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.

Morton Salt has halted underground mining at its Fairport, Ohio rock salt operation after detecting a “significant inflow of water” on 22 October, triggering an immediate evacuation, shutdown of all underground activities and regulatory notifications. Surface work at the shaft complex is now “severely limited”, with the company declaring force majeure to customers and vendors while independent experts assess the source, extent and geotechnical implications of the water ingress. Local media report dozens of layoffs and say the future of mining at the site remains uncertain.

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.