
July 14, 2024
Queensland Pacific Metals Limited (ASX:QPM) (“QPM” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the receipt of an $8m grant from the Queensland State Government.
Highlights
- Queensland Government will make available up to $8m in the form of a grant to prepare the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (“TECH Project”) for investment readiness.
- The Queensland Government grant is in addition to the recently announced $8m grant received from the Australian Federal Government under the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program.
- Upon execution of the respective grant agreements, QPM will commence to ramp up activities for the TECH Project to advance it to stage where it is ready for a Final Investment Decision.
- The combination of the two grants represents significant and non-dilutive funding for the TECH Project. In light of this, the QPM Board has resolved to formally commence evaluation of a demerger of the TECH Project from the QPM Energy business (“Demerger”).
- The Board believes that QPM has two high quality projects that are currently undervalued in the existing corporate structure. A Demerger would allow both QPM Energy and the TECH Project to grow more efficiently and maximise value for shareholders.
Grant Funding
QPM refers to Media Statement published by the Honourable Scott Stewart, Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals on Friday 12th July 1. QPM has worked with the Queensland Government, which has previously declared the TECH project a Prescribed Project and a Significant Investment Project. As a result of this collaboration with the Queensland Government, the Hon. Scott Stewart announced that the Queensland Government will make available up to $8m in the form of a grant to prepare the TECH Project for investment readiness. This is in addition to the $8m grant recently awarded to the TECH Project under the Australian Federal Government International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program (refer to ASX announcement 11 July). The Queensland Government grant also satisfies the matched funding condition required under the Federal Government grant.
QPM will now work with Queensland Treasury to finalise an agreement for the delivery of the grant and will provide more information to shareholders when it is available.
TECH Project Activities
Over the past few years, QPM has made great strides in advancing the project to a stage where it is ready for a Final Investment Decision. The two grants represent a total of $16m of non-dilutive funding which will facilitate QPM’s ability resume technical workstreams for the TECH Project without impacting the QPM Energy business and QPM’s group financial position.
Upon execution of the respective grant agreements, QPM will commence to ramp up activities on the TECH Project. This will put the TECH Project in a strong competitive position compared with other development stage nickel projects which have largely been halted. The grants will advance the TECH Project towards investment readiness, ready to capitalise on any positive sentiment change in the nickel market.
QPM Director Dr Stephen Grocott commented,
“Government support is essential for advanced manufacturing projects like TECH to be competitive on the global stage. We believe in the merits of the TECH Project with its gold standard sustainability credentials and world class partners. I would like to personally thank both the State and Federal Governments for their ongoing support, particularly at a time where it is most needed for critical minerals.”
This article includes content from Queensland Pacific Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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28 June 2023
Element 25 Signs US$85M Supply Deal with GM for Manganese Sulphate
Element 25 (ASX:E25) has signed a deal with General Motors (NYSE:GM) to supply the car manufacturer 32,500 tonnes of manganese sulphate annually, according to a news report by Reuters.
The news follows GM’s announcement to take an equity stake in Queensland Pacific Metals (ASX:QPM) for a new source of nickel and cobalt for battery cells, in a move to secure the car maker’s supply of battery minerals for its North American electric vehicle production, the report said. This is also Element 25’s second major supply agreement after a deal with global mobility provider Stellantis was sealed earlier this year.
The GM deal will provide Element 25 with US$85 million to fund its Louisiana battery-grade high-purity manganese sulfate (HPMSM) facility, which is scheduled to open in 2025.
To read the full article, click here.
Click here to connect with Element 25 (ASX:E25) for an Investor Presentation.
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10 April
Independent Estimate Confirms Multibillion Barrel Prospective Resources
Condor Energy Limited (ASX: CND) (Condor or the Company) is pleased to announce the results of an independent prospective resource assessment conducted by international resource consultancy Netherland Sewell & Associates Inc. (NSAI) across five selected prospects in the Company’s Tumbes Basin Technical Evaluation Area LXXXVI (TEA or Block) offshore northern Peru.
Highlights
- New independent estimate confirms multibillion barrel prospective resource across five prospects in Tumbes TEA
- Total Best Estimate (2U) of 3 billion barrels of oil prospective resources1 (100% gross unrisked) across Bonito, Raya, Salmon, Caballa and Tiburon prospects
- The largest prospect, Bonito, has a Best Estimate (2U) of 1 billion barrels of oil prospective resource1 (100% gross unrisked)
- Majority of the resources are contained within Lower Miocene Zorritos Formation, a proven reservoir within the basin
- Resource potential determined by leading international petroleum consultancy Netherland Sewell and Associates (NSAI)
- World class multibillion barrel exploration potential builds on Condor’s substantial discovered gas field at Piedra Redonda (1 Tcf 2C)2
- Farmout process commenced with multiple parties in data room
- Shareholder briefing to be held Thursday 10 April, to detail resource estimate update
The NSAI evaluation confirms multibillion barrel potential, with a combined best estimate gross unrisked 2U prospective resource of 3 billion barrels of oil (2.4 billion barrels net to Condor) across the Bonito, Raya, Salmon, Caballa and Tiburon prospect areas (Table 1).
Figure 1 – Independent estimate of prospective resources across five prospects shown in purple, Raya, Salmon, Bonito, Caballa and Tiburon.
Table 1 – Statistically Aggregated Prospective Resource Estimates (Unrisked) at each of the 5 prospect areas Low (P90), Mid (P50), High (P10).
Prospective resources shown are aggregated by prospect area (Table 1). The geological chance of success (GCoS) has been assessed for the primary target reservoir within each prospect. Each prospect contains multiple stacked reservoir intervals, which may increase the effective chance of success due to multiple opportunities within a single structure.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Condor Energy, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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09 April
Optimised Root Lithium Project PEA Highlights Robust Economics
Following the release of the December 2023 PEA1 , and in response to lithium market dynamics, the Root Lithium Project has now been optimised within a new PEA which has strengthened the project economics.
Green Technology Metals Limited (ASX: GT1) (GT1 or the Company), a Canadian-focused multi-asset lithium business, is pleased to announce the completion of its optimised Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the standalone Root Lithium Project. The updated PEA outlines a robust development pathway for the Root Project, featuring a combination of open pit mine and underground mining methods. The processing flowsheet features a hybrid Dense Media Separation (DMS) and Flotation concentrator designed to produce 5.5% Spodumene Concentrate.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Root Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada has been evaluated on a standalone basis and considering the recently updated Root Project MRE, revised pit optimisations and mine development options and changed lithium market conditions (previous 2023 PEA results were combined with the Company’s Seymour Lithium Project also in Ontario)
- The study confirms favourable economics across alternative mine development scenarios, including both open pit and underground mining, reinforcing Root as a viable and resilient standalone project
- The selected development option for the Root Lithium Project delivers:
- An increase in NPV to US$668 million
- A reduction in pre-production CAPEX, largely due to lower pre-stripping costs
- Reduction in Total Material Movement (TMM)
- Lower NPV and longer payback period due to more conservative SC5.5 pricing assumptions in early processing years
- Significantly improved LOM strip ratio of 8.1:1, driven by underground development—resulting in lower mining costs that help offset reduced revenues
PROJECT DASHBOARD
- The Root Lithium Project underpins GT1’s vertically integrated development strategy and is expected to provide long-term feed to the Company’s planned Lithium Conversion facility in Thunder Bay
- The immediate focus for the Root project will be advancing permitting and consultation activities in parallel with the Pre-Feasibility Study( PFS)
"The completion of the optimised PEA marks a major milestone for the Root Lithium Project, confirming it as a technically and economically robust standalone operation. With a longer mine life, reduced upfront capital requirements, and strong economics, Root is well-positioned to support GT1’s broader strategy of establishing a vertically integrated lithium supply chain in Ontario. This study reinforces our confidence in Root as a long-term feed source for the Thunder Bay conversion facility and highlights the project’s strategic importance in the North American battery materials landscape.
The economic advantages of executing a project in Ontario are obvious and compelling, driven by outstanding infrastructure, government incentives and proximity to the North American EV supply chain. We remain committed to advancing our Root Lithium Project to realise our overall strategy in Ontario.”
-GT1 Managing Director, Cameron Henry
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Green Technology Metals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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09 April
Bayan Secures Transformative Patents in Solar Cell Recycling Technology
Bayan Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX: BMM; "BMM" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to exclusively licence IP from Macquarie University for its Solar Cell Recycling Technology. A summary of the material terms of the agreement are set out in Schedule 1. This agreement is a key milestone in Bayan’s strategic growth, enabling the Company to take advantage of a major economic opportunity in the critical mineral recycling/recovery market.
Highlights
- Bayan has secured an exclusive license from Macquarie University for “Microwave Joule Heating Technology” a microwave-based solar panel recycling technology, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable energy technology solutions.
- The Company intends to commence further research and development to assess the ability to potentially recover valuable metals such as Silver, Silicon, Gallium and Indium.
- The basis of the technology platform utilises microwave technology to soften the EVA encapsulant in solar panels, enabling easy delamination and potential recovery of valuable materials at room temperature. This approach avoids the need for extreme heat (1400°C) typically required for separating materials like glass and silicon as well as the use of costly hazardous chemicals in traditional processes.
- Delamination enables selective separation of materials without the need for mechanical crushing, whereas traditional crushing methods often result in crosscontaminated material and lower recovery rates.
- The breakthrough technology presents a potential novel pathway for improved recovery of materials such as silver and silicon from solar panels, critical materials underpinning solar and semiconductor technologies.
- By 2035, Australia is expected to accumulate 1 million tonnes of solar panel waste worth over A$1 billion1, while the global CIGS (Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide) solar cell market is projected to grow to US$12.23 billion by 20322.
The Technology from Macquarie University
The team from the School of Engineering at Macquarie University, led by Dr Binesh Puthen Veettil, have developed a new microwave technology that will solve the challenge of electronic waste from end-of-life solar panels. Currently, the recycling process is technically challenging with only an estimated 15% of solar panels making it to a recycling facility3, and the remainder going straight to landfill once they have reached their 20–25-year end of life span. In the rare instance they are recycled, the solar panels, in the traditional method, are crushed and heated at approximately 1400°C before being washed in harsh chemicals to remove the plastics.
Dr Binesh Puthen Veettil’s research in collaboration with the School of Photovoltaics at UNSW, the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics and further supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency highlights the immense need and impact this technology will bring.
In this new method, the microwave energy is used to selectively heat the materials within a solar panel. In this process, the silicon cells and other microwave-absorbing components rapidly heat up, while surrounding materials remain relatively cool. This targeted heating causes the plastic encapsulant, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which holds the panel layers together to soften and degrade.
Figure 1 – A visual representation illustrating how microwave radiation selectively targets the plastic encapsulant (EVA) in solar panels, softening it to enable the delamination of solar cells while leaving other materials largely unaffected
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Bayan Mining and Minerals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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07 April
Tariff Shock: Trillions Wiped Out as Trade War Fears Spark Selloff
Global markets continued to register heavy losses on Monday (April 7) as tariff-triggered trade tensions increased and investors reacted to hawkish signals from the US Federal Reserve.
The mass market selloff has erased trillions in market value worldwide, with no major region spared.
The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) fell 2.3 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) dropped 2.8 percent as tech stocks bore the brunt of the selloff, shedding an estimated US$9.5 trillion in value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) was down 900 points by midday, wiping out roughly US$900 billion in market capitalization.
Retaliatory tariffs and resource export limitations out of China have rattled investors, as have comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell that there may be fewer interest rate cuts in 2025.
Before American markets opened on Monday, Asian markets offered a precursor for the day’s activity, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 (INDEXNIKKEI:NI225) plunging 3.1 percent, its worst day in months. Other Asian markets also registered declines as geopolitical tensions and lingering concerns over China’s property sector crisis continued.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) ended the day 4.2 percent lower amid the market rout, erasing approximately AU$1.2 billion. The day’s performance was the worst showing for the ASX 200 since May 2020. Mining stocks faced the added pressure of a weakening iron ore prices. The Australian dollar also fell to a five year low, trading below US$0.60.
Last week, Australia decided not to levy retaliatory tariffs against the US. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denounced the 10 percent tariff on Australian exports saying it was not the “act of a friend.”
Canada’s two main indexes also experienced notable declines, reflecting the broader global market meltdown.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) fell 234.06 points (1.01 percent) at the open, reaching 22,959.41. Similarly, the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) sank by 460 points, mirroring losses in other major indexes.
Markets brace for further impact
The combined losses across major markets pushed the Nasdaq Composite into bear market territory on Friday (April 4) after the index registered a 20 percent decline.
Concerns that S&P 500 would follow suit mounted on Monday.
CNBC’s Jim Cramer likened the market selloff to “Black Monday,” noting the similarities to the 1987 market crash.
Analysts warn that further volatility is likely if inflation data due later this week exceeds expectations.
Even safe-haven asset gold felt the pressure as it fell below US$3,000 an ounce for the first time since mid-March.
The high-pitched market uncertainty highlights the far-reaching consequences of the sweeping new tariffs and China's swift retaliation, which together have reignited fears of a global trade war.
With a 10 percent baseline duty on all imports as well as double-digit targeted tariffs, investors are recalibrating their strategies in real time, pulling back from risk and pivoting toward safe-haven assets.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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07 April
WA Gold Targets at Mystique
Mystique Project, Fraser Range, WA
West Cobar Metals Limited (ASX:WC1) (“West Cobar”, “WC1” or “Company”) has previously announced3 the conditional 100% acquisition of an exploration licence E28/2513 in the Fraser Range Province of Western Australia, highly prospective for orogenic gold deposits.
Highlights
- Progress towards completion of recent agreement for acquisition of IGO Limited’s 100% interest in tenement E28/2513 (“Mystique Project”)
- Highly prospective for gold in the Fraser Range, Western Australia, with exciting targets emerging
- Exceptional gold intercepts at the nearby Themis Prospect (250m outside of, and north of, the Mystique Project boundary), reported by Rumble Resources Limited, includes intersections of:
- 18AFAC307711 - 25m @ 2.42g/t Au from 42m, including 5m @ 10.85g/t Au from 49m
- 20AFAC113212 - 16m @ 6.69g/t Au from 42m, including 4m @ 22.2g/t Au from 50m
- Immediate targets at Mystique, supported by widespread drill intersected gold anomalism in transported cover and saprolite, are:
- to drill test the saprolite gold mineralisation
- to drill test and define significant gold mineralisation targets in the basement rocks
- Exploration drill programme now planned to follow up key targets on the Mystique Project
- Further acquisition of 70% joint venture interest from IGO Limited in three adjoining tenements (E28/2528, E28/2529 and E28/2595, “Thunderstorm Project”) will not proceed after notification that joint venture partner Rumble Resources Limited will pre-empt the acquisition
Exploration licence E28/2513, known as the Mystique Project covers 35km2 within the Albany-Fraser Province and is located approximately 225km SSE of Kalgoorlie.
While exploring the adjoining tenements for nickel-copper mineralisation, the IGO Limited / Rumble Resources Limited joint venture encountered outstanding gold intercepts in saprolite and bedrock, in particular at the Themis prospect, just outside of, and north of, the E28/2513 tenement boundary.1,2
West Cobar Metals’ Managing Director, Matt Szwedzicki, commented: “We are excited to progress the acquisition of the Mystique Project, which is highly prospective for gold.
The tenement comprises a key land area with exceptional and immediate potential for both shallow saprolite hosted and large-scale basement hosted gold deposits. We have identified two high priority targets which warrant immediate attention.
Themis South, on E28/2513, has the potential of being a large mineralised system, with thick, high-grade gold zones intercepted just outside the tenement boundary.
In addition, the Torquata prospect is a very large calcrete gold anomaly which contains a number of areas that require testing.
We look forward to completing this acquisition and to begin exploring.”
Figure 1: Location of Mystique Project and West Cobar’s Salazar Project in the Fraser Range
Exploration to Date
The Mystique Project remains relatively unexplored as most of the area is covered by 30m or more of transported Eocene sediments and there is little surface expression of geology or mineralisation.
Exploration work by IGO included gravity surveying, MLEM (Moving Loop EM – ground survey along lines 400m apart) and air core drilling (nine holes for 630m). Prior to IGO’s involvement, the licence area E28/2513 had been explored for mineral sands and for gold, notably by Iluka Resources Ltd, Homestake Gold of Australia Ltd, SIPA Resources NL and Blackfire Resources Ltd who drilled 165 air core, seven RC and three diamond holes. The result is a data set which includes geophysics and a drill database, that enables West Cobar to concentrate initially on well-defined high priority gold prospects. The historical exploration covering EL28/2513 has been reported previously in the West Cobar release to the ASX of 5 March 2025.3
Figure 2: Themis South and Torquata Prospects – possible extension of gold mineralisation intersected in air core drilling, just to north of tenement boundary along structural corridor interpreted from aeromagnetics (intersections outside of E28/2513, see references 1 and 2)
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from West Cobar Metals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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03 April
Tariffs and Trade Wars: CEO Panel Discusses Impact of US Tariffs on Mining Sector
The CEOs of three Canadian junior mining companies share their insights on how US-led tariffs are impacting investor confidence in the critical and precious metals sectors.
They also discuss how their companies are adapting to these unprecedented challenges and opportunities.
This special panel edition of CEO Insights features: Rana Vig, CEO of Blue Lagoon Resources (CSE:BLLG,OTCQB:BLAGF), Robin Goad, president and CEO of Fortune Minerals (TSX:FT,OTCQB:FTMDF), and Killian Charles, president and CEO of Brunswick Exploration (TSXV:BRW,OTCQB:BRWXF).
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