Latest Operational Costs News

Deterra Royalties has paid US$74.15 million for a royalty covering most of Ivanhoe Electric’s Santa Cruz copper project in Arizona. The deal adds a third core asset, but its projected returns still depend on financing, permitting and a targeted 2029 production start.

Global X Silver Miners ETF (ASX:SLVM) reported a $13.915 million loss in its first financial reporting period, driven overwhelmingly by fair-value and foreign-exchange losses on listed silver-mining equities. The fund then disclosed that its net asset value rose by more than 10% after 30 June, highlighting the sharp market swings embedded in the strategy.

Zimplats delivered a sharp FY2026 earnings rebound, with revenue up 57% and profit after tax rising to US$276.7 million. The result was driven mainly by stronger PGM prices, while lower sales volumes, higher unit costs, no dividend and rising sulphur dioxide emissions temper the celebration.

Intelligent Investor Ethical Share Fund (ASX: INES) swung from a $9.394 million profit to a $6.448 million loss in the year to 30 June 2026, as unrealised investment losses overwhelmed income. Net assets fell to $58.670 million while distributions rose sharply to 26.49 cents per unit, and a proposed change in ownership of its investment manager remains unresolved.

Cobalt Blue has secured a US$150,000 contract to deliver key technical work for Glomar Minerals’ planned US polymetallic nodule refinery. The work takes Project Infinity into a formal Preliminary Economic Analysis, although the project remains at an early evaluation stage and its cost estimates carry a wide accuracy range.

Element 25 has moved its Butcherbird manganese expansion from feasibility into project delivery, targeting mechanical completion and commissioning in the first quarter of calendar 2027. The company also strengthened funding and commercial support, although construction, financing conditions and the absence of FY2026 revenue leave execution as the central test.

WhiteHawk has secured an unsecured A$1.5 million facility and says it does not currently expect to raise equity, after cutting annualised operating costs by about A$1.24 million. The funding comes at a 16% interest rate and must be repaid in full at maturity, leaving execution and cash receipts central to the plan.

Boab Metals has signed a binding Heads of Agreement with RE:GROUP for mining services at its Sorby Hills silver-lead project, clearing a key operational milestone ahead of planned production in the second half of 2027. Site establishment is scheduled for January, with mining services targeted to begin by March.

Alfabs Australia’s FY26 reset preserved free cash flow despite a sharp earnings decline, while Mining growth and debt refinancing form the bridge to a potential dividend restart. The company enters FY27 leaner, but the plan still depends on execution, cash conversion and Phase II debt restructuring.

Astral Resources has strengthened its balance sheet and expanded its Mandilla gold resource as it moves from explorer toward developer. The next test is converting deep drilling, permitting progress and a proposed early-production joint venture into funded construction decisions.

EcoGraf has strengthened the technical and commercial case for its Tanzanian graphite strategy, including a larger Epanko ore reserve and planned downstream processing. But cash fell to A$3.8 million, and auditors flagged a material uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Peninsula Energy has increased the reported uranium resource at its Lance Project in Wyoming to 59.0 million pounds, with the Ross area delivering the clearest gain. The update adds confidence around Mine Unit 4, but remains a mineral resource estimate rather than a reserve or production forecast.