Latest Battery Materials News

EcoGraf’s preliminary review has identified potential to lift Epanko Stage 1 production from 73,000 to 87,600 tonnes per annum, while reducing first-10-year C1 costs by 5.8%. The higher-output case remains subject to further engineering, financing work and a Final Investment Decision.

Core Lithium has moved Finniss from care and maintenance back into active mining, with first spodumene concentrate produced after year end and a December-quarter shipment targeted. The restart leaves the company with A$181.8 million in cash, but also a substantial execution task ahead as Grants ramps up and BP33 is developed.

Firebird Metals has prepared the first manganese feedstock for its Australian Demonstration Plant, marking a practical step towards testing its integrated pathway from Western Australian ore to battery materials. Equipment remains scheduled to arrive in October, with commissioning targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.

LE Minerals finished FY2026 with an A$48.2 million statutory profit, but the result was driven by a one-off A$58.1 million after-tax gain from selling its Solaroz lithium project interest. The company ended the year with A$60.2 million in cash and term deposits as it reshapes its portfolio around Queensland and Utah exploration assets.

Metals Australia has reported a 50 Mt graphite resource, a maiden 21.51 Mt probable ore reserve and strong study-stage economics for its Quebec project. The opportunity is substantial, but the company ended the year with just AUD 3.73 million in cash and no mining revenue.

EcoGraf has begun a European Investment Bank-funded study program worth up to €2 million to test expansion options for its Epanko graphite project and planned battery anode operations. The work could strengthen future financing and development decisions, but it remains a planning exercise rather than a construction commitment.

LE Minerals has amended its proposed $20 million sale of three Queensland graphite projects after ASX flagged promoter and classified-asset rules that could lock up consideration shares. The cash component may now range from $2 million to $5 million, while shareholder approvals and MBM’s proposed IPO remain key execution hurdles.

AnteoTech expects to increase its unaudited FY2026 loss to $5.38 million after revising the accounting treatment of a lease make-good provision. The adjustment is non-cash, leaving cash and cash flows unchanged, but the audit is still incomplete and the figures may change again.

Talga has signed a non-binding LOI with German battery maker EAS Batteries for a potential five-year supply agreement covering Talnode graphite anode products. No volumes or purchase obligations have been agreed, with product qualification and negotiations now scheduled to run into 2027.

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.

PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk (ASX:ATM) reported Rp6.91 trillion in net profit and Rp62.71 trillion in first-half 2026 sales, with gold contributing the bulk of disclosed revenue. The Indonesian miner is also advancing downstream projects across gold, nickel and bauxite, although project costs and completion dates remain undisclosed.

LE Minerals has confirmed lithium-bearing brines across its White Plains project in Utah, with 12 direct push holes returning grades of up to 114 mg/L at 15 metres. The company will now work towards a maiden JORC Mineral Resource, although five southern auger sites produced no brine and several claims were not renewed.