Latest Pilot Plant Operation News

ABx Group says manufacture of the major equipment for its ALCORE hydrogen fluoride pilot plant is substantially complete, while electrical and civil works continue at Bell Bay in Tasmania. EPA Tasmania has accepted the project’s Environmental Effects Report for final assessment, but planning approval and commissioning remain ahead.

Andromeda Metals has successfully produced 4N High Purity Alumina (HPA) with 99.9986% purity at continuous pilot scale, marking a crucial step towards commercialisation and customer evaluation under a strategic supply agreement with Traxys.

Zinc of Ireland (ASX: ZMI) has fast-tracked its ARGO technology development to recover germanium, gallium, and indium, targeting early 2027 for pilot plant operations. The move aligns with EU regulatory demands for critical minerals and aims to reduce waste and emissions in zinc smelting.

Victory Metals (ASX: VTM) has delivered a robust Pre-Feasibility Study for its North Stanmore rare earth project, confirming a 47 Mt Probable Ore Reserve and strong economics underpinned by low capital intensity and a high-grade mineral resource.

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.

Impact Minerals pushes its Lake Hope High Purity Alumina project into pilot production while its JV partner Kuniko hits mineralisation in every hole at Commonwealth, discovering new high-grade extensions.

Sparc Technologies has secured commercial traction for its graphene additive ecosparc® with major coatings players AkzoNobel and Petro Vietnam Paint, launched a new additive range for electrostatic coatings, and marked six months of continuous operation at its green hydrogen pilot plant.

Meteoric Resources has completed a Definitive Feasibility Study for its Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil, revealing a large, high-grade ionic clay deposit with a 20-plus year mine life and strong financial metrics.

Argosy Minerals is progressing its 12,000tpa Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina with robust feasibility testwork validating its process flowsheet and securing a 40MW power supply, underpinning its upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study.

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.

Critica Limited’s recent drilling at its Jupiter Rare Earth Project has validated broad, near-surface high-grade zones, underpinning an imminent resource upgrade and advancing its scoping study.

Meteoric Resources has surged its Measured Resources by 246% to 128 million tonnes at its Caldeira Rare Earth Element Project in Brazil, significantly de-risking the upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study and underpinning future development plans.