Study (FS) for its Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia. The study, endorsed by joint venture partners Sumitomo Corporation, JOGMEC, and strategic investor ETFS Capital, paves the way for the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) phase. This progression is underpinned by a recent $16.3 million tranche funding, $11.3 million from ETFS Capital and $5 million from Japan Fluorite Corporation, earmarked to accelerate project development.
The Speewah Project, located near Kununurra, boasts one of the world's largest high-grade fluorite resources, with a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate updated in February 2026 to 43.2 million tonnes at 8.3% CaF2, reflecting a 16% increase in tonnage and 6% more contained fluorite compared to 2024. This resource upgrade supports enhanced mine planning and production scheduling feeding into the DFS.
Strategically, Speewah’s profile has been elevated by its inclusion in the Joint Fact Sheet issued by the governments of Japan and the United States, underscoring its role as a critical western-bloc source of high-purity fluorite. This recognition aligns with fluorine’s addition to Australia’s Critical Minerals List in late 2023, highlighting its importance in sectors like lithium-ion batteries and semiconductors.
Product Quality Confirmed and Regional Presence Strengthened
Independent assessments have confirmed that Speewah can produce premium acidgrade fluorspar suitable for hydrofluoric acid production, a key feedstock for high-tech manufacturing. Positive feedback from Asian end-users supports ongoing marketing efforts led by Sumitomo Corporation, with a mini-pilot production program underway to generate larger product batches for further evaluation and offtake negotiations. This development was detailed in a recent announcement confirming strong technical validation of product specifications.
On the ground, Tivan established a regional office in Kununurra to support growing operational activities and deepen engagement with Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders. Executive Chairman Grant Wilson will be based locally for six months, signalling a commitment to embedding the project within the community and maximising local employment and training opportunities.
Expanding Portfolio with Tungsten and Copper-Gold Acquisitions
Beyond Speewah, Tivan completed the acquisition of the Molyhil Tungsten Project in the Northern Territory and the Baucau and Ossu copper-gold projects in Timor-Leste during the quarter. The Molyhil Project, hosting over 12,000 tonnes of tungsten trioxide, is advancing through a Scoping Study with engineering and mining scopes awarded to GR Engineering Services and SRK Consulting. Drilling and geophysical surveys have commenced to explore resource expansion opportunities.
In Timor-Leste, surface sampling at Baucau and Ossu returned high-grade copper-gold-cobalt assay results, with copper up to 17.4%, gold reaching 38.1 g/t, and notable cobalt grades of 0.45%. These findings validate historical data and bolster confidence in the projects’ prospectivity, setting the stage for expanded exploration including geophysical surveys and mapping. The company is also progressing a joint venture framework with the state-owned Murak Rai Timor EP.
This copper-gold progress complements the ongoing fieldwork at the Turiscai Project, where recent rock chip sampling has revealed encouraging grades consistent with porphyry-style mineralisation.
Community Commitments and Leadership Enhancements
Tivan has formalised a landmark community development initiative with the Central Land Council, committing up to $1 million in grant funding over four years to support Indigenous communities in Central Australia. This program aims to deliver tangible benefits well ahead of project development and is governed under the CLC’s established Community Development Program.
Strengthening its executive team, Tivan appointed Robert Gerrard as Chief Operating Officer. Gerrard brings over 18 years of experience managing large-scale capital projects in the resources sector, including major Australian developments. His role will focus on building Tivan’s project execution capabilities and operational readiness as the company transitions projects toward construction and production phases.
Financial Position and Outlook
As at 31 March 2026, Tivan reported cash reserves of $22.446 million, supported by recent equity funding and government grants. Exploration and evaluation expenditures totalled $3.52 million for the quarter, primarily focused on Speewah. The company also received a $0.87 million refundable tax offset under the Federal Government’s R&D program, reflecting ongoing innovation efforts in critical minerals processing.
With the Definitive Feasibility Study advancing and joint venture negotiations progressing, notably the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding with Sumitomo Corporation for Molyhil, Tivan is positioning itself as a growing player in critical minerals supply chains. The company’s multi-commodity portfolio and strategic partnerships provide a diversified platform amid evolving global demand.
These developments build on the recent confirmation of premium acidgrade fluorspar quality for Speewah, which has attracted strong interest from Asian end-users and is central to Tivan’s marketing strategy. This integration of technical progress, funding, and stakeholder engagement highlights the company’s methodical approach to advancing its projects toward production.
Bottom Line?
Tivan’s steady advancement of Speewah alongside strategic acquisitions and community partnerships positions it well for critical minerals supply, but upcoming DFS results and joint venture agreements will be key inflection points.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the Definitive Feasibility Study outcomes impact Tivan’s final investment decision timeline for Speewah?
- What structure and partners will emerge from ongoing joint venture negotiations for the Molyhil Tungsten Project?
- Can Tivan sustain exploration momentum across its diverse portfolio while managing capital deployment efficiently?