Energy Exploration Technologies (EnergyX) has launched its NUKE-it platform to produce nuclear-grade lithium isotopes, targeting 15% enriched Lithium-6 for tokamak fusion and 99.999% pure Lithium-7 for thorium molten salt fission reactors. Building on its GET-Lit DLE extraction and refining suite, the company is tying isotope production to its Lonestar Lithium project in the Smackover formation, where it now controls 47,500 acres of lithium-rich brine after a US$26 million land deal. Uranium and thorium materials from upper Smackover limestone reservoirs in Arkansas and Louisiana are planned as follow-on products.

America’s near-total reliance on China for critical minerals – including 90% of global rare earth magnets, all ultrapure dysprosium and samarium for defence uses – is framed by NOIA president Erik Milito as a direct national security risk. Milito backs President Trump’s “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources” executive order to fast-track offshore exploration, arguing that polymetallic nodules and shallow-water deposits could supply nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper at multi-generational scale. He points to decades of US sediment dredging and modern offshore robotics, monitoring and containment as evidence that well-regulated seabed mining can be run with controlled environmental impacts.

Hancock Prospecting and Saudi state miner Maaden have formed a joint venture to run exploration, development, mining, sales and marketing across licensed areas in Saudi Arabia, including five new exploration licences in the Nabita Ad-Duwayhi Gold-Belt. The partnership, announced alongside Round 9 licence awards at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh on 14 January, aims to accelerate discovery and project delivery under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 pro-mining framework. Hancock brings large-project experience from Australia’s A$10 billion Roy iron ore project, while Maaden targets rapid build-out of a regional mineral hub and local talent pipeline.