Latest Pilot Plant 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.

Victory Metals has achieved a major processing milestone at its North Stanmore Project, producing a 7.1% Total Rare Earth Oxide concentrate with 40% heavy rare earth oxides through continuous flotation at pilot scale.

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has completed the detailed process flow sheet for a novel hydrometallurgical technology licensed from the University of Edinburgh to extract gold and copper from electronic waste. The low-temperature, reagent-recycling method aims to disrupt traditional smelting with environmental and cost benefits.

Firebird Metals has placed all critical equipment orders for its Perth-based Australian Demonstration Plant, triggering the first ARENA grant payment and setting the stage for a pivotal 90-day fabrication phase. The project remains on track for early Q4 2026 equipment delivery, with imminent lithium manganese rich cathode results expected from its China pilot plant.

MRG Metals has lodged a key Mining Right Conversion Application in South Africa for its Garies Rare Earth Project, setting the stage for scalable mining development supported by strong metallurgical results and a modular processing approach.

Pursuit Minerals has expanded its Rio Grande Sur Lithium Project in Argentina by acquiring exclusive rights over 1,362 hectares adjacent to its Mito tenement, increasing the project area to over 10,595 hectares and enhancing its lithium brine resource potential.

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.

Meteoric Resources has reported exceptional pilot plant performance at its Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil, achieving magnet rare earth oxide recoveries of 80% in May and exceeding pre-feasibility study targets.

Ark Mines has produced high-grade monazite and titanium dioxide products from its Sandy Mitchell heavy mineral concentrate, marking a key step toward commercialising its North Queensland rare earths project.

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has demonstrated near-complete recovery of gold and copper from electronic waste using a novel, low-temperature hydrometallurgical process developed by the University of Edinburgh. This breakthrough supports its push into sustainable metal recycling and lithium supply chain projects.

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.