Vulcan Elements has partnered with the North Carolina Collaboratory and UNC-Chapel Hill chemist Yosuke Kanai to use quantum-mechanical simulations to predict how atomic-level changes affect rare earth magnet properties, backed by a $600,000 research award. The work feeds directly into Vulcan’s 1.1 million-square-foot Benson, North Carolina plant, designed for 10,000 t/y of magnet production and billed as the largest rare earth magnet factory outside China. Vulcan claims its material, technology, software, IP and ownership are fully decoupled from Chinese supply chains, aligning with its existing $1.4 billion US government-backed partnership with ReElement Technologies.

Regis Resources ended the September quarter with $1.28 billion in cash and bullion after generating $265 million in operating cash flow and collecting a $51 million break fee from Vault Minerals, following its decision not to match Genesis Minerals’ competing offer. The strengthened balance sheet gives Regis substantial optionality on funding the McPhillamys gold project in New South Wales, rather than relying heavily on project finance or equity. For mine planners and project engineers, this signals potential acceleration of McPhillamys approvals, early works and long-lead procurement once a final investment decision is made.

Metso has agreed to acquire Italbronze, a Brazilian producer of high‑performance bronze alloy components used in crusher wear parts and other heavy industrial equipment. The deal secures in‑house manufacture of large bronze bushings and other precision castings that are critical for Metso’s cone and gyratory crusher aftermarket, particularly in high‑load, high‑abrasion applications. Vertical integration of this casting and machining capacity in Brazil should reduce supply risk and lead times for spares across Metso’s global crushing installed base.