Liberty Star Minerals has staked 13 additional mineral exploration permits covering about 11 square miles in southeast Arizona, expanding its Hay Mountain Holdings footprint to roughly 45 square miles and making it the state’s largest mineral position not controlled by a major. The consolidated district-scale package in the Tombstone Mining District now includes Earp Ridge Mines, LLC and Red Rock Mines, LLC, covering copper, gold, molybdenum and other critical minerals identified by geologic mapping, rock sampling and induced polarisation surveys. Chairman Pete O’Heeron is targeting a “serious mining partner” to advance porphyry copper-style prospects in this prolific belt.

Argentina Lithium & Energy has secured a US$100 million staged funding package from Xi’an Lanshen New Material Technology to advance the Rincon West brine project in Salta, centred on pilot-scale direct lithium extraction and engineering for a 5,000 t/y battery-grade lithium carbonate plant. The greenfield project currently hosts 238,000 tonnes LCE (measured and indicated) at an average 296 mg/L lithium, with progression to full plant construction contingent on an NI 43‑101 reserve, EIA approval, baseline studies and permits. Lanshen will supply integrated EPC, DLE systems and commissioning in exchange for up to 30% of ALESA, alongside Stellantis’ existing 19.9% stake and offtake rights.

Drilling at BMC Minerals’ Kudz Ze Kayah project in Yukon has intersected thick, high-grade massive sulphides in the Krakatoa zone, with hole K26-560 cutting 25.1 metres at 180 g/t silver, 9.7% zinc, 1 g/t gold, 0.3% copper and 3.4% lead from 327.5 metres, confirming 2016 intercepts such as 20.8 metres at 218 g/t silver and 8.6% zinc. The project now has positive Yukon and federal decision documents, a 2023 feasibility study outlining a US$835 million pre-tax NPV (7%), 42% IRR, nine-year mine life and US$492 million pre-production capex, but faces continued opposition from Kaska Nation groups over caribou and environmental impacts as BMC targets a final investment decision in late 2027.