The Conversation (0)
April 28, 2025
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) (Impact or Company) is pleased to announce that it will acquire a 50% interest in Alluminous Pty Ltd (Alluminous), becoming its largest shareholder. Alluminous is a newly formed company that has successfully acquired 100% of HiPurA Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (HiPurA). HiPurA owns the HiPurA® High Purity Alumina (HPA) processing technology which was previously developed and wholly owned by ChemX Materials Limited (Administrators Appointed) (ChemX). Both ChemX and HiPurA separately entered voluntary administration on 2 January 2025 (ASX Release 4 April 2025).
The acquisition provides a number of strategic and tactical benefits, including:
- Potential to accelerate Impact’s entry into the HPA market by up to two years, providing a significant time and cost advantage compared to the current projected timeline.
- HiPurA® is complementary to the Lake Hope Project, which remains central to Impact’s strategy. Financial modelling and report writing for the pre-feasibility study (PFS) are well advanced.
- Immediate access to the HiPurA® HPA process, which has demonstrated >99.99% (4N) purity and is designed to be scalable.
- A pilot plant that is largely constructed and nearing commissioning, with modest additional capital expenditure required to commence production and generate product samples.
- Ownership of a fully equipped HPA laboratory and micro-plant eliminates the need for third-party testing, and enables faster customer qualification and process optimisation.
- Potential integration of the Lake Hope resource into HiPurA® via back-engineering, while unlocking a new pathway using chemical feedstocks. This allows both commercial options to be pursued to reach a streamlined path to market.
- Supports strategic alignment with Impact’s CRC-P research grant, allowing integration of membrane technologies and strengthening government funding prospects.
- Involvement of the original HiPurA® inventors, which together with Impact’s own HPA capabilities, ensures technical continuity, deep expertise, and innovation-led process improvements.
- Partnership with experienced North American investors may provide exposure to additional funding opportunities and global customer networks in high-growth HPA markets including batteries, semiconductors, and LEDs.
- The total acquisition cost of $2.2 million will be shared equally by Impact and the other shareholders of Alluminous. Impact's share is $1.1 million. This structure is expected to lower Impact’s financial exposure and share technical and financial responsibilities.
The remaining 50% of Alluminous will be owned by the two founders and inventors of the HiPurA® technology, together with North American venture capital investors with experience in the resource sector. This ownership structure is expected to support the development of the HiPurA® HPA process's development by retaining its original developers' involvement and may facilitate access to North American capital markets.
Alluminous's next steps will be to demonstrate the HiPurA® technology at pilot plant scale, followed by expansion to commercial-scale production in North America. There is also potential for Alluminous to pursue a listing on a North American securities exchange within the next 12 to 24 months.
Impact's Managing Director, Dr. Mike Jones, said, “This acquisition represents a rare and strategic opportunity for Impact. ChemX ultimately failed due to financial issues rather than any technical shortcomings. Our due diligence identified a robust, well-designed technology and business plan. The HiPurA® process demonstrated innovation, scalability, and the proven ability to produce 4N HPA at the micro-plant scale. The associated pilot plant, which is capable of producing at least 25 tonnes of HPA per year, is nearing commissioning. This has the potential to accelerate the time to commercialisation materially.
The acquisition process was highly competitive and provides us with a second avenue to progress our HPA strategy. HiPurA may serve as a complementary addition to our Lake Hope Project, with plans to explore integration through back-engineering. HiPurA® technology also provides alternative development possibilities, with potential advantages including faster time to market, multiple feedstock options, and a highly scalable production model. Based on our current assessments, the time savings could be as much as two years, which may be worth millions of dollars.
Our partnership within Alluminous brings together a rare combination of deep technical and financial expertise. The original inventors of HiPurA® will remain actively involved, ensuring continuity in technology development. At the same time, our North American co-investors contribute significant financial acumen and market access, particularly in high-value supply chains for batteries, semiconductors, and specialty materials.
“This acquisition provides more than just a process—it gives us real assets, well-credentialed partners, and a faster path to revenue. Impact is now uniquely positioned to become part of a vertically integrated, globally competitive supplier of HPA.”
Click here for the Shareholders & Investors Webinar Presentation
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Impact 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.
IPT:AU
27 March
Successful Completion of the Renounceable Rights Issue
Impact Minerals Limited (IPT:AU) has announced Successful Completion of the Renounceable Rights Issue
19 March
Renounceable Rights Issue Closing Date
13 March
Major drill targets identified at the Caligula Prospect
Impact Minerals Limited (IPT:AU) has announced Major drill targets identified at the Caligula Prospect
09 March
NFM: Sale of Broken Hill East Project to Impact Minerals
Impact Minerals Limited (IPT:AU) has announced NFM: Sale of Broken Hill East Project to Impact Minerals
04 March
Update on the Renounceable Rights Issue to raise $5.2M
Impact Minerals Limited (IPT:AU) has announced Update on the Renounceable Rights Issue to raise $5.2M
12 June
Australian Strategic Reports Bump in Rare Earths Sales Enquiries
Australian Strategic Materials (ASX:ASM,OTC Pink:ASMMF) has confirmed the sale of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) metal and neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) alloy to its key partners.
Supply came from the company's critical metals facility in South Korea's Ochang Foreign Investment Zone. Located 115 kilometres south of Seoul, the plant opened in May 2022 and is Australian Strategic's flagship metallisation plant.
According to Australian Strategic, it is the only ASX-listed company capable of producing rare earth metals and alloys commercially. The plant is one of the few facilities outside of China capable of producing the high-tech metals and alloys needed for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, defence and aerospace.
Australian Strategic shared that recent work carried out at the plant, together with ongoing trade and geopolitical uncertainty, has resulted in numerous sales enquiries and customer discussions.
“As rare earth supply chains face increasing vulnerability due to China’s export restrictions, ASM is continuing to develop existing and potential customer relationships, positioned to deliver an alternative supply to the rest of world," the company explains in a press release issued on June 6.
Its customers include big and small permanent magnet manufacturers in South Korea, the US and Europe
Australian Strategic also revealed that it will use existing stock and oxides from an Australian supplier to meet demand, and is currently in discussions with Canada-based Ucore Rare Metals (TSXV:UCU,OTCQX:UURAF) for more oxide supply.
In Australia, rare earths have increasingly been in demand, with the government looking to secure rare earths independence using various tactics. These include project investments, strategic partnerships and tax incentives.
Australian Strategic received AU$5 million for its Dubbo rare earths project under the Australian government’s International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program in October 2024.
As of 2025, Australia ranks fourth in both rare earths reserves and output.
Recently, Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC,OTC Pink:LYSCF), the world’s only producer of separated rare earths outside of China, became the first producer of heavy rare earths outside China after starting production at its Malaysian facility.
Australian Strategic will continue to work with relevant partners and update the market as further sales occur.
“In recent months, ASM’s position as one of the leading ex-China producers of NdPr metal and NdFeB alloy has been cemented,” Managing Director and CEO Rowena Smith commented.
“Having navigated rigorous validation processes with existing and potential customers, proving our capability and product quality, we are now in a position to leverage our growing experience and reputation in the industry.”
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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11 June
Change of Director's Interest Notice (T Sage)
11 June
Widespread Natural Rutile Observed Throughout the Central Rutile Tenement Package
DY6 Metals Ltd (ASX: DY6, “DY6” or “Company”) is pleased to announce the initial results from the reconnaissance exploration program at the Central Rutile Project, Cameroon. Desktop studies incorporating detailed geological mapping, geophysics, and known mineral occurrences, were used to define initial, high priority targets for ground-truthing. The reconnaissance programme, which consisted of auger sampling, road-cutting channel sampling, soil sampling and stream sediment sampling, was successful in identifying heavy mineral (HM) and natural rutile mineralisation across all five tenements that make up the Central Rutile project. Rutile nuggets, ranging in size from 1mm+ to 2cm+, were observed in alluvial and eluvial (residual) sources. Samples collected from the initial exploration programme are currently being prepped for dispatch to the Company’s laboratory for analysis in South Africa, with results expected in August 2025.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Reconnaissance auger and grab sampling programme nearing completion at the Central Rutile Project, with a detailed soil sampling programme to commence shortly
- Soil sampling programme will be used to rapidly identify areas of higher grade HM and rutile mineralisation, which will be followed up on with a large auger drilling campaign in the September quarter
- Reconnaissance sampling undertaken across the 5 Central Rutile Project tenements has identified visible natural rutile from both alluvial and eluvial (residual) sources
- The identification of rutile across the entire tenement package is highly encouraging and reaffirms the Company’s belief that the region is an emerging, globally significant rutile province
- Samples collected from the reconnaissance program are due to be submitted for laboratory analysis in the coming weeks, with results expected in the September quarter
- The Company’s reconnaissance program at the Douala Basin HMS Project is ongoing, with initial results expected in the coming weeks
Non-executive Chairman, Dan Smith, commented:
“The in-country team has done a great job of mobilising to site so quickly. We are pleased with the initial results from the reconnaissance program at the Central Rutile project and the confirmation of widespread, natural rutile across the licences from both residual and alluvial sources. I look forward to the receipt of the assays in the coming months, as well as results from the ongoing exploration at the Douala Basin project.”
Technical Consultant, Cliff Fitzhenry, commented:
“The Central Rutile project covers a large (2,140km2) area, so this initial reconnaissance programme has only just scratched the surface of the potential for this area. We always knew the licences were in the right address, having the correct underlying geology, deep in-situ weathering profile, and known, historic rutile occurrences. The solid work of the in-country team, in conjunction with our Senior Exploration Geologist, Troth Saindi, is already paying dividends. Having achieved our initial goals, exploration at the Central Rutile project will shift from reconnaissance in nature to that of a detailed soil sampling programme. This will allow us to achieve greater coverage over the tenement package and will help to rapidly define zones of higher grade heavy mineral occurrences, which will be followed up with a large-scale auger sampling programme.
I am excited to get on the ground as soon as possible to help drive the exploration work as the project story unfolds.”
Reconnaissance exploration at the Central Rutile Project
As announced on 5 June 2025, the Company has commenced reconnaissance auger and grab sampling programmes at the Central Rutile and Douala Basin HMS projects, Cameroon. To date, at the Central Rutile Project the Company has completed 3 auger drill holes (refer Figure 1), collecting 10 samples in the process, as well as collected 42 channel samples from 7 road cutting exposures, 1 surface grab sample and 2 stream sediment samples for analysis (refer Tables 1-4).
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from DY6 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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10 June
Hyundai Builds Rare Earths Stockpile to Offset Supply Risks
As global automakers brace for fallout from China’s tightening grip on rare earths exports, Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380,OTC Pink:HYMTF) appears to have quietly positioned itself ahead of the curve.
According to Reuters, a source familiar with the matter said on a recent investor call that the auto giant has stockpiled enough rare earth materials to maintain uninterrupted electric and hybrid vehicle production for about a year. The strategic stockpile should buy Hyundai critical time as supply chains buckle under mounting geopolitical tension.
China’s April decision to restrict exports of seven rare earths — a move requiring producers to obtain government licenses — has sent shockwaves through the auto, aerospace and semiconductor industries, particularly in the west.
But Hyundai, the world’s third largest automaker alongside affiliate Kia (KRX:000270), reportedly boosted its reserves during a brief window of relaxed Chinese controls, as per the source quoted by Reuters.
The Hyundai investor relations official reportedly told call participants that the company has “far more wiggle room” than rivals, citing successful procurement diversification and proactive inventory buildup.
Hyundai declined to confirm on inventory specifics in a public statement, but told Reuters, “We continuously evaluate market conditions to ensure operational stability and maintain a diversified global supply chain.”
Hyundai’s preparedness stands in contrast to the scramble now engulfing US and European manufacturers. Several major European suppliers have already reported production disruptions linked to delayed rare earths deliveries.
“We’re gradually coming into a very, very critical moment whereby those stocks are now being exhausted,” said Jonathan O’Riordan, international trade director at the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, in a Monday (June 9) interview with CNBC. “We are potentially going to see production stoppages.”
The rare earths crunch has become a central issue in US-China trade negotiations, which resumed on Monday in London and were set to continue Tuesday (June 10) morning, with Washington pushing for firmer guarantees.
Delegations led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US officials — including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — convened at Lancaster House in a bid to stabilize relations that have deteriorated beyond tariffs into critical minerals and tech controls.
The talks follow a May 12 truce that paused most of the 100-percent-plus tariffs both countries had imposed. However, since then, the US has accused China of “slow-walking” commitments, particularly regarding rare earths shipments.
US President Donald Trump, who last week spoke directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, appeared optimistic on Monday, telling reporters at the White House, “We're doing well with China. China's not easy.”
He added, “We're going to see,” when asked about lifting rare earths restrictions.
Kevin Hassett, Trump’s economic advisor, said the US is seeking a “handshake” agreement on resumed rare earths shipments, signaling that the mineral supply chain has now taken center stage in the global trade war.
For its part, China over the weekend appeared to open a narrow diplomatic path, announcing a “green channel” to fast track rare earths export licenses to select European Union firms. The country's Ministry of Commerce also confirmed that it has quietly granted licenses to Chinese suppliers servicing major US automakers.
It remains unclear whether Hyundai’s buffer includes inventory held by its suppliers, or how the company may choose to ration usage in the event of further disruptions. Nonetheless, the South Korean firm’s ability to maintain stable production offers temporary reassurance for a jittery global auto market.
As trade talks continue in London, the question isn’t whether China will remain central to rare earths — it’s whether any other nations can afford to remain dependent.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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10 June
Recycling Rare Earths: Path to Securing North American Supply Chains
Recycling materials has been a widely established process to promote sustainability and reduce carbon footprint. Now, thanks to both technology innovation and an increasing global sentiment toward resource resilience and security, this well-known process is carving a niche in the critical minerals space.
The global shift toward clean energy and advanced technologies is driving unprecedented demand for rare earth elements (REEs), yet the US remains almost entirely dependent on foreign sources, particularly China, for its supply. As the risks of this reliance grow more apparent, both industry and government are turning to recycling as a scalable, lower-impact solution to secure domestic access to these strategic materials.
Supply challenges
The rare earth supply chain is one of the most geopolitically concentrated in the world.
As of 2023, China accounted for nearly 90 percent of the global refined output of rare earth elements and dominates downstream magnet manufacturing capacity. This dominance poses significant supply chain and national security risks. According to the US Department of Energy, a disruption in REE supply would have a disproportionate impact on high-tech and defense sectors that rely on materials like neodymium and dysprosium.
Rare earth magnets, particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) types, are central to an increasingly wide array of technologies. In addition to their well-known applications in electric vehicles, wind turbines and military systems, they are also vital to the high-performance motors and cooling systems used in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
As demand for AI models and cloud computing surges, so does the need for hard disk drives as well as more efficient data centers, which rely on REE-powered components for energy efficiency and reliability. Consumer electronics, robotics, medical imaging devices and industrial automation systems also depend on these magnets to operate at high precision and speed. This broad dependency underscores why rare earths are not only an industrial necessity but also a strategic economic asset.
Recognizing the REE supply imbalance, the US government has prioritized rare earths as part of its critical minerals strategy, with policy initiatives aimed at supporting domestic production, recycling and innovation.
Beyond mining: Resilience through recycling
While new rare earth mining projects are in development across North America, they face well-known challenges: long permitting timelines, high capital costs and environmental concerns.
A report from the Harvard International Review indicates traditional mining of REEs often produces up to 2,000 tons of toxic waste per ton of extracted material. Recycling mitigates these impacts by reducing the need for new mining operations, thereby preserving ecosystems and decreasing carbon emissions. Innovative recycling methods have emerged as more sustainable alternatives, not only recovering valuable materials but also minimizing environmental harm.
Recycling and recovery of rare earths from end-of-life products offer a faster, more sustainable route to building domestic capacity. Establishing domestic recycling facilities enhances economic resilience by reducing reliance on imported REEs, particularly from dominant suppliers like China. Such initiatives contribute to job creation and stimulate local economies. Moreover, recycling supports a circular economy by reintroducing materials into the supply chain, reducing waste and promoting sustainable resource utilization.
Recent technological developments have made rare earth magnet recycling more viable. For instance, the use of copper salts in leaching processes has achieved recovery rates of up to 98 percent for certain REEs. Additionally, the selective extraction-evaporation-electrolysis process offers efficient separation and recycling of REEs from end-of-life magnets. The magnet-to-magnet approach — where spent magnets are processed into new ones without reverting to individual metal oxides — has gained traction due to its efficiency and lower carbon footprint. These advancements facilitate scalability, enabling broader adoption of recycling practices.
Several companies in North America and Europe are currently in various stages of advancing rare earth magnet recycling technologies, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient supply chain.
Supporting American critical minerals independence
One company gaining investor attention in this space is Vancouver-based CoTec Holdings (TSXV:CTH).
Through a joint venture with HyProMag USA, CoTec is bringing to market an innovative recycling method for rare earth magnets. The technology, known as Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS), was originally developed by researchers at the University of Birmingham.
This process uses hydrogen to break down and extract rare earth magnet alloy powders from end-of-life products, such as hard drives and electric motors, without the need for high-temperature smelting or acid-based leaching. Compared to traditional recycling methods, HPMS is energy-efficient, low-emission and scalable, enabling recovery of high-purity metalized magnet material while significantly reducing environmental impact. Because the extracted powder can be directly reused to produce new magnets — entirely within the US — the technology also eliminates the need to ship materials overseas for refining and metallization, cutting costs and reducing supply chain vulnerability.
HyProMag USA completed an independent feasibility study and ISO study of its carbon impact last year. The feasibility study, released in November 2024, is targeting a total annual production capacity of 1,041 tons of recycled NdFeB magnets over a 40 year operating life, post-tax net present value of US$262 million at current market prices, increasing to US$503 million at independent forecast prices. HyProMag USA is eyeing 10 percent of USA’s domestic demand for NdFeB magnets within five years of commissioning, with three plants targeting ~3,000 tons of recycled NdFeB magnets, which is three times what was contemplated in the November 2024 feasibility study.
CoTec owns 60.3 percent of HyProMag USA, including a 50 percent direct stake and an indirect interest through its 20.6 percent ownership in Maginito, HyProMag’s other JV partner. The company is building a rare earth magnet recycling facility in the Texas Dallas-Fort Worth area, positioning it to serve US manufacturing and defense industries.
This recycling-based approach not only supports US supply chain resilience but also provides investors with exposure to a lower-risk, ESG-aligned critical minerals strategy.
Investor takeaway
As demand for clean energy and digital technologies accelerates, rare earth materials will remain a strategic priority. While domestic mining plays a role, recycling technologies like HPMS offer near-term solutions to build secure, sustainable and traceable supply chains. Companies innovating in this space — particularly those that can scale effectively in North America — may benefit from rising demand, policy support and long-term structural tailwinds.
For investors, understanding the rare earth ecosystem, including its geopolitical risks and technical innovation pathways, will be essential in identifying resilient opportunities amid the energy transition.
This INNspired article is sponsored by CoTec (TSXV:CTH,OTCQB:CTHCF) This INNspired article provides information which was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by CoTecin order to help investors learn more about the company. CoTec is a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this INNspired article.
This INNspired article was written according to INN editorial standards to educate investors.
INN does not provide investment advice and the information on this profile should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. INN does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company profiled.
The information contained here is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Readers should conduct their own research for all information publicly available concerning the company. Prior to making any investment decision, it is recommended that readers consult directly with CoTec and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
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10 June
Eclipse Metals Completes $2M Oversubscribed Placement at Market Price to Advance 89Mt Grønnedal Rare Earth Project
Eclipse Metals Limited (ASX: EPM) (Eclipse or the Company) is pleased to advise that it has received firm commitments to raise $2 million (before costs) through a placement to institutional, professional, and sophisticated investors (Placement). The Placement was strongly supported, and the Company has accepted $2 million in line with its strategic funding objectives. Allocations were scaled back accordingly.
Highlights
- Firm commitments received to raise $2 million via an oversubscribed Placement conducted at no discount to the last traded price of $0.015
- Placement was cornerstoned by an existing shareholder with a $500,000 commitment
- Proceeds to advance environmental and exploration programs at Ivigtût and Grønnedal
- Supports evaluation of historical drill core and definition of new drill targets
- Reinforces Eclipse’s strategic role in the global rare earth supply chain
The Placement was cornerstoned by a supportive existing shareholder, who subscribed for $500,000, reflecting continued confidence in Eclipse’s long-term strategy and the potential of its Greenland assets.
The Placement follows the Company’s recent announcement of an 89 million tonne Mineral Resource Estimate at the Grønnedal rare earth element (REE) deposit in southwest Greenland. Investor interest reflects recognition of the scale and quality of this resource, as well as the broader critical minerals potential of the project.
Under the Placement, Eclipse will issue 133,333,333 fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of $0.015 per share. In addition, 33 million unlisted options (Options) will be issued to the Lead Manager, exercisable at $0.03 each and expiring two years from the date of issue.
Placement funds raised will be used for the following:
- Exploration and resource expansion drilling at the Grønnedal rare earth element (REE) prospect
- Environmental baseline and remediation planning at the historic Ivigtût pit
- Assessment and mineralogical analysis of historical drill core to enhance geological understanding
- General working capital and costs associated with the Placement
The Placement will be undertaken within the Company’s existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A and will not require shareholder approval.
Peak Asset Management acted as Lead Manager to the Placement.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Eclipse 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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