Latest Critical Minerals News

Pivotal Metals’ maiden scoping study gives its Horden Lake copper project a projected post-tax NPV of A$920 million against A$411 million of pre-production capital. The headline returns are strong, but the project remains a preliminary study with no Ore Reserve, material Inferred Resource exposure and more than A$400 million still to raise.

IperionX has moved its Virginia titanium operation into 24/7 production, lifting nameplate powder capacity to about 200 tonnes a year while commissioning equipment aimed at higher-value components. The progress came alongside a US$66.8 million annual loss, US$63.5 million of operating and investing cash outflows, and continued reliance on government support, customer qualification and future capital.

WhiteRock Lithium has intersected spodumene-bearing pegmatite in all 10 newly reported drill holes at its Spodumene Mountain prospect in Québec. The visual results strengthen the geological case for continuity, but assays and true widths are still pending.

Alliance Nickel has approved a second phase of vat leach testing after preliminary NiWest results supported continued evaluation of the alternative processing route. The potential prize is substantial, but quantified recoveries and capital savings remain unproven.

Tungsten Mining says non-binding debt proposals could fund up to 70% of its Watershed project, equivalent to about A$200 million against estimated pre-production capital of A$274 million. The financing remains uncommitted, with strategic investment, offtake and government-backed options still in play.

Basin Energy has more than doubled the mineralised footprint of its Newmans rare earth discovery to 6.7km, with follow-up drilling also producing the strongest magnet rare earth interval reported so far. The early-stage results set up a busy fourth quarter of leach testing and further drilling, although no resource or recovery result has yet been established.

Viridis Mining and Minerals Limited (ASX:VMM) has used its FY2026 annual report to present Colossus as a rare earths project moving from study work into execution. The company has reported strong DFS economics and fresh equity funding, but still needs key permits, binding offtake and senior debt before construction can fully proceed.

QEM Limited (ASX:QEM) has suspended non-essential work at its Julia Creek vanadium project after metallurgical results undermined the 2024 Scoping Study. The loss-making explorer is now relying on newly acquired Idaho projects, fresh capital and further exploration to justify its next chapter.

ActivEX has eliminated its borrowings and reported a 310,000-ounce gold resource at Mt Hogan, but the balance sheet remains dependent on future funding. The ASX-listed explorer posted a $2.149 million loss after impairing exploration assets by $2.616 million.

Brazilian Critical Minerals has reported striking economics for its Ema rare earths project, including a US$1.47 billion post-tax NPV, 105% IRR and six-month payback. The company’s A$7.87 million FY2026 loss, December debt maturity, permitting requirements and unresolved Drake dispute leave the development case dependent on execution and further funding.

Cobalt Blue has secured a US$150,000 contract to deliver key technical work for Glomar Minerals’ planned US polymetallic nodule refinery. The work takes Project Infinity into a formal Preliminary Economic Analysis, although the project remains at an early evaluation stage and its cost estimates carry a wide accuracy range.

Octava Minerals is pursuing a staged acquisition of a 400km2 fluorspar project in Argentina’s historic Sierra Grande district, backed by an approximately A$1.8 million placement. The opportunity comes with substantial verification risk: the reported grades are historical, non-JORC compliant and have not been independently validated.