Latest Pilot Plants News

Alliance Nickel has approved a second phase of vat leach testing after preliminary NiWest results supported continued evaluation of the alternative processing route. The potential prize is substantial, but quantified recoveries and capital savings remain unproven.

ABx Group has lodged a prospectus for a fully underwritten $2 million share purchase plan, forming part of a broader $4.1 million capital raising for its Deep Leads rare earths project and ALCORE pilot plant. The offer gives eligible shareholders discounted shares and options, but leaves the final price unknown until after applications close and remains subject to shareholder approval.

Victory Metals has set out a 20-year development case for North Stanmore, backed by a 47 million tonne Probable Ore Reserve and a pre-tax NPV8 of A$1.76 billion. The project remains pre-feasibility stage, while the company ended FY2026 with A$11.18 million in cash and no operating revenue.

Australian Rare Earths has converted Koppamurra from an exploration story into a defined rare earths development case, with an A$858 million after-tax PFS NPV and a maiden Ore Reserve. The next test is less geological than financial: the company must fund the path from pilot processing to construction while carrying a material going-concern warning.

Critica Limited (ASX:CRI) has delivered stronger technical results across its Jupiter rare earths and Mt Lindsay tin-tungsten projects, but the developer remains dependent on further funding. Two scoping studies targeted for Q3 2026 now carry the burden of translating resource potential and laboratory results into project economics.

Firebird Metals has prepared the first manganese feedstock for its Australian Demonstration Plant, marking a practical step towards testing its integrated pathway from Western Australian ore to battery materials. Equipment remains scheduled to arrive in October, with commissioning targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Castile Resources has emerged from FY2026 with a larger Rover 1 resource, stronger preliminary project economics and A$9.37 million in cash. The next challenge is converting a A$1.07 billion pre-tax NPV8 study into a funded, permitted mining project.

Pursuit Minerals has started its first diamond hole at the Demasía tenement, testing whether lithium-bearing brines extend beyond the existing 1.264 million tonne LCE resource at Rio Grande Sur. Early packer tests recovered brine at shallow depths, but lithium assays are still pending.

Impact Minerals has completed its renounceable rights issue, raising $2.205 million before costs to fund work on its Lake Hope and Alluminous high-purity alumina projects. The raise also brings a substantial new pool of quoted options, while leaving room for further shortfall placements.

ABx Group has locked in approximately $4.1 million through a placement and fully underwritten share purchase plan, with strategic partner Good Importing International committing $1 million. The funding will support the Deep Leads rare earths project and construction and commissioning of the ALCORE pilot plant, but comes with substantial new equity and options.

Pursuit Minerals has secured environmental approvals to relocate its pilot plant to Rio Grande Sur and drill a new 500-metre hole at Demasía. The company has also applied to build commercial-scale evaporation ponds for its planned 5,000-tonne-per-year operation, although that approval remains outstanding.

ABx Group and its ALCORE subsidiary have received nearly $600,000 in R&D tax offsets, while ALCORE has completed repayment of $2.61 million in unused government grant funds. The company is now awaiting a decision on a separate Industry Growth Program application worth up to $5 million.