Latest Environmental Approvals News

Metro Mining’s latest JORC update reveals a 69.6 million wet tonne Ore Reserve at Bauxite Hills, reflecting 8.1 million tonnes mined in 2025 with no new resource additions. The high-grade bauxite operation continues as a direct shipping ore mine amid rising silica content concerns.

Sunstone Metals has delivered a robust Scoping Study for its Bramaderos Gold-Copper Project in Ecuador, outlining a 23-year mine life, strong production rates, and a post-tax NPV of US$0.9 billion at a conservative gold price. The study highlights low operating costs and substantial exploration upside, setting the stage for a pre-feasibility study and funding pursuits.

Aurum Resources has unveiled robust assay results from 40 diamond drill holes at the BDT2 deposit, confirming substantial gold mineralisation beyond current resource boundaries and underpinning its 4.2Moz group resource growth strategy in Côte d'Ivoire.

Far East Gold Limited reveals promising metallurgical test results from its Idenburg project, showing gold recoveries around 95% using conventional processing methods. These early findings suggest a straightforward processing route but remain preliminary pending further testing.

VHM Limited has ditched its Shenghe Resources offtake agreement to broaden market options and approved a direct jump to full-scale 5Mtpa development at its Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project. Key regulatory approvals and a major drilling campaign underpin progress towards a mid-2026 Final Investment Decision and production slated for late 2027.

Lithium Plus Minerals has secured A$2.15 million through a discounted placement, backed by cornerstone investor Suzhou CATH and institutional buyers, to fund development and exploration at its Bynoe lithium project.

Buru Energy has secured $5.3 million through a two-tranche placement to fund enhanced development of the Rafael Gas Project, following a significant uplift in project economics from new engineering insights.

Axel REE is accelerating its in situ recovery (ISR) mining trials at the Caladão Project in Brazil, targeting rare earth elements and gallium extraction through a low-cost, environmentally friendly method. The company is fully funded for pilot wellfield trials at the Woolrich deposit, with expansion potential at Paraíso and Tiger Creek.

Future Metals has unveiled a lower-risk, lower-capital pathway for its Panton PGM Project by leveraging the idle Savannah Plant, delivering upfront savings of around A$74 million and preserving long-term growth potential.

Heavy Rare Earths Limited (ASX:HRE) is set to kick off its maiden drilling campaign at the South Ridge tin project in Prospect Hill, South Australia, following environmental approvals and cultural heritage clearances. The ~2,500m program aims to define a maiden resource against a backdrop of surging global tin prices and recent weather-related delays.

Hillgrove Resources has defined a significant Exploration Target for its Kanappa porphyry-style copper-gold prospect and secured environmental approval for a drilling campaign scheduled for mid-2026.

Sovereign Metals has delivered a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi, revealing robust economics, a 25-year mine life, and the potential to become the world’s largest producer of natural rutile and flake graphite, both critical minerals for Western supply chains.