Latest Pilot Facilities News

NoviqTech says its Great Barrier Reef biochar project has passed harvesting, laboratory and Isometric eligibility assessments, while a potential offtake could cover at least 70% of planned credits. But the company ended September with A$151,000 in cash, an estimated 2.57 quarters of funding and no guarantee of returning to the ASX.

Nanollose has narrowed its microbial cellulose scale-up plan to one company-controlled Western Australian pilot facility, with all Stage 1 equipment ordered and paid for. The progress comes with a clear funding constraint: the ASX-listed biomaterials developer ended September with $758,000 in cash, equivalent to 1.41 quarters of funding at its current operating burn.

Australian Rare Earths has produced its first Mixed Rare Earth Hydroxide at the Koppamurra pilot plant while extending an interpreted carbonatite system at Overland by roughly 5km. The operating progress comes with two important qualifiers: Koppamurra still needs further product refinement and Overland assays remain pending.

Brazilian Rare Earths has strengthened the development case for its Brazilian rare earths portfolio, reporting high-grade Monte Alto drilling, a new Sulista discovery and first concentrate production at Camaçari. The company ended September with A$121.8 million in cash and no borrowings, although its headline US$6.0 billion project valuation remains based on a preliminary study with substantial inferred resources.

Sparc Technologies, Fortescue and Adelaide University will invest a further A$1.3 million in Sparc Hydrogen as the venture moves from laboratory integration towards on-sun testing. The funding follows laboratory results showing SunHydrogen modules exceeded 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, though commercial economics remain unproven.

Australian Rare Earths has converted Koppamurra from an exploration story into a defined rare earths development case, with an A$858 million after-tax PFS NPV and a maiden Ore Reserve. The next test is less geological than financial: the company must fund the path from pilot processing to construction while carrying a material going-concern warning.

Advance ZincTek posted an 11% rise in FY26 profit before tax to $2.247 million on 12.6% higher sales, driven by AI integration and US market strength. The company is set to enter residential battery manufacturing in FY27, leveraging its zinc oxide expertise.

Energy Fuels Inc. reported a transformative 2024 with a major acquisition boosting its heavy mineral sands assets, a uranium production ramp-up at key US mines, and commercial rare earth oxide output from its White Mesa Mill.

Sparc Hydrogen has partnered with US-based SunHydrogen to integrate and test solar-driven green hydrogen modules, hitting a notable 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in early trials. This collaboration aims to advance pilot-scale testing and techno-economic analysis to lower hydrogen production costs.

Australian Rare Earths (ASX: AR3) has delivered a standout Pre-Feasibility Study and maiden Ore Reserve for its Koppamurra project, underpinning a low-capital, high-return rare earths development. Meanwhile, pilot processing advances and a new niobium-REE discovery at Overland add momentum.

NoviqTech's Coralia has kicked off a comprehensive trial converting invasive Chinese Apple trees into biochar at its Great Barrier Reef project, aiming to validate carbon removal methods and support institutional partnerships.

Zinc of Ireland NL is set to reshape its zinc recovery and battery recycling prospects after signing to acquire Meclex's innovative hydrometallurgical technologies and launching a major drilling campaign at its Kildare project.