Latest Pilot Plant Construction News

BCI Minerals has contracted Bluestar Lehigh to build a 150 kg/hr sulphate of potash pilot plant at Mardie, aiming to de-risk commercial SOP production. Commissioning is set for early FY2028 with piloting to span about a year, funded within the existing $1.443 billion Mardie budget.

Aura Energy has locked in a commercially proven processing flowsheet for its Tiris Uranium Project and signed a non-binding MOU with a major nuclear utility, aiming for a binding agreement and Final Investment Decision by year-end 2026.

Iondrive Limited has independently confirmed strong rare earth recoveries from U.S. magnet waste and gained Oklahoma government support for its first commercial processing module, advancing its U.S. commercialisation strategy.

RareX Limited and Iluka Resources have progressed to the Request for Proposal stage for the Mrima Hill Niobium and Rare Earths Project in Kenya, backed by a A$1.65 billion Australian Government loan for downstream refining.

Nova Minerals has completed engineering and design for its Estelle antimony pilot plant in Alaska, moving swiftly into procurement and construction with equipment en route to site.

ABx Group’s ALCORE subsidiary has begun civil construction at its Bell Bay pilot plant, advancing a novel process to produce hydrogen fluoride from aluminium smelter by-products, addressing Australia’s dependence on imports.

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has completed the detailed process flow sheet for a novel hydrometallurgical technology licensed from the University of Edinburgh to extract gold and copper from electronic waste. The low-temperature, reagent-recycling method aims to disrupt traditional smelting with environmental and cost benefits.

MRG Metals has lodged a key Mining Right Conversion Application in South Africa for its Garies Rare Earth Project, setting the stage for scalable mining development supported by strong metallurgical results and a modular processing approach.

Pursuit Minerals has expanded its Rio Grande Sur Lithium Project in Argentina by acquiring exclusive rights over 1,362 hectares adjacent to its Mito tenement, increasing the project area to over 10,595 hectares and enhancing its lithium brine resource potential.

ABx Group has made significant strides in its rare earths and clean fluorine chemical projects, receiving high-purity product validation and advancing pilot plant construction, while progressing bauxite mining approvals across multiple states.

Australian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: AR3) reported robust progress at its Koppamurra Rare Earths Project, delivering a high-purity Mixed Rare Earth Oxide pathway with near-complete rare earth recovery and improved heap leach performance. Concurrently, the company defined new uranium targets at Overland with drilling imminent, supported by a strengthened balance sheet following a $6 million placement and government grants.

Everest Metals Corporation is progressing rapidly with near-term gold production at its Mt Dimer Taipan and Revere Gold projects while simultaneously developing Australia’s first rubidium industry at Mt Edon. The company reports strong resource upgrades, ongoing mining, and promising pilot plant plans for critical minerals.