Buy, hold, sell: 3 very popular ASX mining stocks

Are analysts positive on these miners this week? Let's find out.

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If you are looking for exposure to the mining sector, then it could pay to listen to what experts are saying about the ASX mining stocks in this article, courtesy of The Bull.

Here's what they are saying about these stocks this week:

Cheerful businessman with a mining hat on the table sitting back with his arms behind his head while looking at his laptop's screen.

Image source: Getty Images

Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: ARU)

The team at Medallion Financial Group thinks Arafura Rare Earths is an ASX mining stock to hold.

While positive on its Nolans Project in the Northern Territory, it doesn't appear to see enough value in its shares to recommend it as a buy. It said:

The rare earths company is developing the Nolans Project in the Northern Territory — Australia's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide NdPr (Neodymium-Praseodymium) operation, producing the critical input for electric vehicle motors and wind turbines. With China controlling about 85 per cent of global processing and restricting exports, projects like Nolans are rare and strategically valuable. The company just reached its final investment decision and recently received commitments under an institutional placement to raise $350 million.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

Over at Catapult Wealth, it has named lithium giant PLS (formerly known as Pilbara Minerals) as a hold this week.

There is a lot to like about this ASX mining stock. However, it still isn't quite enough for Catapult Wealth to give it a more positive recommendation. It said:

PLS is an Australian lithium producer, with its primary operation in Western Australia. PLS has a solid balance sheet. Revenue of $624 million in the first half of 2026 was up 47 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Driving growth is a combination of increasing demand for lithium and near term supply constraints. Demand is fuelled by growing battery and electric vehicle adoption, which has been boosted by the conflict in Iran and crude oil disruptions. The strong balance sheet and free cash flow should enable PLS to fund its expansion plans.

Unico Silver Ltd (ASX: USL)

Medallion Financial Group is more positive on this silver developer and has named it as an ASX mining stock to buy this week.

It likes the company due to its growing resource and exposure to a rising commodity. It explains:

This silver explorer is advancing high grade deposits in Argentina's Santa Cruz province. The Joaquin project recently delivered a 143 per cent resource increase to 167 million ounces of silver equivalent since acquiring it in October 2024. The latest update was achieved from just 27,723 metres of drilling at a discovery cost of US11 cents per ounce. Silver demand is structurally supported by solar, electrification and green technology, giving USL direct leverage to a rising commodity. With the resource growing rapidly and development progressing, the investment case is building.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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