Latest Pilot Plant Operations News

Impact Minerals’ 50%-owned Alluminous has hit a key milestone by shipping its first batch of high purity alumina to U.S. battery innovator C4V, advancing pilot plant operations and product qualification.

Critica Limited has produced its first commercial-quality Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate from the Jupiter Rare Earth Project, marking a key milestone in advancing its development and processing pathway. The high-grade product validates scalable hydrometallurgical processing and supports the upcoming Scoping Study.

Australian Rare Earths Limited (ASX, AR3) reports breakthrough metallurgical testwork at its Koppamurra project, doubling heap leach irrigation rates and achieving around 70% recovery of key magnet rare earth elements. These advances promise faster production timelines and lower costs ahead of the Pre-Feasibility Study.

Meteoric Resources has successfully commissioned its Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate pilot plant in Brazil, achieving strong recovery rates and production outputs that validate its processing approach and de-risk the Caldeira project.

Castile Resources has raised A$8.4 million through a share placement to accelerate its Rover 1 project, aiming to complete a Bankable Feasibility Study by mid-2026 and begin new exploration drilling.

Australian Rare Earths Limited has raised approximately $6 million through a strategic share placement to advance its Koppamurra Rare Earths Project, underpinning its role in diversifying global rare earth supply chains.

Sparc Technologies has marked a significant milestone with sustained hydrogen production at its pioneering pilot plant and secured key patents, while also achieving its first commercial sale of graphene additives.

Felix Gold has transitioned from exploration to development with a metallurgical breakthrough producing military-grade antimony and is advancing pilot plant operations and government funding applications to meet US military demand.

Meteoric Resources has cleared a major regulatory hurdle with the approval of its Preliminary Environmental License for the Caldeira Rare Earths Project, enabling the company to progress towards construction and first production targeted for 2028. The company also commissioned its pilot plant, producing its first batches of rare earth carbonate.

Altech Batteries has reported a significant technical milestone with its Silumina Anodes™ technology achieving 88.5% capacity retention after 500 cycles, alongside a $6 million capital raise and a strategic board renewal focused on commercialisation.

Australian Rare Earths has demonstrated a low-risk, scalable process producing a high-purity mixed rare earth oxide with 99.9% recovery, positioning its Koppamurra project as a strategic supplier amid tightening global rare earth markets.

Impact Minerals’ associate Alluminous has teamed up with US battery innovator C4V to fast-track the commercialisation of its HiPurA® high purity alumina for advanced battery applications, marking a key step in its vertically integrated strategy.