Latest Downstream Processing News

Nex Metals has advanced its Kookynie Tailings Project metallurgical testing, lifting gold recovery significantly and uncovering a promising tungsten by-product opportunity.

Critica Limited has achieved a roughly 30% reduction in sulphuric acid consumption in the hydrometallurgical circuit of its Jupiter Rare Earth Project, confirmed by independent labs. This milestone complements earlier gains in concentrate grade and rare earth recovery, underpinning a lower-cost processing route ahead of the Q3 2026 scoping study.

OM Holdings' subsidiary OM Materials has locked in a binding take-or-pay deal to purchase up to 1.1 million tonnes per annum of manganese concentrate from Element 25's Butcherbird Mine, underpinning Element 25's expansion and financing plans.

Elementos Limited has cleared all conditions to acquire up to 50% of Iberian Smelting, advancing its integrated European tin mine-to-metal strategy by linking its Oropesa project with downstream smelting capacity in Spain.

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.

LE Minerals (ASX:LEL) reported a strong $60.4 million cash reserve as it progresses a $20 million sale and spin-out of its Queensland graphite assets to M Battery Materials. Meanwhile, exploration at its Capricorn Gold-Copper Belt and White Plains Lithium projects continues with mixed early results.

Anson Resources and JordProxa have successfully completed the first phase of non-thermal downstream processing test work, advancing the Green River Lithium Project closer to commercial production.

Quantum Graphite has cemented a two-decade exclusive ore supply agreement with Sunlands Pure Group, consolidating its downstream processing and refining operations. The company also secured environmental approvals for Sunlands Pure’s Oman refinery and kicked off detailed engineering for its Uley 2 project.

Alice Queen Limited’s Project Definition Study for the Horn Island Gold Project reveals robust economics with a pre-tax NPV of A$706 million and an IRR of 109%, underpinning plans for an 11-year mine life and a rapid 1.1-year capital payback.

Meteoric Resources has signed a strategic partnership with POSCO International to advance the development and commercial production of rare earths at the Caldeira project in Brazil, aiming to secure a resilient supply chain for Korea.

Osmond Resources has delivered robust assay results from drill hole SOR-08A and channel samples at its Orión EU Critical Minerals Project, underpinning a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and a low-capex Scoping Study. The company is also progressing a secondary listing on the Bolsa de Madrid, supported by a fully assembled Spanish team.

Axel REE has confirmed a breakthrough in sustainable rare earth extraction at its Woolrich deposit, surpassing previous test benchmarks and preparing for field trials in December 2026.