Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) is moving to secure downstream processing capability after signing a binding term sheet to take a controlling stake in an operating mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) facility in Kazakhstan — an asset the company says could support commercial MREC production by Q4 2026.
The proposed structure would see an incorporated joint venture (JV) formed between Lindian (51%) and local partner RA Group (49%), which would then acquire 100% of the SARECO hydrometallurgical plant in Stepnogorsk. The facility has a prior operating history, having previously been run under a Sumitomo Corporation and Kazatomprom joint venture.
NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT, OTCQB:NSRCF), the Toronto-listed graphite miner, has signed a binding supply agreement with Syrah Resources, the Australian graphite producer, to provide feedstock for its planned battery anode facility in Abu Dhabi.
Under the deal, NextSource will source between 34,000 and 68,000 tonnes of natural graphite fines from Syrah over seven years, with annual volumes subject to conditions including the commencement of commercial production at the Abu Dhabi plant and approval of Syrah's material by NextSource's downstream customers.
The AI trade has entered a new phase — and it’s not just about chips, models and eye-watering funding rounds. It’s about headcount.
Last week, Block Inc (NYSE:SQ) stunned markets by announcing it would cut more than 4,000 roles — reducing its workforce by over 40% — as it restructures around what CEO Jack Dorsey calls an “intelligence-native” operating model. The fintech group behind Square and Afterpay is shrinking from more than 10,000 employees to just under 6,000, arguing that a smaller team armed with AI tools can move faster and build more efficiently.
Oil prices surged on Monday after unprecedented joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran sharply escalated tensions across the Middle East, raising concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supply.
The coordinated attacks late Friday targeted senior Iranian military and political leadership. Iranian state media confirmed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed along with other senior officials. Tehran has since retaliated with missile strikes on US-linked sites and across Israel, while airspace closures and shipping disruptions have spread across the Gulf.
Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX:MFG) has agreed to merge with Barrenjoey Capital Partners in a transaction valuing Barrenjoey at $1.6 billion, with Magellan set to acquire the remaining stock it does not already own by issuing 106,838,520 new shares.
The deal implies total consideration of $903 million for the stake to be acquired at completion and a transaction multiple of 15 times price-to-earnings, based on Barrenjoey’s last 12-month adjusted net profit of $108 million on revenue of $522 million.
Investigator Silver Ltd (ASX:IVR) has declared a maiden ore reserve and confirmed strong economics for its 100%-owned Paris Silver Project in South Australia, following completion of a definitive feasibility study (DFS).
The DFS outlines an 11-year open-pit silver operation producing silver doré via a conventional crush–grind–leach and Merrill–Crowe recovery circuit, positioning Paris as a finance-ready development.
Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX:SYR) has signed a binding, conditional offtake agreement with NextSource Materials to supply natural graphite fines from its Balama operation in Mozambique.
The 7-year agreement, starting no earlier than June 1, covers aggregate volumes of about 34,000 to 68,000 tonnes. Pricing will be set quarterly at a premium to an independent graphite fines index, with adjustments for product grade and shipping.
Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML, OTCQB:RLMLF, FRA:NC3) has completed its acquisition of the Johnson Creek Tungsten & Antimony Mill, associated infrastructure and 2,000 tonnes of historic tungsten ore stockpiles adjacent to its Horse Heaven Project in Idaho, marking a significant step towards potential US-based critical minerals production.
The deal secures the processing mill site, industrial water rights and electrical infrastructure, as well as workshop, storage and accommodation facilities across about 25 acres of private land. The stockpiles were mined from the former Golden Gate Tungsten Mine and are located at the mill site.
Red Mountain Mining Ltd (ASX:RMX)'s Thompson Falls Antimony Project has delivered further high-grade antimony and associated gold results from the historical Eastern Star mine area, reinforcing the prospectivity of the project on the Montana–Idaho border.
Rock chip sampling has returned average grades of 8.7% antimony and 0.37 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, with peak assays of up to 36.5% Sb and 1.12g/t Au.
Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA, OTC:NVAAF, FRA:QM3) has identified a large-scale gold-copper anomaly measuring about 1.5 kilometres by 800 metres at its West Wing prospect within the flagship Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project in Alaska.
The anomaly was delineated through rock and soil sampling completed during the 2025 field season and represents one of the most significant surface geochemical targets generated across the broader Estelle district to date.
Vinyl Group Ltd (ASX:VNL, OTC:JAXAF) is set to expand its publishing arm after striking a binding deal to acquire the assets of Val Morgan Digital from HOYTS subsidiary Val Morgan and Co. for $10.5 million.
Val Morgan Digital sits within Val Morgan alongside Val Morgan Cinema and VMO, providing a suite of digital-led advertising solutions. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Fandom, POPSUGAR, BuzzFeed, Tasty, Vox Media and LADbible Group, collectively reaching millions of Australians each month.