Latest Rare Earths And Mineral Sands News

Osmond Resources’ preliminary study has put a US$2.31 billion post-tax NPV on its Spanish rare earths and mineral sands project, but the headline economics rest on a scoping-level model and a US$300 million funding requirement. The next test is whether drilling, metallurgy, permitting and financing can turn the attractive concept into a financeable mine.

Astron Limited (ASX:ATR) says its Donald rare earths and mineral sands project is construction-ready, with a $759 million Phase 1 pre-tax NPV and first production targeted for 2028. The unresolved question is whether debt financing can convert the project’s strong study economics into a final investment decision.

VHM's refreshed feasibility study projects an A$807 million pre-tax NPV for its Goschen rare earths and mineral sands project, with approvals and major procurement work substantially advanced. The project still needs financing, lender due diligence and a Final Investment Decision before construction can begin.

VHM has taken Goschen from a permitted project to a more financeable development, with Iluka committing to buy all planned rare earth concentrate and providing A$40 million in convertible note funding. The company remains pre-revenue, has not made a Final Investment Decision and will need further funding before construction can begin.

ACDC Metals is set to launch its maiden drilling campaign at the Mount Jackson Project in Nevada, targeting key gold-silver zones with a 2,500-metre reverse circulation program starting in Q4 2026. A geophysical survey will precede drilling to sharpen targets and reduce costs.

Cadoux Limited has made significant strides in its high purity alumina project, achieving EU SAFELOOP lithium-ion battery qualification, while expanding its footprint in Victoria's rare earth sector via a joint venture. The company also completed a $2.6 million capital raise, bolstering its cash position for upcoming development milestones.

Astron Limited is progressing a $220 million senior debt facility for its Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project, targeting a Final Investment Decision in Q3 2026. The company’s joint venture partner Energy Fuels Inc. is expanding its rare earth supply chain with a $1.9 billion acquisition, while a revised Phase 2 study boosts the project’s combined NPV to $2.3 billion.

Iluka Resources reported a rebound in zircon sales and prices in Q2 2026, while advancing its Eneabba rare earths refinery to nearly 60% completion and securing a key rare earths offtake deal.

RareX Limited and Iluka Resources have progressed to the Request for Proposal stage for the Mrima Hill Niobium and Rare Earths Project in Kenya, backed by a A$1.65 billion Australian Government loan for downstream refining.

VHM Limited has secured a binding rare earths offtake and a A$40 million convertible note from Iluka Resources, underpinning the Goschen Project's path to production by late 2027.

Cadoux has wrapped up its first drilling program at the Wimmera Mineral Sands project in Victoria, setting the stage for downstream rare earth processing with Minhub’s Darwin plant feasibility study progressing.

VHM Limited has locked in a binding offtake agreement covering 100% of rare earth concentrate from its Goschen Project and secured A$40 million in convertible note funding from Iluka Resources, advancing the project towards final investment decision.