Westwin Elements and commodities trader Traxys have agreed amended and restated feedstock and nickel offtake contracts that could run for up to 22 years, with the offtake alone worth about $3.96 billion at current prices. The framework secures long-term supply of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) to Westwin’s planned class 1 nickel refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site in Natchez, Mississippi, and sales of refined nickel briquettes. Westwin will scale from its 20-tonne-per-year nickel carbonyl demonstration plant in Lawton, Oklahoma, with the extended tenor expected to support project financing and US supply chain security.

An updated preliminary economic assessment nearly doubles the post-tax NPV of Aclara Resources’ Penco Module ionic clay rare earths project in Chile to C$344 million, despite initial capex rising to C$244 million and the discount rate increasing from 5% to 8%. The mine life is extended to 17 years with a 26.1% IRR, processing 30.8 million tonnes and producing a “super pure” carbonate grading about 6% dysprosium, 0.8% terbium, 54.5% yttrium and 4.2% gadolinium. Measured and indicated resources now stand at 35.8 million tonnes at 2,095 ppm TREO, with construction targeted for completion in 2028 and integration into Aclara’s planned Dynamo processing plant in Louisiana.

Caterpillar is preparing to launch the 22 t R3200 diesel-electric LHD, building on the field performance of its 18.5 t R2900 XE, which has already reached at least 21 units in operation at PT Freeport Indonesia via dealer Trakindo. The new R3200 targets higher-capacity underground loading with the same hybrid drivetrain concept aimed at lower fuel burn and reduced heat load compared with conventional diesel units. For mine planners, the move signals continued OEM commitment to diesel-electric fleets as a bridge between traditional diesel and full battery-electric loading.