Latest Pilot Processing News

Rokeby Resources has defined a maiden 6,100-ounce Inferred JORC resource at the Maude tailings stockpile in Victoria, adding to a broader 17,497-ounce surface stockpile inventory. The opportunity is shallow and potentially low-capital, but the estimate still rests on historical data, assumed density and incomplete metallurgical evidence.

Felix Gold advanced bulk extraction, processing and refinery plans at its Alaska antimony project in FY26, but the push came with a larger loss, falling cash and an auditor-documented material uncertainty over going concern. A potential US$18 million Department of Energy award remains subject to negotiation rather than a committed funding source.

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.

Sky Metals has used FY2026 to move Tallebung from exploration toward development, combining more than 500 drill holes with strong ore-sorting results and progress into NSW’s environmental approval process. The advance came alongside a A$5.37 million loss and continuing reliance on equity funding.

Resonance Health has signed a 24-month alliance with London-based Image Analysis Group, making its quantitative MRI endpoints orderable across IAG’s global clinical-trial network. The opportunity is potentially significant, but remains uncontracted: two pilot studies come first, with no minimum revenue or volume commitments.

Australian Rare Earths has moved its Koppamurra pilot plant beyond heap leaching, recovering rare earths from about 5,000 litres of leach solution into a Mixed Rare Earth Hydroxide intermediate product. The result provides an early test of the downstream flowsheet, although commercial economics and final product quality remain unproven.

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.

Australian Rare Earths (ASX: AR3) has successfully commissioned and begun pilot-scale processing of 30 tonnes of ore at ANSTO’s Sydney facility, producing high-purity rare earth oxide samples to support commercialisation and a bankable feasibility study.

Australian Rare Earths (ASX: AR3) has delivered a standout Pre-Feasibility Study and maiden Ore Reserve for its Koppamurra project, underpinning a low-capital, high-return rare earths development. Meanwhile, pilot processing advances and a new niobium-REE discovery at Overland add momentum.

Nova Minerals has completed engineering and design for its Estelle antimony pilot plant in Alaska, moving swiftly into procurement and construction with equipment en route to site.

Locksley Resources has reported strong surface assay results from its Desert Antimony Mine in California, confirming continuity of high-grade antimony mineralisation and supporting ongoing drilling efforts.

EV Resources has successfully produced its first metallic antimony ingots from the Los Lirios project in Mexico, validating a low-cost smelting process and advancing its strategy to supply the North American market.