April
MinRes rules out equity raise as debt mountain hits $5.4b
The diversified miner burnt through $300m of cash in three months, but its shares jumped as fears of a dilutive share placement were alleviated.
Gina Rinehart-backed Delta Lithium to spin out WA gold mine
The junior explorer will separate its gold assets into Ballard Mining and launch an IPO to take advantage of astronomical demand.
Lithium investors fear price plunge from Labor stockpile
A fresh wave of supply would deal another blow to lithium prices, which Citi already expects to fall a further 27 per cent in coming months.
Super funds demand answers after MinRes board exodus
Susie Corlett and Jacqueline McGill have been critical of founder Chris Ellison, and their exit has raised questions about plans to overhaul governance.
Galan Lithium considers capital raising after knocking back bid
Galan is the 100 per cent owner of HMW, which – as it reminded investors at its half-year accounts – is next to the Fenix project owned by Arcadium Lithium.
March
Rio Tinto has talks with Congo over prize lithium deposit
Securing investment from a Western firm of Rio’s size would be a significant boost for the central African nation’s leaders.
Australia’s lithium dream is fading. Can tax breaks revive it?
The prime minister believes he can revive hopes of turning Australia into a minerals processing powerhouse. Is this anything other than wishful thinking?
Latest MinRes truck crash heaps more pressure on loss-making miner
A sixth jumbo road train has rolled on the critical haul network in WA’s Pilbara, raising questions over the miner’s ability to hit its shipment targets
Rio Tinto seeks as much as $14b for Arcadium Lithium buyout
A unit of the world’s second-biggest miner is looking to sell bonds in as many as eight parts, with the longest portion a 40-year note.
Short sellers feast on Tim Goyder’s fallen angels Chalice and Liontown
Goyder’s circa $10 million selldown at Chalice could fund a circa $100 million pro-rata rights issue at Liontown if – and it’s a big if – needs to raise cash.
Morgan Stanley gives up on lithium rebound as supply woes return
The US broker has walked back from its bullish December call that it’s safe for investors to re-enter the beaten up sector. At the time, its top pick was Mineral Resources, which has since dived 40 per cent.
Investors warn Rio Tinto executives to scrap billion-dollar issuance
Over dinner in Sydney last week, fund managers urged chief financial officer Peter Cunningham to ditch the plans to boost the Australian register.
February
Rio Tinto’s big equity-raising alert falls on deaf ears
The mining giant’s usually direct boss is thinking about raising equity. Investors are a bit dismissive. Are they overthinking it?
MinRes v the market: Ellison taken to the cliff edge
The mining magnate’s attempts to calm market fears resulted in MinRes shares cratering.
Lithium producer IGO plunges to $782m loss
The miner’s loss highlights Australia’s lithium refining struggles.
Wesfarmers boss: rate cut good for consumers but inflation persists
The Perth-headquartered conglomerate delivered better than expected profit for the first half of the financial year, powered by Kmart and Bunnings.
Board drama as Global Lithium succumbs to ‘Chinese’ takeover
New leadership denies claims of covert foreign influence over the WA-based critical minerals group.
Taxpayer cash revives $105m lithium refinery project
The Albanese government’s floundering plan to grow a domestic mineral processing industry has been boosted by the revival of a stalled lithium phosphate project
Investors fear Chinese mine restart puts lithium resurgence in danger
CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, is restarting its major Jiangxi operation, a move which could keep prices depressed.
January
Liontown Resources beats expectations amid lithium rout
Lithium miners have struggled through a bear market for the battery mineral, driven by weaker-than-expected sales of EVs and strong supply from new mines.