ASX mining shares are higher on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) up 0.82%.
So far this year, ASX mining shares have continued to outperform after an exceptionally strong run in 2025.
The Metal & Mining Index is up 13.9% in the year to date (YTD) while the broader S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is up 2.7%.
Here are three ASX mining shares that the experts think will rise strongly over the next 12 months.
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WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1)
This ASX copper mining share is $16.73 apiece, up 2.3% today.
WA1 Resources shares are down 12.9% in the YTD and up 25% over the past 12 months.
Copper is in high demand for all the new infrastructure required for the green energy transition and artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
It's also attractive to investors seeking hard assets in today's growing debasement trade.
The copper price hit a new record above US$6 per pound earlier this year, and is currently up 24.5% over the past 12 months.
Canaccord Genuity has a buy rating on WA1 Resources shares.
The broker lifted its 12-month share price target from $28 to $32 apiece this month.
This implies a 91% potential upside over the next 12 months on the ASX copper mining share.
Check out Goldman Sachs' 2026 forecast for the copper price here.
Santana Minerals Ltd (ASX: SMI)
The Santana Minerals share price is 90 cents, down 4.3% today and up 58% over the past 12 months.
Santana Minerals is developing the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project (BOGP) on the South Island of New Zealand.
Shaw & Partners has a buy rating and a 12-month share price target of $2.15 on this ASX gold mining share.
This suggests a possible near-140% capital gain over the next year.
In a recent note, the broker said:
Santana Minerals Limited (ASX: SMI) has announced that the Fast-Track Approval (FTA) Panel Convener has confirmed a 140 working-day statutory timeframe for determination of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project (BOGP), with a decision due by 29 October 2026.
The timeline is longer than expected (60-100 days) but now provides certainty in the process.
Development consent is now expected to be granted in H2 CY26.
Santana Minerals announced the completion of a $113 million institutional capital raise today.
The funds will be used to accelerate the mine's development in preparation for a Final Investment Decision (FID).
The miner will seek to raise up to another $30 million from ordinary investors via a Share Purchase Plan.
Check out some 2026 gold price forecasts here.
Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)
This ASX gold mining share is $8.13 apiece, down 1.8% today.
Catalyst Metals shares are up 10.2% in the YTD and up 108% over the past 12 months.
Catalyst Metals owns the Plutonic gold mine in Western Australia and the Bendigo exploration project in Victoria.
In its 2Q FY26 update, Catalyst Metals announced record quarterly gold production of 28,176 ounces at Plutonic.
The average realised price was A$2,776 per ounce, and the average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) was A$2,565 per ounce.
Bell Potter has a buy rating on the ASX gold mining share and a price target of $14.60.
This implies an 80% potential upside over the next 12 months.
