Latest Pilot Plant News

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.

Felix Gold's US subsidiary is in line for a substantial non-dilutive federal grant to advance its Treasure Creek antimony pilot processing facility, accelerating its plan for a domestic US supply chain.

BCI Minerals edges closer to first salt shipment at its Mardie Project, with crystallisation underway and 85% construction complete. The company maintains full funding and advances its sulphate of potash opportunity alongside robust sustainability initiatives.

BCI Minerals has contracted Bluestar Lehigh to build a 150 kg/hr sulphate of potash pilot plant at Mardie, aiming to de-risk commercial SOP production. Commissioning is set for early FY2028 with piloting to span about a year, funded within the existing $1.443 billion Mardie budget.

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.

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.

Andromeda Metals is targeting $3 million through a Share Purchase Plan to fund the next phase of its High Purity Alumina project, including pilot plant optimisation and a Pre-feasibility Study.

ABx Group secures environmental approvals consultancy for Sunrise Bauxite Project as Good Importing International invests A$2.7 million for a 70% stake. GII's option on NSW assets expires, leaving ABx with full control.

BlueScope Steel posted a remarkable 857% jump in reported NPAT to $802 million for FY2026, underpinned by strong US spreads, cost discipline, and growth in value-added steel products. The company declared record dividends and advanced key decarbonisation projects, signaling a confident transition from investment to shareholder returns.

Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX: BRE) has delivered a striking scoping study for its Rocha da Rocha Rare Earths Province in Brazil, anchored by the Monte Alto deposit’s world-class 11.3% TREO grade, projecting robust economics and a low-cost production path.

EAU Lithium, a subsidiary of Cosmos Exploration, has signed a strategic Master Services Agreement with VULTEC, the German technology arm of Vulcan Energy Resources, to advance lithium extraction projects in Bolivia using cutting-edge direct lithium extraction technology.