Latest Element 25 (ASX:E25) News

Element 25 has started early site works at its Butcherbird Expansion Project in Western Australia, preparing the ground for a planned 1.1Mtpa manganese operation. The milestone shifts the project from planning towards physical construction, although the main construction package is yet to be awarded.

Rare earths, scandium and biotech stocks led the week’s gains, while a rights issue sent Green & Gold Minerals sharply lower. Large capital raisings, mine funding and takeover activity kept resources at the centre of investor attention.

Critical minerals led the market, with Australasian Metals doubling after taking an option over West African lithium projects. Rare earth technology, scandium finance and gold drilling also drew attention, but many developers fell as investors questioned funding and delivery.

Element 25 has signed a binding AU$50 million NAIF facility agreement for its Butcherbird Expansion Project, replacing an earlier funding commitment with a contractual financing framework. The money is not yet available: financial close, first drawdown and other conditions precedent remain outstanding.

Small-cap resources stocks led the week, while takeover activity and strong company results added to the gains. Wellnex Life more than doubled, but sharp falls in Trek Metals and Ionic Rare Earths showed that positive news did not always bring buyers.

Materials shares delivered another strong week, led by a 60.61% rise at iTech Minerals and major gains across gold, copper and critical minerals.
Investors rewarded fresh drilling results, larger mineral resources, project approvals and new supply agreements, although several heavily sold stocks showed that early buying did not always last.

Element 25 has locked in a binding take-or-pay offtake agreement with OM Materials for 100% of manganese concentrate from its Butcherbird Expansion, underpinning project financing and targeting commissioning in early 2027.

Carnaby led the market after Evolution Mining agreed to a A$213 million takeover. Coal and lithium names fell despite major production and funding news.
Across materials, investors rewarded deals and cash flow, but punished large capital needs and weak price follow-through.

Element 25 is on track to commission its Butcherbird manganese expansion in early 2027, while securing a substantial US Department of Energy grant to support its US battery materials facility.

Mining news drove the week, with drilling hits, funding wins and takeover bids pushing several small and mid-cap names sharply higher or lower. The biggest swings came from tin, platinum group metals and copper, while gold M&A in WA stayed at the centre of trading.

Big movers came from drill hits, takeover bids and fresh funding, but several stocks still fell even after good news. That mix says investors are rewarding clear near-term value, while punishing names where timing, cost or delivery still feel uncertain.

Element 25 is pushing ahead with its Butcherbird manganese mine expansion in Western Australia and developing a first-of-its-kind US high-purity manganese sulphate facility, backed by major OEM partnerships and a US$166 million DOE grant.