Latest Downstreaming News

Critica has produced a second high-grade mixed rare earth carbonate from its Jupiter project, closely matching the first product at 57.9% TREO. The latest laboratory result also carried higher magnet and heavy rare earth content, strengthening the case for further flowsheet development ahead of a scoping study.

IperionX says its GenX continuous titanium furnace processed more than 500 kilograms of powder while using substantially less power, magnesium and hydrogen than batch HAMR production. The results strengthen the case for an industrial-scale line, although further optimisation and engineering work are still required.

Avenira has agreed to supply Hebang with 500,000 wet metric tonnes of Wonarah phosphate rock annually for four years, covering more than 80% of expected DSO production. The commercial opportunity is substantial, but pricing, approvals and project arrangements remain unresolved.

Tungsten Mining has produced saleable tungsten concentrate grading up to 65.9% WO3 from its Watershed project in Queensland, confirming the conventional processing route planned for its DFS. Marketing samples have now been sent to potential offtakers, although no binding agreements have been signed.

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.

Australian Rare Earths has moved its Koppamurra pilot plant beyond heap leaching, recovering rare earths from about 5,000 litres of leach solution into a Mixed Rare Earth Hydroxide intermediate product. The result provides an early test of the downstream flowsheet, although commercial economics and final product quality remain unproven.

Osmond Resources reported a A$7.61 million FY26 loss and warned of a material uncertainty over its ability to continue as a going concern, despite holding A$5.50 million in cash. The company is betting its Spanish Orión project can move from exploration into a resource estimate and scoping study in the coming months.

Sunrise Energy Metals has put its Syerston scandium project on a stronger financial footing, ending FY2026 with A$115.4 million in cash and a conditional US$400 million debt commitment. The project still faces a decisive sequence of tests: final investment approval, binding offtake agreements, financing conditions and construction execution.

Brazilian Rare Earths has commissioned its Stage I beneficiation pilot plant in Bahia and produced its first rare earth mineral concentrate. Partners will contribute R$6.4 million, or about A$1.7 million, towards the next hydrometallurgical stage planned for commissioning in Q2 2027.

Axel REE has reported a major leap in metallurgical testwork at its Caladão Project in Brazil, achieving up to 95% gallium and 74% scandium extraction from a Tiger Creek composite sample. The results mark a significant step in developing alternative gallium recovery methods beyond traditional by-product sources.

Iondrive Limited’s updated evaluation of its IONSolv™ technology projects a US$243 million post-tax NPV and US$62 million annual EBITDA for a single rare earth recovery module in the US, driven by high feedstock grade assumptions and independently validated recoveries.

Lithium Universe’s Pre-Feasibility Study for its Brownsville Lithium Carbonate Refinery reveals robust economics and strategic US positioning, aiming to close North America’s lithium conversion gap.