Latest Pilot Plant Operations News

Zinc Mines Ireland (ASX: ZMI) has acquired Dutch metals tech firm Meclex, integrating its proprietary low-temperature hydrometallurgical processes into ZMI’s Kildare zinc project. The move aims to unlock critical mineral value and reduce environmental impact in European zinc and battery recycling markets.

Critica Limited has achieved a significant breakthrough at its Jupiter Rare Earth Project, lifting magnet rare earth recovery to approximately 81% and total rare earth oxide recovery to around 71% through pilot plant optimisation. This advance strengthens the foundation for its ongoing scoping study and downstream processing plans.

Elevate Uranium Ltd has reinforced its U-pgrade™ Pilot Plant operations in Namibia with new management and process improvements, while revising its timeline for pilot plant results to August 2026. The company confirms previous bench-scale testwork remains valid despite the delay.

Alliance Nickel Limited (ASX:AXN) has launched a non-renounceable entitlement offer to raise approximately A$4.15 million, aiming to fund capital cost optimisation for its NiWest Nickel-Cobalt Project and support general working capital.

Impact Minerals has raised A$2 million through a strategic placement to advance its High Purity Alumina project and explore new industrial minerals opportunities in Western Australia.

Meteoric Resources hosted Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema at its Caldeira Rare Earth Project pilot plant, highlighting continuous production success and strong government backing for the project’s expansion.

Argosy Minerals reports strong progress on its 12,000 tonnes per annum Rincon Lithium Project in Argentina, achieving 96% lithium recovery in test work and advancing critical energy infrastructure with a 40MW power supply line.

Argosy Minerals reports a 96% lithium recovery from test works at its Rincon Lithium Project and progresses critical energy infrastructure, moving closer to a final investment decision.

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.