Latest Pilot Plant Operations News

Iron Bear Resources (ASX:IBR) has detailed progress on its Canadian Iron Bear Project, highlighting a robust scoping study, a major joint venture with Vale, and strategic advantages in a growing direct reduction pellet market.

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.

St George Mining’s initial beneficiation testwork at its Araxá Project in Brazil has delivered high-grade niobium concentrates and a promising rare earth concentrate, validating its dual commodity approach and underpinning next-stage pilot plant plans.

Elevate Uranium has boosted the Marenica Uranium Project's Mineral Resource by 31% to 52.8 million pounds of U3O8, building on a recent doubling of grade. Ongoing infill drilling and pilot plant processing underpin advancing feasibility studies.

Critica Limited has achieved a major leap in rare earth product quality at its Jupiter Project, producing a Mixed Rare Earth Oxide with approximately 97% Total Rare Earth Oxide and strong recovery rates that bolster its mine-to-magnet ambitions.

Besra Gold has received conditional renewal terms for its critical Bau Gold Project mining lease, marking progress amid ongoing tenure uncertainties and financial commitments.

Pursuit Minerals has kicked off fieldwork at its Sascha Marcelina gold-silver project in Argentina, confirming a significant mineralised system and preparing for a maiden drilling program.

Clean TeQ Water boosted its cash position and operational momentum in Q3 FY26, winning a A$10.4 million DESALX execution contract at Nyrstar Belgium, completing a uranium plant at Heathgate Resources, and advancing lithium and phosphate projects internationally.

Victory Metals has reported record rare earth oxide grades and exceptional metallurgical results at its North Stanmore project, alongside strategic partnerships and heritage clearances that unlock exploration potential.

Elevate Uranium Ltd pushes back its U-pgradeTM pilot plant results to August 2026 amid operational tweaks, while reporting a doubled resource grade at Marenica and a 76.2 Mlb uranium resource at Koppies.

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.

Meteoric Resources has locked in $40 million through a fully subscribed placement at market price, bolstering its cash reserves as it pushes the Caldeira Rare Earths Project towards a 2026 Final Investment Decision.