Latest Pilot Plant Development News

Altamin has completed the core technical work for its Lazio geothermal brine Scoping Study, but auditors have flagged material uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ASX-listed developer ended FY2026 with A$2.39 million in cash after raising A$5.39 million during the year.

Zinc of Ireland’s ARGO hydrometallurgical process achieves near-complete recovery of silver, lead, and copper from zinc leach residues, fast-tracking pilot plant plans for early 2027.

MRG Metals has secured $725,000 through a placement and initiated a $750,000 Share Purchase Plan to accelerate development at its ultra high-grade Garies Rare Earth Project in South Africa and exploration in Mozambique.

American Rare Earths has partnered with Novex to tackle the critical oxide-to-metal bottleneck in the US rare earth supply chain, aiming to establish a fully domestic mine-to-magnet value chain from its Halleck Creek Project.

MRG Metals has secured $800,000 through a placement and board commitment to accelerate development at its ultra high-grade Garies Rare Earth Project in South Africa and advance exploration in Mozambique.

American Rare Earths has ramped up feasibility drilling and pilot plant development at its Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project, while bolstering leadership and progressing preparations for a NASDAQ listing.

Iondrive appoints ex-BHP innovation chief Dr Grant Caffery as CEO, signalling a pivot from development to commercial scale-up following strong rare earth recovery results and a US$15 million Oklahoma funding pathway.

BCI Minerals has reached 85% construction completion at its Mardie Salt Operation and Potash Project, with salt crystallisation commenced and 49,000 tonnes produced. The project remains fully funded and on budget, progressing towards first salt shipment in early 2027, weather permitting.

Zinc of Ireland (ASX: ZMI) has finalised its acquisition of Meclex, securing two hydrometallurgical technologies aimed at disrupting zinc and lead processing with low-emission methods. Backed by a fresh A$5.5 million placement, ZMI is accelerating pilot plant development and exploration at its Kildare project.

Cadoux Ltd has cleared a critical technical and commercial hurdle by qualifying its premiumHPA® high purity alumina for use in the EU-backed SAFELOOP electric vehicle battery project, opening doors to potential offtake deals and boosting its standing in the critical minerals market.

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has acquired exclusive global rights to a University of Edinburgh hydrometallurgical process that extracts gold and copper from electronic waste using recyclable organic compounds, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable precious metals recovery.

Firebird Metals has locked in exclusive global rights to key LMFP patents through 2045 and commissioned lithium-manganese-rich cathode equipment, progressing its Australian Demonstration Plant with a $2 million ARENA grant.