Latest Project Finance News

Critical Minerals Group has put a substantial economic case around its Lindfield vanadium project, but its FY26 accounts also flag a material uncertainty over funding. The company is targeting a 2027 investment decision while holding less than A$1 million in year-end cash and navigating a leadership change.

Finder Energy has shifted decisively from exploration towards development, with its Timor-Leste oil project backed by independent reserves, an acquired FPSO and expanded TIMOR GAP funding. The transition came at a steep cost, however, with a $30.0 million annual loss and Final Investment Decision still ahead.

Santana Minerals has moved Bendigo-Ophir from study toward construction, securing a 30-year mining permit, strategic land control and A$188.3 million in cash. The decisive hurdle remains the Fast-track consent due on 20 January 2027, followed by financing and a final investment decision.

Li-S Energy has narrowed its FY26 loss and reached several commercialisation milestones, including a 2C Power Cell, international shipping approvals and its first lithium foil sale. But the ASX battery developer still needs customer offtake and fresh funding before its proposed 1 GWh manufacturing expansion can become reality.

Lake Resources has secured the primary provincial environmental permit for its Kachi lithium project in Argentina, clearing the way for detailed engineering and financing work. The approval removes a major development hurdle, but FEED, funding, RIGI approval and a final investment decision remain ahead.

Tungsten Mining says non-binding debt proposals could fund up to 70% of its Watershed project, equivalent to about A$200 million against estimated pre-production capital of A$274 million. The financing remains uncommitted, with strategic investment, offtake and government-backed options still in play.

Deterra Royalties has paid US$74.15 million for a royalty covering most of Ivanhoe Electric’s Santa Cruz copper project in Arizona. The deal adds a third core asset, but its projected returns still depend on financing, permitting and a targeted 2029 production start.

Element 25 has moved its Butcherbird manganese expansion from feasibility into project delivery, targeting mechanical completion and commissioning in the first quarter of calendar 2027. The company also strengthened funding and commercial support, although construction, financing conditions and the absence of FY2026 revenue leave execution as the central test.

Astral Resources has agreed to pay WIN Metals $9.05 million plus GST for tenure and mineral rights critical to its Mandilla Gold Project. The deal is designed to simplify permitting and financing, but completion and the transfer of one key mining lease remain outstanding.

Ardea Resources enters FY2027 with its flagship Goongarrie Hub still short of a completed definitive feasibility study, even as Japanese partners and governments deepen their support. The company reported a A$24.6 million consolidated loss, while future funding arrangements beyond the current DFS program remain unresolved.

Evion Group has moved its flagship Maniry graphite project into the development stage and secured a binding German offtake terms sheet, but its FY2026 accounts carry a material going concern warning. The company also faces an unpaid A$730,000 placement shortfall as it funds graphite, fluorspar and downstream expansion plans.

Torque Metals enters FY2027 with a 351,000-ounce Ritz Gold Project resource, $13.6 million in cash and an exceptional post-year-end HHH intercept. But the annual report also carries an auditor-highlighted material uncertainty over going concern, with further funding potentially required to sustain exploration.