Ucore Rare Metals has signed a framework agreement with Sumitomo Corp. to secure rare earth feedstock and offtake for Ucore’s Louisiana strategic metals complex (SMC) at England Airpark, Alexandria, which broke ground in May 2025 and will produce high-purity rare earth oxides from multiple global concentrate sources. The deal pairs Ucore’s RapidSX separation technology with Sumitomo’s sourcing, logistics and Japanese market access, with Sumitomo acting as distribution partner for selected middle and heavy rare earths for high-performance magnet and advanced materials users. Ucore also plans to integrate its 100%-controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge heavy rare earth project in Alaska into this supply chain over the longer term.

AbraSilver Resource has reported its best intercept to date at the Teck-funded La Coipita copper-gold porphyry in San Juan, with hole DDH-LC26-010 cutting 747.5 m at 0.69% Cu, 0.06 g/t Au and 142 ppm Mo from 396 m, including 108 m at 1.06% Cu. A second mineralised centre at Yaretas Sur, 1.9 km south, returned 42 m at 1.03% Cu, 0.63 g/t Au and 41 g/t Ag from 264 m, supported by a new magnetotelluric survey suggesting southern extensions. Teck has now drilled 11,270 m in 19 holes and spent about US$23 million, exceeding the US$20 million earn-in threshold toward an 80–20 JV.

Surge Copper’s prefeasibility study for the Berg open pit in central British Columbia lifts post-tax NPV (8% discount) to C$4.6 billion and IRR to 24%, while doubling initial capex to C$4.7 billion compared with the 2023 PEA. The 28-year mine plan now targets 4.9 billion lb copper, 602 million lb molybdenum and 89 million oz silver, underpinned by 1.2 billion tonnes of proven and probable reserves grading 0.22% Cu, 0.026% Mo and 4.1 g/t Ag. Surge is advancing an Indigenous-led assessment with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en alongside permitting and design work.