Latest Operational Costs News

Lake Resources has reduced Kachi’s estimated capital cost by US$220 million and outlined a 25-year, 25,000-tonne-per-year operation. But the lithium developer still needs further funding, environmental approval, offtake and a final investment decision before construction can begin.

Australian Mines has appointed a specialist consultant team to complete the pre-feasibility study for its Flemington Scandium Project, targeting delivery in the first quarter of 2027. The study will retain a 60-tonne-per-year scandium oxide reference case while testing production scenarios of up to 180 tonnes per year.

Leeuwin Metals has confirmed gold across all 10 samples from historic tailings at its Marda Central project, averaging 0.596 g/t Au in the top metre. The result points to a potentially accessible processing opportunity, but the material remains well short of a defined resource or economic study.

PMET Resources says Koch Technology Solutions has demonstrated a more selective pathway for turning Shaakichiuwaanaan pollucite concentrate into multiple high-purity caesium chemicals. The result is promising, but the commercial case still depends on larger-scale testing, marketable samples and a planned economic assessment.

Ballard Mining has lifted the Mt Ida Gold Project’s global Mineral Resource Estimate by 56% to 1.84 million ounces, led by a larger Baldock deposit and new regional resources. The increase gives the planned feasibility study a much larger technical base, although most of the resource remains Inferred and is not yet an Ore Reserve.

Capricorn Metals has completed its Karlawinda Expansion Project on schedule and achieved the targeted 6.5 million tonnes per annum throughput. The expanded operation is expected to produce about 150,000 ounces of gold annually, although the plant remains in its ramp-up phase.

Castile Resources has emerged from FY2026 with a larger Rover 1 resource, stronger preliminary project economics and A$9.37 million in cash. The next challenge is converting a A$1.07 billion pre-tax NPV8 study into a funded, permitted mining project.

Many Peaks Minerals has extended the tested vertical depth of gold mineralisation at its Ferké project by about 70%, with a deepest intercept returning 40.3 metres at 3.89g/t gold. The results support a planned resource update and preliminary assessment of underground mining, but remain exploration results outside the current resource.

Anax Metals has moved its Whim Creek copper-zinc project closer to a targeted investment decision, backed by strong feasibility economics and new drilling. But the annual report makes clear that development still depends on securing further funding, with the auditor warning of a material uncertainty over going concern.

Antipa Minerals has selected a preferred processing and mine development configuration for its Minyari Dome project, combining gold doré with a separate copper concentrate. The decision advances the study, but pushes the pre-feasibility study release into November 2026 while costs and project economics are finalised.

Fortuna Metals has reported a sharply expanded exploration base at its Mkanda rutile and graphite project in Malawi, alongside a narrower FY2026 loss and A$8.6 million of post-year-end funding. The resource remains early-stage and inferred, but the scale and product quality have moved the project into a more consequential development phase.

Meeka Metals has reported its first full-year profit as a gold producer, but the $51.3 million result came after a difficult second half and $107 million of growth investment. The company is now betting that higher-grade underground ore, processing upgrades and a fresh Mt Holland portfolio can improve cash generation.