Latest Operational Readiness News

Heavy Rare Earths Limited has cleared a key cultural hurdle with the Dieri Aboriginal Corporation, paving the way for a 25-hole maiden drill campaign at its South Ridge tin project in South Australia. The program aims to convert promising historic high-grade intersections into a maiden resource estimate, pending environmental approvals and road repairs after unprecedented rainfall.

88 Energy is gearing up to drill its Augusta-1 exploration well in Alaska’s North Slope, targeting a stacked oil resource estimated at 133.7 million barrels gross unrisked. The company has secured key operational assets and is progressing farm-out talks to share drilling risks ahead of the planned Q1 2027 spud.

Viridis Mining has lodged the critical Installation Licence for its Colossus Rare Earth Project in Brazil, clearing a key regulatory hurdle that unlocks construction and brings the company closer to a Final Investment Decision targeted for the second half of 2026.

Service Stream has locked in $455 million worth of new contracts, including a $405 million nine-year deal with Yarra Valley Water and $50 million in power station outage works in Queensland, boosting its infrastructure services footprint.

Pioneer Minerals has appointed Alaska Midnight Sun Drilling for its first reverse circulation drill campaign at the Springfield Tungsten, Gold and Gallium Project in Idaho, targeting high-grade multi-commodity mineralisation in Q3 2026.

Galilee Energy has secured a fixed-price drilling rig contract for its Zydeco-1 well in Louisiana, confirming a July 2026 spud date and reducing cost and scheduling risks ahead of a key Gulf Coast gas-condensate project.

Ausgold Limited has promoted Ben Stockdale from CFO to CEO and appointed Reece Olney as GM Operations, reinforcing its leadership as the Katanning Gold Project approaches a final investment decision.

Neurizon Therapeutics has gained ethics approval to start a Phase 1 trial of its NUZ-001 oral liquid formulation, aiming to ease treatment for ALS patients with swallowing difficulties.

Element 25 is making steady progress on its Butcherbird Expansion Project in Western Australia, with major equipment ordered, key contracts nearing finalisation, and project financing advancing toward closure ahead of a Q1 2027 commissioning target.

Merino & Co. secures a significant AUD 1.1 million order from its China distribution partner, marking the first major commercial milestone under its exclusive China distribution agreement and signalling growing demand for its wool products.

Aguia Resources has addressed all regulatory queries for its Tres Estradas phosphate mine operating licence, with final approval expected soon. The project remains on track for mid-May operational readiness, while its Pampafos fertiliser offers a significant cost edge amid supply shortages in Southern Brazil.

Lindian Resources reports steady progress at its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, maintaining schedule for first production in late 2026 with key infrastructure and regulatory milestones achieved.