Critical Minerals Sector Insights

Sample Briefing

Industry & Market

Exa: Critical Minerals Supply Chain ↗

Published 20 July 2026, 10:00 am AEST

Beetaloo Basin first gas imminent, powering NT critical minerals and data centres

The Beetaloo Basin is set to produce its first gas within weeks, with the Northern Territory positioning cheap gas power as the foundation for rare earths processing and data centre expansion. Why it matters: Affordable gas power is a critical enabler for NT rare earths and critical minerals processing economics, directly affecting project viability and investment cases.

Exa: Critical Minerals Project Finance ↗

Published 20 July 2026, 12:00 pm AEST

Critical Minerals Group Lindfield Vanadium PFS: NPV A$821m, IRR 26.6%

Critical Minerals Group (ASX: CMG) completed a pre-feasibility study for its Lindfield vanadium project at 3 Mtpa, delivering a pre-tax NPV of A$821m, IRR of 26.6%, capex of A$981m, with a Parkes vanadium electrolyte plant targeting 2028 start. Why it matters: PFS outcomes and processing plant timeline establish Lindfield's investment case and advance CMG toward a final investment decision for a domestic vanadium supply chain.

Exa: Critical Minerals Supply Chain ↗

Published 20 July 2026, 10:00 am AEST

Barkly REE project launches 10,000m resource expansion drilling campaign

A 10,000-metre rare earth element resource expansion drilling campaign at the Barkly project has commenced, targeting resource growth in the Northern Territory. Why it matters: Resource expansion drilling at Barkly could materially upgrade the project's scale and investment case for Australian REE supply chain development.

Exa: Battery Materials Policy and Finance ↗

Published 20 July 2026, 12:00 pm AEST

AnteoTech Ultranode 95 battery anode validated at 390 Wh/kg after A$10m raise

AnteoTech (ASX: ADO) validated its Ultranode 95 silicon anode material at approximately 390 Wh/kg with 300-plus cycles, meeting defence-drone standards, following a A$10m capital raise leaving cash of A$11.2m. Why it matters: Validation of a high-energy-density anode with defence applicability signals a potential domestic advanced battery materials commercialisation pathway.

International Context

Exa: Allied Critical Minerals Supply Chains ↗

Published 21 July 2026, 6:05 am AEST

Forrest's $190m tungsten investment drives Western supply security push

Andrew Forrest committed approximately $190 million to an ASX-listed tungsten project on 2026-07-20, intensifying focus on building non-Chinese tungsten supply chains for defence and industrial applications. Why it matters: Tungsten is a critical defence and industrial material; a major Western-backed investment signals shifting supply-chain strategy away from China-dominant sources.