Critical One Energy has signed a binding MOU with Solar International Core Canada for C$25 million in equity, a construction financing facility of up to C$400 million and exclusive offtake rights for up to 150 million lb of antimony from the Howells Lake antimony-gold project in Ontario. The deal includes C$15 million at C$1.20 per share— a 48% premium to the prior C$0.81 close—giving SICC a 12% fully diluted stake and one board seat, plus a C$10 million carried equity interest for Critical One in an Ontario antimony processing plant led by Northlink Development Group. Located 120 km west of the Ring of Fire access corridor on Eabametoong First Nation homelands, Howells Lake is described as Canada’s largest undeveloped antimony deposit, with current work focused on airborne geophysics and verification of historic antimony-gold zones across the 26 km property.

Rio Tinto has commissioned its $530 million Fénix 1B expansion and $374 million Sal de Vida lithium carbonate plant in Catamarca, delivering first production in Q2 2026 and adding 25,000 tonnes/year of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) capacity. The projects, part of an integrated hub on the Salar del Hombre Muerto with a 19‑million‑tonne LCE resource, lift Rio’s nominal Argentine capacity (including Olaroz) to about 100,000 tonnes/year and combine direct lithium extraction at Fénix with evaporation ponds at Sal de Vida. Further Fénix expansions, including the proposed Fénix II plant, could require around $1 billion and are being lined up for Argentina’s 30‑year RIGI incentive regime.

Eldorado Gold shares fell 7.9% to C$44.44 after it cut 2026 gold guidance 18% to 425,000–475,000 oz. and disclosed a US$160 million underlying capital increase at the Skouries copper-gold project, taking total project capital to about US$1.43 billion. Skouries’ 2026 output outlook was slashed to 10,000–35,000 oz. from 60,000–100,000 oz. as commissioning lengthens, with only two of six tailings filter presses currently operating and temporary generator use adding to costs before grid connection. All-in sustaining costs at existing mines rose 16% at the midpoint to US$1,975–US$2,125/oz., while McIlvenna Bay capex edged up 2.4% to US$975 million, extending cash burn into late 2026.