Latest Development News

Saturn Metals has secured the key mining lease for its 2.83Moz Apollo Hill project, lodged its environmental review and kept its definitive feasibility study on track for the December quarter. The company ended September with $110.7 million in cash, although a further $39.79 million placement tranche remains subject to FIRB approval.

Conrad Asia Energy has moved the US$320 million Mako gas project into full-scale fabrication after completing its 75% farm-down to Nations and securing a domestic gas sales route into Batam. The project remains fully funded, with first gas targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027, although Conrad’s cash position remains modest and further carry-loan drawdowns are expected.

Equatorial Resources is awaiting a final ICSID ruling on its Congo iron ore dispute, with a decision indicatively possible in the first half of 2027. The company also remains unable to confirm the status of its Guinea permits, while holding A$6.8 million in cash.

Epiminder says its $65.1 million cash balance can fund the DETECT study and next-generation Minder device into 2028, despite a higher quarterly operating outflow. The company also paid $3.5 million to major shareholder Cochlear for research and development during the quarter.

Encounter Resources has reported thick, high-grade niobium intersections at Green and deeper mineralisation at Emily, while gold anomalism has emerged within niobium-bearing carbonatites. The gold opportunity remains preliminary, with re-assays and mineralogical work now underway to test whether it could become a co-product.

South Port has entered FY27 with record full-year earnings behind it and first-quarter cargo volumes still rising, while a new chair takes over during a fresh investment cycle. The port is also preparing to add staff and potentially replace major equipment as regional development opportunities build.

SHAPE Australia has lifted FY27 project wins above $1.4 billion after securing an approximately $800 million DigiCo data centre contract, with the project expected to add about $200 million of revenue in each of FY27 and FY28. The award comes alongside stronger modular revenue, a new Western Australian facility and a quarter-end backlog up 21%.

Barton Gold has more than doubled the reported Challenger underground resource to 230koz of gold at 3.65 g/t, lifting its combined Challenger and Tarcoola resource base to about 400koz. The upgrade strengthens the case for a restart built around the permitted Central Gawler Mill, although most of the new underground ounces remain Inferred and are not Ore Reserves.

SciDev has secured approximately $8 million of committed MaxiFlox chemistry contracts across mining, utilities and infrastructure, with about $5 million expected to be recognised in FY27. The awards could reach $12 million if customer extension options are exercised, although those options are not guaranteed.

Latrobe Magnesium has completed its fully underwritten $3.4 million entitlement offer, with sub-underwriters absorbing roughly 91% of the available shares. The company says the funding carries its Victorian demonstration plant through to targeted first magnesium production by the end of 2026.

Metals X finished the September quarter with A$434.87 million in cash, but Renison production and recovery fell while unit costs rose. The Rentails project’s engineering completion and final investment decision have also moved into the first half of calendar 2027.

Rumble Resources has outlined a preliminary A$86 million pre-tax NPV for Western Queen, with a 45% IRR and almost four years of planned underground production. The study also leaves room for tungsten upside, but financing, approvals and a feasibility study remain unresolved.