The fast-rising stock in question is St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ), which just announced a collaboration with global engineering and professional services company Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR).

St George Mining shares closed yesterday trading for 11.5 cents. At time of writing, shares are changing hands for 12.0 apiece, up 4.4%.

This sees shares in the ASX All Ords mining stock up a jaw-dropping 328.6% since this time last year. That's enough to turn a $10,000 investment into $42,857.

In one year.

Worley shares are up 1.4% at $12.15 each.

Here's what's happening.

ASX All Ords mining stock lifts on Worley agreement

This morning, St George Mining announced that it has appointed Worley Engenharia – the Brazilian subsidiary of Worley – to provide technical advisory services at St George's Araxa Project, located in Brazil.

St George is looking into the potential development of a niobium and rare earths mine at Araxa.

The ASX All Ords mining stock acquired 100% of the Araxa Project, located in proximity to proven niobium mining operations, in February 2025.

St George said it chose Worley for the advisory position in light of the company's "engineering excellence and deep experience in the Brazilian resources sector".

Under the technical services agreement, Worley will provide engineering and project management advice to St George to support development studies for a niobium and rare earths mining operation.

Worley will assist St George Mining with metallurgical and process engineering, feasibility and cost study work, process plant design, mine planning, tailings management, procurement and plant construction.

What did St George and Worley management say?

Commenting on the collaboration with Worley that's helping boost the ASX All Ords mining stock today, St George executive chairman John Prineas said:

As one of the world's largest providers of engineering and project management solutions to the resources sector, Worley brings extensive and relevant expertise to support St George as we advance the potential development of our world-class Araxa Project…

With a world-class resource already defined at our project, the appointment of Worley will enable economic studies to gain momentum as we look to fast-track development and take advantage of our favourable project logistics – notably, a location in an established mining region, access to existing transport and energy infrastructure, availability of an experienced workforce and high-grade mineralisation amenable to open-pit mining, which are all backed by a supportive permitting regime.

Tom Foster, Worley's senior vice president for global operations in Latin America, added, "We're pleased to partner with St George to bring our regional expertise and global capabilities to support the Araxa Project."

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Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)

The 4DMedical share price is down 2.5% to $5.50. Once again, this appears to have been driven by profit-taking from some investors. Investors have been bidding this respiratory imaging technology company's shares higher this month after it made a big announcement. 4DMedical advised that its CT:VQ technology has been deployed at the Mayo Clinic in the United States. The company's managing director and CEO, Andreas Fouras, was very pleased with the news. He said: "Mayo's deployment is uniquely significant. When the world's number one hospital chooses to use your technology, it sends the strongest possible signal to the entire U.S. healthcare market about the clinical value and readiness of CT:VQ." 4DMedical shares remain up approximately 30% since this time last month.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)

The New Hope share price is down 5% to $5.81. This has been driven by the coal miner's shares going ex-dividend on Tuesday. New Hope recently released its half-year results and declared a fully franked interim dividend of 10 cents per share. Eligible shareholders can now look forward to receiving this next month on 20 April.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The Santos share price is down 1.5% to $7.94. This may be due to reports that Donald Trump is intent on ending the US-Iran war sooner rather than later. Traders may believe that this could mean oil prices will pull back from recent highs.

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is down over 4% to 11 cents. This is despite the rare earths company announcing a memorandum of understanding with Tecnicas Reunidas. The two parties will work to complete processing test work on samples of the rare earths resource at the Araxa niobium-REE Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. St George Mining's executive chairman, John Prineas, commented: "We are very excited to be working with Tecnicas Reunidas to further assess the optimal processing route for the Araxa rare earths and to potentially access the vast European market for rare earths."

The post Why 4DMedical, New Hope, Santos, and St George Mining shares are dropping today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back today are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

The Collins Foods share price is up 7% to $10.07. This follows news that the quick service restaurant operator is accelerating its expansion in Germany. Collins Foods has agreed to acquire eight KFC restaurants in Bavaria, centred around Munich, increasing its presence and scale in the country. The company also released a trading update which revealed that Australian same store sales are up 3.2% so far in the second half and 2.7% year to date. The company's CEO, Xavier Simonet, said: "There is a significant growth opportunity for Collins Foods in the German market, and we are pleased to be executing on our expansion in a disciplined manner."

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is up 7% to 15 cents. Investors have been buying this rare earths developer's shares after it announced downstream plans that will aim to separate cerium and lanthanum. St George Mining's executive chair, John Prineas, commented: "The magnet and heavy rare earths hosted in our world-class Araxa rare earths resource are very significant and the main driver for development of a rare earths mining operation. The opportunity to also monetise the cerium component of the Araxa rare earths deposit can add material value to a potential mining operation at Araxa."

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The Whitehaven Coal share price is up 5% to $9.12. This has been driven by news that three major credit agencies have given the coal miner BB+ ratings with stable outlooks. Whitehaven's managing director and CEO, Paul Flynn, said: "These credit ratings recognise Whitehaven's strengthened credit profile, prudent capital management and the successful integration – and initial improvements – at the Daunia and Blackwater metallurgical coal operations, which have enhanced the Company's diversification, scale and returns through the cycle."

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside Energy share price is up almost 2% to $30.97. The catalyst for this has been a jump in oil prices overnight. It isn't just Woodside that is rising today. Other energy shares are rising as well, which has lifted the S&P/ASX 200 Energy index by 1.7% this afternoon.

The post Why Collins Foods, St George Mining, Whitehaven Coal, and Woodside shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are charging higher:

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is up 10% to $22.49. This follows a strong night of trade for the family safety technology company's NASDAQ listed shares on Wall Street on Monday. Given that its ASX listed shares sank on Monday, a big reversal was necessary today to bring them to parity. It is also worth noting that late last week Morgan Stanley put an overweight rating and $50.00 price target on Life360's shares. This is more than double its current share price.

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is up 5.5% to 13.2 cents. This morning, the rare earths developer announced the appointment of Carla Grasso, a senior Brazilian resource geologist, to the role of Principal Geologist. It notes that this is a key executive appointment that underscores St George's commitment to an accelerated development of the world-class Araxa Rare Earths-Niobium Project. St George Mining's executive chair, John Prineas, said: "We are delighted to welcome Carla Grasso to our Brazilian team as we build momentum for the potential development of a mining operation at the Araxa Project."

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price is up 7.5% to $10.96. This follows the release of an update on part one of the ProstACT Global Phase 3 study. This is the safety and dosimetry lead-in for its therapeutic candidate, TLX591-Tx. Telix revealed that it achieved its primary objectives, demonstrating an acceptable safety and tolerability profile with no new safety signals observed. Telix's group chief medical officer, David N. Cade, MD, said: "Despite advances in clinical practice, men with advanced prostate cancer still need improved first and second line treatment options. These results build on prior findings and highlight the potential for TLX591-Tx in combination with contemporary standard of care, to become a new first-line option for patients facing this aggressive disease."

Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)

The Westgold Resources share price is up 4% to $6.50. This morning, this gold miner announced board approval for a $145 million investment in the Higginsville Expansion Plan (HXP). This will lift plant capacity by 62.5% from 1.6Mtpa to 2.6Mtpa. Westgold's CEO, Wayne Bramwell, said: "The Higginsville Expansion Plan (HXP) is the next step to drive down unit costs and increase Group free cash flow from the Southern Goldfields."

The post Why Life360, St George Mining, Telix, and Westgold shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here's why they are dropping:

Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC)

The Capstone Copper share price is down 8% to $13.29. This morning, this copper miner revealed full-year production growth of 22% to 224,764 tonnes with a cash cost of $2.44 per pound. However, it also provided guidance for FY 2026, which revealed that it expects production of just 200,000 to 230,000 tonnes with cash costs of $2.45 to $2.75 per pound. The higher costs are expected to be driven by modest inflation and the impact of lower-grade zones driven by mine sequence at Mantos Blancos and Pinto Valley.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is down 10% to $22.10. Investors have been selling this family safety technology company's shares following the release of its full-year results. At one stage today, Life360's shares were up as much as 15% before making a significant U-turn. Interestingly, this is despite Life360 delivering earnings ahead of expectations and reiterating its guidance for FY 2026. However, it is worth noting that the tech sector is a sea of red today.

Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU)

The Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price is down 7.5% to $12.73. This morning, this pharmaceuticals company confirmed that European regulators have rejected its application for trofinetide for the treatment of Rett syndrome. Its partner, Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ACAD), commented: "While we are disappointed by the CHMP's recommendation to refuse approval, we continue to be encouraged by the meaningful benefits trofinetide has demonstrated for people living with Rett syndrome. The strong engagement and positive feedback we have seen from patients, caregivers, and clinicians in the Rett community reinforce our belief in the treatment's clinical value. We remain committed to working constructively with EU regulators to explore next steps and to bring this therapy to patients."

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is down 15.5% to 13.5 cents. This is despite the rare earths explorer announcing a substantial increase in the size and quality of the mineral resource estimate at its 100%-owned Araxa Project. Management believes this confirms the tier one status of the rare earths and niobium deposit in the world's premier niobium-producing region. However, it seems that investors were expecting stronger numbers.

The post Why Capstone Copper, Life360, Neuren, and St George Mining shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)

The Catalyst Metals share price is up 6% to $9.53. This morning, this gold miner released drilling results from the Cinnamon trend at the Plutonic Gold Belt. According to the release, the latest drilling results have confirmed a high-grade zone along a 400m strike length, which remains open in both directions. Catalyst's managing director and CEO, James Champion de Crespigny, commented: "Since Catalyst acquired Plutonic, it has only had the time and capital to explore at Plutonic and Trident. Both Reserves have doubled under Catalyst's ownership. The next target was Cinnamon. The results today, and those released back in October 2025, suggest the potential to replicate this success again."

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

The Lynas Rare Earths share price is up 2% to $15.81. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Morgan Stanley this morning. According to the note, the broker has upgraded the rare earths producer's shares to an overweight rating with a $17.55 price target. Although the broker suspects that Lynas' quarterly update could fall short of consensus estimates, it believes investors should overlook this. Especially given recent strength in rare earths prices.

Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

The Polynovo share price is up 3% to $1.24. This has been driven by the release of the medical device company's half year update. PolyNovo revealed that it achieved unaudited group sales of $68.2 million for the first half of FY 2026. This represents a 26% increase year on year. Including BARDA revenue, total group revenue rose 17.6% to $70.4 million. PolyNovo's new CEO, Bruce Peatey, said: "We are pleased to see strong growth across key markets, supported by a broader adoption across multiple indications, new products, and expanded geographies—giving us confidence in continued momentum through 2026."

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is up almost 14% to 12.5 cents. Investors have been buying this mining exploration company after it released strong drilling results from the 100%-owned Araxa Rare Earths and Niobium Project in Brazil. According to the release, the company recorded exceptional assays of very thick and very high-grade rare earths and niobium mineralisation.

The post Why Catalyst Metals, Lynas, Polynovo, and St George Mining shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It is a mining exploration company. Its main focus is its Mt Alexander Project in Western Australia and The Araxá Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. 

The company has evolved from a traditional nickel and copper explorer into a diversified critical mineral focused company post the acquisition of 100% of the Araxá Project in February 2025. 

This transaction has allowed the company to strategically repositioned itself to capture value from the global energy transition.

Macquarie's report came after a visit to the Araxá project in Brazil. 

Here's what the broker had to say. 

Resource upside

In Macquarie's report, the broker said the visit to the Araxá project in Brazil highlighted recent drill success, further resource potential, and the advantages of a good location.

Macquarie believes Araxá is well-situated in an area endowed with existing infra and local mining /processing capabilities. It could become the next key niobium producer.

It highlighted that the company has reported multiple drilling updates with assay results highlighting thick niobium and rare earths interceptions from surface as part of its current 10,000-meter drilling program (due for completion in 1HCY26). 

Mineralisation remains open in all directions/at depth, with current drilling coverage representing less than 10% of the tenement area, presenting "significant upside potential for resource expansion.

Macquarie also said the drilling program could be extended.

Furthermore, Niobium processing is already well proven in the region, with CBMM (Brazilian mining company and the world's largest producer of niobium) having produced niobium for around 50 years using standard techniques such as wet grinding, magnetic separation and flotation. 

The company has also recruited team members with experience in rare earths and niobium processing. Macquarie believes this should further reduce development risk.

Pilot plant update

In the report, Macquarie also highlighted that in October, the company announced a partnership with CEFET.

CEFET is a government-funded technology institute.

The two have plans to build a large-scale pilot plant. 

This pilot-first strategy should allow this ASX mining stock to apply for environmental and operating approvals on a smaller, lower-impact facility, potentially speeding up approvals and providing more flexibility when selecting an eventual mine site.

The smaller footprint may enable a fast-tracked application process/flexibility for early stage mine site selection.

Price target upside

Based on this guidance, Macquarie has an outperform rating on this ASX mining stock. 

It also has a price target of $0.20. 

This indicates an upside of approximately 122% from yesterday's closing price of $0.09. 

The post Macquarie tips more than 120% upside for this ASX mining stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Overall, shares in this ASX rare earths stock have rocketed by 350% since the start of the year to $0.09 per share at the time of writing.

This compares with a 5.03% rise for the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) across the same period.

In essence, the company is focused on brining to production its Araxá rare earths and niobium project in Brazil.

Araxá already hosts a "world class" mineral resource containing 1.7 million tonnes of total rare earths oxide (TREO) and 280,000 tonnes of niobium.

It also features shallow free-digging mineralisation that could potentially support an open pit mining operation.

The company's ambition to build a mine received a boost in October through a major $72.5 million capital raise.

Notably, this cash injection was headlined by a strategic $22.5 million investment from mining billionaire Gina Rinehart via her Hancock Prospecting business.

The funds are now supporting a series of works designed to move Araxá closer to mining, including a mineral resource upgrade and economic evaluation.

And on Monday, the company released what it described as "exceptional" drill results that could underpin a significant increase to Araxá's resource base.

What happened?

St George has already reported a series of significant rare earths and niobium intercepts from ongoing resource expansion drilling at Araxá.

The ASX mining stock now appears to have added another string to its bow with the most recent results unveiled yesterday.

New assays included the thickest high-grade intercept drilled at the project so far, consisting of 115.65 metres at 3.34% TREO and 0.34% niobium.

The latest drilling also delivered 100.1m at 3.96% TREO and 0.40% niobium, as well as 79.7m at 3.69% TREO and 0.40% niobium.

Management believes the results showcase strong continuity of shallow and high-grade mineralisation over broad intervals.

In turn, these outcomes could potentially support a substantial increase in total tonnage and overall grade for Araxá's mineral resource.

St George Mining executive chairman, John Prineas, commented:

The Araxá Project is delivering exactly what we set out to achieve – consistent, high-grade results that expand the project's scale and strengthen our confidence in what already is an exceptional, world-class Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).

He added:

Drilling continues to deliver an extension of high-grade mineralisation to the west of the MRE footprint to demonstrate that the mineral system is open and extends beyond previously defined limits. We are excited about the pending results from further drilling completed in this area to the west of the MRE.

What next for the ASX mining stock?

The high-grade mineralisation at Araxá remains open in all directions, including at depth.

Results from a further 32 completed drill holes are expected later this year.

In addition, drilling at Araxá continues around the clock with another 25 holes scheduled for this year.

St George also plans to expand the drilling into 2026.

The post This soaring ASX mining stock backed by billionaire Gina Rinehart just unveiled "exceptional" news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Overall, they have risen from $0.02 per share in early January to $0.10 apiece at the time of writing.

This marks a spectacular 400% jump in less than a year.

For context, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has increased by about 3.7% during the same period.

A key catalyst for this ascent has been the company's pivot into rare earths.

At the start of 2025, the ASX mining stock locked in the acquisition of its Araxá rare earths and niobium project in Brazil.

Since then, results from a series of exploration works have propelled St George onto the radar.

In particular, the group reported several rich intercepts of rare earths and niobium from exploration drilling, while also delivering a maiden mineral resource estimate at the project.

And the potential of Araxá didn't go unnoticed amongst the movers and shakers of the mining industry.

Just last month, Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, headlined a $72.5 million capital raising designed to move Araxá closer to production.

Here, the mining tycoon invested $22.5 million in St George through her private company, Hancock Prospecting.

And so far, Rinehart's investment appears to be bearing fruit.

What happened?

This morning, St George announced that thick and high-grade rare earths and niobium drill intercepts at Araxá have continued to expand the mineralised envelope.

More specifically, results from the latest six drill holes have confirmed consistent, shallow, and rich mineralisation outside of the current mineral resource.

St George Executive Chairman, John Prineas, commented:

These drilling results are exceptional and highlight the unrivalled quality of the thick, high-grade mineralisation at our Araxá Project. Significantly, the mineralisation remains open laterally in all directions and at depth.

As things stand, the "world class" resource at Araxá contains 1.7 million tonnes of total rare earths oxide (TREO) and 280,000 tonnes of niobium.

According to St George, it is already the largest and highest-grade carbonatite-hosted rare earths resource in South America.

However, the ASX mining stock believes the latest drill results could now potentially support a large expansion of the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE).

Prineas added:

All resource expansion holes and resource definition holes have demonstrated consistent continuity and grade, giving us confidence that this drill campaign will transform the scale of the MRE, redefine the value of our company and further position St George as one of the leaders in the rare earths and niobium sectors.

What next for this ASX rare earths stock?

Results from another 29 holes that have already been drilled remain pending.

Furthermore, the drilling campaign is ongoing as three rigs pepper Araxá in search of rare earths and niobium mineralisation.

In total, 40 more holes are planned as part of the current program.

St George expects to release the drill results over the coming weeks.

The ASX mining stock is also targeting an upgraded resource estimate for Araxá by the first quarter of next year.

The post Up 400% in 2025! This Gina Rinehart-backed ASX rare earths stock just delivered some big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Both Australia and Japan have struck framework agreements with the US in past weeks, which aim to reduce the reliance of all three nations on minerals from China, which dominates global trade in rare earths.

The recent interest in rare earths, and hence rare earths company shares, came about after China added another five rare earth elements to the list of commodities covered by export controls, bringing the total number to 12.

But the critical minerals space is much wider than just rare earths, extending to commodities such as gallium, zircon and even aluminium.

Where to invest is the question

With companies at various stages of development and share prices bouncing around as the news cycle continues to generate interest, it's worthwhile considering what the experts over at Macquarie think about investing in the critical minerals sector.

In a research note released to their clients this week, Macquarie has tipped three companies to outperform, which are St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ), Meteoric Resources Ltd (ASX: MEI) and Image Resources (ASX: IMA).

On St George, a key differentiating factor, the Macquarie analysts said, was its "dual critical mineral exposure".

As they said:

St George's Araxá project could be the next niobium producer given it is located next to the world's largest niobium producer, CBMM. Its speed to market is enabled by the access to infrastructure, operational know-how, and a skilled workforce in a stable regulatory regime.

St George also has a suite of Western Australian assets where it is looking to develop lithium, cobalt and nickel operations.

Macquarie has a 12-month price target of 20 cents on St George shares, 82% higher than the closing price on Tuesday of 11 cents.

The Macquarie team like Meteoric Resources following the company ticking off several milestones over the September quarter, including a prefeasibility study, a $42.5 million capital raise and the start of their pilot plant production in Brazil, where commissioning is expected to start late this calendar year.

The company's managing director, Stuart Gale, said recently the company was "in an excellent position to capitalise on the significant momentum in the rare earth industry''.

Macquarie has a 12-month price target of 39 cents on Meteoric Resources shares, 95% higher than the closing price on Tuesday of 20 cents.

And on Image Resources, the Macquarie team said the mineral sands company's zircon interests were in the spotlight.

The company recently achieved first production at its Atlas project, and it had, "multiple development projects which could produce heavy mineral concentrate that contains zircon and titanium dioxide feedstock''.

Macquarie has a 12-month price target of 13 cents on Image Resources shares, 63% higher than the closing price on Tuesday of 8 cents.

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This year has been an incredible success story for the miner, which is reaping the benefits from an explosion of interest in rare earths stocks. The shares have soared 167.5% higher over the past 9 weeks alone. 

Two weeks ago, the shares spiked at a five-year high of 17 cents each. This was after institutional investors committed to raise $72.5 million via a placement at 10 cents per new share.

For the year, the shares are a whopping 435% higher. And analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) think there is plenty more upside to come.

The ASX mining stock is ready to soar

The broker revealed it has an outperform rating on St George Mining shares and a 20 cent target price. At the time of writing, that represents a potential 81.8% upside for investors over the next 12 months.

"Valuation: We derive our A$0.20ps target price by using 100% of 1.0x NPV. We attribute a 9.4% WACC (real) which is in line with our methodology for other rare earths developers in the region under our coverage," the broker said.

"Araxá project could be the next key Nb producer and generate strong returns with earnings from rare earths a bonus. We see material upside through exploration success, offtake funding, and accelerated development."

Multiple upside drivers for St George Mining shares

Macquarie said it sees the miner as an attractive explorer offering exposure to two critical minerals: niobium (Nb) and rare earths (REE). It added that the company also has appealing investment fundamentals.

"Araxá could be the next Nb producer given it is located next to the world's largest Nb producer, CBMM. Its speed to market is enabled by the access to infrastructure, operational know-how, and a skilled workforce in a stable regulatory regime," it told investors.

"The current 10km drilling program presents upside to Araxá's 41mt niobium resource with the M&I resource averaging 0.99% Nb₂O₅ and 4.13% TREO. Mosaic's nearby phosphate plant divestment could accelerate Araxá's development timeline. EPC contractor with potential funding support could uplift SGQ's operating leverage and return (+400% upside in a blue sky scenario)."

Meanwhile, when it comes to the miners appealing investment fundamentals, Macquarie said, "SGQ screens attractive for value given its ~0.65x Price/NAV. Araxá, ~30% IRR and EV/Resource (US$0.4/kg Nb equivalent and US$1.1/kg NdPr). Given Araxá enjoys a comparable Nb and NdPr grades to peers, potential value may be unlocked as the earlystage Araxá project advances through resource growth, metallurgical studies, and pilot plant operations."

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Firstly, it's hard to ignore the precious metals rally with gold and silver prices rocketing to all-time highs.

However, trade tensions between China and the US cast an even brighter light on rare earths.

These 17 elements play a key role in a wide array of modern-day industries such as clean energy, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics.

And China dominates the world's supply chain.

According to the International Energy Agency, it accounts for 60% of production and more than 90% of rare earths refining worldwide.

This supply squeeze came into focus after China expanded its rare earths export controls earlier in the week.

In a nutshell, it added five more elements to its restricted list to lift the total to 12.

Notably, the US relies on China for about 70% of its rare earth imports, according to the US Geological Survey.

In response, President Trump threatened to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese products.

And subsequent media reports on Friday suggested that the Trump administration was considering buying into Australian rare earths projects to shore up supplies.

Broadly speaking, this thematic has been unfolding for several years.

And investors such as Gina Rinehart – one of the world's richest women – have been investing in ASX mining companies with rare earths projects outside of China.

Below we present four soaring ASX rare earths stocks backed directly by Gina Rinehart, or through her privately-owned business Hancock Prospecting.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

Lynas is the leading rare earths stock on the ASX with a market capitalisation of more than $20 billion.

It owns the Mt Weld mine in Western Australia, considered one of the most significant rare earths deposits in the world.

In Malaysia, the company also operates one of the biggest rare earths processing facilities outside of China.

Rinehart first commenced buying Lynas shares in early 2024.

Today, she owns 8.2% of the company, valued at about $1.7 billion.

Lynas shares have rocketed by 195% since the start of the year.

Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: ARU)

Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting forked out $60 million to acquire a 10% interest in Arafura in late 2022.

This placement was designed to fat-track the company's Nolans project in the Northern Territory towards mining.

Fast forward to today and Arafura remains in the final phase of financing Nolan's development.

The ASX rare earths stock has so far secured more than US$1 billion in conditional debt funding. It has also signed offtake agreements with several major global partners.

Today, Reinhart holds a 9.4% stake in the company worth about $120 million.

Arafura's shares have jumped by 238% since the start of the year.

Brazilian Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: BRE)

Brazilian Rare Earths is a mineral exploration business targeting district-scale rare earths discoveries in north-eastern Brazil.

The company is a relative novice on the ASX, having only listed on our bourse in December 2023 as part of an initial public offering (IPO).

Hancock Prospecting has been an investor since before the IPO.

Today, the company continues to advance its Rocha da Rocha project. So far, it has discovered numerous rare earths deposits across its tenure which remains largely unexplored.

This week, the group secured commitments to raise $120 million to advance the project.

Since the start of January, shares in this ASX rare earths stock have risen by 147% to $5.68 apiece at Friday's close.

Rinehart's stake in the company is reportedly 5%. This equates to more than $30 million in value.

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

On Monday, St George Mining secured $72.5 million in funding to move its Araxá rare earths and niobium project in Brazil closer to production.

Headlining this capital raise was a $22.5 million investment from Hancock Prospecting.

According to St George, Araxá holds a "world class" mineral resource with potential for further growth. It also shows favourable characteristics for a potential mining operation.

The cash injection will now support a host of works designed to advance the project, including a mineral resource upgrade, permitting, metallurgical test work, and economic assessment.

Shares in St George are up by a stunning 550% so far this year.

The post Interested in rare earths? Mining tycoon Gina Rinehart owns shares in these 4 surging ASX companies appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in this little-known ASX rare earths stock have soared by a stunning 575% since the start of January to close out Monday at $0.135 apiece.

And the latest catalyst for this surge came from a bumper investment from one of the richest women in the world, Gina Rinehart.

On Monday, St George announced that it had secured $72.5 million in funding to move its Araxá rare earths and niobium project in Brazil closer to production.

Firstly, it raised $50 million via an institutional placement predominantly from European and North American investment funds.

And secondly, it cemented Hancock Prospecting as a strategic investor.

Spearheaded by Gina Reinhart, Hancock Prospecting is an Aussie mining icon best known for its iron ore mining empire in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

However, in recent years it has been diversifying into other modern-day commodities such as lithium and rare earths, alongside mass-scale beef production.

Hancock's strategic $22.5 million investment in St George appears to imply a vote of confidence for the potential of bringing Araxá to production.

Let's take a closer look at what makes this ASX rare earths stock so compelling.

Strategic potential

According to the company, Araxá represents a globally significant niobium and rare earths deposit.

The project holds a "world class" mineral resource containing 280,000 tonnes of niobium and 1.7 million tonnes of total rare earths oxide (TREO).

The deposit also shows favourable characteristics for a potential mining operation.

More specifically, it hosts free-digging mineralisation starting from surface which could support an open-pit mine.

Management also pointed to the potential for further resource growth.

For instance, a recently launched expansion drilling campaign discovered a new high-grade rare earths zone about one kilometre away from the existing resource.

And more broadly, the mineralisation remains open in all directions.

For example, mineralisation intercepted at depths below 100m has not yet been included in the current resource estimate.

Meanwhile, the project lies in an infrastructure-rich mining district known as Minas Gerais, which could help fast-track its development.

St George has already negotiated government support for expedited project approvals as it looks to drive the project towards mining.

Finally, the mineralised system at Araxá is hard-rock carbonatite style.

In other words, it's geologically akin to the only two major rare earths mines outside of China, including Mt Weld in Western Australia operated by Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC).

So what?

The $75 million cash injection will enable St George to conduct a host of works required to advance Araxá closer to production.

These include an upgrade of the mineral resource, permitting, metallurgical test work, and economic assessment.

Reinhart's investment in this ASX rare earths stock also adds to a flurry of other eye-catching news in the sector.

Most notably, China recently expanded its rare earths export controls by adding five more elements to its restricted list.

In essence, rare earths are a group of 17 elements critical for a host of new-age industries such as clean energy and electric vehicles.

And China dominates the global market by producing more than 90% of the world's processed rare earths and rare earth magnets. 

All up, export of 12 rare earths is now restricted out of China.

In response, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese products.

This tit-for-tat helped push ASX rare earths stock higher in Monday's trading, including Lynas which hit a new 12-month peak.

Shares in St George also surged by 17% on Monday.

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At the time of writing, the ASX rare earths stock is up 30% to a multi-year high of 15 cents.

Why is this ASX rare earths stock rocketing?

Investors have been bidding St George Mining shares higher today for a couple of reasons.

One is a broad rally in the rare earths industry after the US responded to China's curbs on rare earths exports.

Another catalyst has been the big news that the ASX rare earths stock has received firm commitments from institutional investors to raise $72.5 million via a placement at 10 cents per new share.

This comprises a $50 million placement led by major North American and European funds and a $22.5 million strategic placement to Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting.

St George Mining is raising capital to advance the rare earths and niobium focused Araxa Project in Brazil. It notes that funding will be applied towards an upgrade of the mineral resource estimate, project permitting, metallurgical test work, feasibility study work, and deferred cash consideration payable to Itafos Inc.

The Araxa Project

The Araxa Project is the largest and highest-grade carbonatite-hosted rare earths elements (REE) resource in South America and the second-highest grade REE resource in the Western world.

This certainly is a nice spot to be in. The company highlights that niobium supply security is at risk. It points out that the US Department of Interior assessed that loss of foreign supply of niobium would cause the second-biggest deficit in US GDP by all critical minerals, which highlights the strategic importance of the world-class niobium resource at Araxa.

In response to the news, the ASX rare earths stock's executive chairman, John Prineas, said:

We are delighted with the strong support received from local and overseas institutional investors who recognise the enormous potential of our high-grade rare earths and niobium project at Araxá. We are also very pleased that Hancock Prospecting has chosen to increase its existing shareholding in St George and emerge as a substantial shareholder.

Hancock Prospecting is a company with significant experience in recognising the value in strategic commodities and backing successful critical minerals companies including MP Materials and Lynas Corporation – as well as having significant project execution and delivery experience for St George to leverage off in the future.

We believe the Araxá Project has the potential to be developed under an accelerated timeline to become one of the few next-generation rare earths and niobium producers worldwide, something investors are wanting to be part of.

The post This ASX rare earths stock is up 30% on massive news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here's why they are rising:

Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL)

The Bellevue Gold share price is up 5% to $1.24. Investors have been buying this gold miner's shares following the release of drilling results this morning. Management notes that recent high-grade drilling results continue to reinforce its outlook for increasing grades through FY 2026 and FY 2027. It adds: "Deacon North is scheduled to deliver first ore in late FY26 and represents the largest high-grade mining area within the Bellevue Gold Project. The area is a northern continuation of the Deacon Main orebody and will be a major contributor to production over the next five years."

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)

The Lynas Rare Earths share price is up 7.5% to $21.30. Investors have been scrambling to buy rare earths shares again on Monday. The catalyst for this has been escalating trade tensions between the US and China after the latter announced plans to restrict exports of rare earths. The US responded by threatening to put 100% tariffs on China. Whatever happens, the market appears to believe that higher rare earth prices are here to stay.

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is up 26% to 14.5 cents. This follows news that the rare earths and niobium developer has received firm commitments to raise $72.5 million via a placement to institutional investors. This includes a $22.5 million placement to Hancock Prospecting. Funding will be applied towards an upgrade of the mineral resource estimate at the Araxa Project, project permitting, metallurgical test work including pilot plant development, and feasibility study work. St George Mining's executive chairman, John Prineas, said: "We are delighted with the strong support received from local and overseas institutional investors who recognise the enormous potential of our high-grade rare earths and niobium project at Araxa."

Syrah Resources Ltd (ASX: SYR)

The Syrah Resources share price is up 5% to 43.7 cents. Investors have been buying this graphite producer's shares in recent sessions in response to news that China is putting export controls on graphite. The team at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) believes this is a re-rating catalyst and upgraded Syrah's shares to an outperform rating with a 70 cents price target. The broker said: "We believe this restriction is a material positive event for SYR as it is uniquely positioned, boasting one of the world's largest natural graphite operations with production capacity of ~350ktpa and an 11.25ktpa AAM Vidalia facility that is ramping up. We see this as a re-rating event that is comparable to LYC and MP Materials."

The post Why Bellevue Gold, Lynas, St George Mining, and Syrah shares are charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here's why they are falling:

Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)

The Brainchip share price is down 14% to 32.2 cents. Investors have been hitting the sell button today after the semiconductor company revealed plans to raise more capital through a put option agreement with LDA Capital. Total funding available under the agreement has increased by $37 million to $140 million, of which the company has drawn approximately $68 million in gross proceeds since inception in August 2020. This news appears to indicate that the company is not expecting to be pulling in meaningful revenue any time soon. Particularly given that it recently raised $20 million through a capital raising. Brainchip's CEO, Sean Hehir, said: "With the growing momentum of our 2nd generation Akida products, and our exceptional TENNS solutions which excel in streaming data at the edge, we recognise the need to accelerate investments to drive growth and solidify our market leadership."

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

The Fortescue share price is down over 3% to $17.48. This is despite there being no news out of the iron ore miner. But with iron ore prices coming under pressure in recent sessions, it seems that some investors are jumping ship. The S&P/ASX 200 Resources index is down approximately 0.5% at the time of writing and weighing heavily on the performance of the ASX 200 index as a whole.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is down 7% to $2.84. This may have been driven by profit taking from some investors after the biotechnology company's shares rocketed in 2024. For example, even after today's sizeable pullback, the Mesoblast share price is up approximately 900% since this time last year. Investors have been buying its shares amid excitement over its stem cell therapies. One of which has just been approved by US regulators at long last.

St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ)

The St George Mining share price is down 18% to 2.05 cents. This morning, this mineral exploration company announced that it has received firm commitments to raise $20 million. The proceeds will be used to fund the acquisition costs, exploration expenses, and working capital for the Araxa niobium-REE Project in Brazil. St George Mining's executive chairman, John Prineas, said: "We are delighted to be able to announce that funding for the acquisition of the Araxá Project has been arranged, with very strong investor interest for our $20 million raise. We thank our shareholders for their patience as we work towards concluding this transformative acquisition for our Company."

The post Why Brainchip, Fortescue, Mesoblast, and St George Mining shares are falling appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In morning trade, the ASX mining stock is up 40% to 3.5 cents.

Why is this ASX mining stock rocketing?

Investors have been fighting to get hold of the niobium explorer's shares this morning after it released an update on its proposed acquisition of the advanced, high-grade niobium-REE Araxa Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

According to the release, the company has become aware of "misinformation circulating in online chat rooms and social media regarding Araxa."

It notes that this misinformation "claims that an active tailings dam is located within the Project area and that significant high-grade mineralisation discovered at the Project is beneath the tailings dam."

However, it advised that this information is "false and not correct."

The response

The ASX mining stock advised that Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao (CBMM), which supplies more than 80% of the world's niobium from mining operations near the project, operated a tailings dam (Dam B4) until 1985 on tenement 832.150/1989 that forms part of the project.

However, this is not where the drilling intercepts are located, so has no bearing on its project expectations. It explains:

The significant niobium intersections at the Project – being more than 500 intercepts of greater than 1% Nb2O5 – that St George will use to underpin a potential maiden JORC compliant mineral resource are located on tenement 831.972/1985. Any JORC compliant mineral resource will not extend into the tenement that hosts historical Dam B4, located on tenement 832.150/1989. No other tailings dams – neither historical nor presently active – are within the Project area or proximal to the Project.

Advice from highly credentialled, independent technical consultants indicates that an open-pit mining operation could be established on tenement 831.972/1985 with no impediments posed by the rehabilitated Dam B4.

The ASX mining stock also advised that it believes the location of Dam B4 will not impact open-pit mining operations at the project. It adds:

Subject to completion of final geological studies, we believe an open-pit mining operation will be possible. The potential for establishing an open-pit mine was considered by independent engineering firm and dam specialists, Terracota Consultoria e Projetos in a report prepared for Itafos in 2021. The conclusion was that the implementation of open-pit mining would not change significantly any of the dam safety factors. A further detailed geotechnical study will be required to progress to a mining operation. This study is underway and is being conducted by Walm Engenharia.

Judging by the way St George Mining's shares are rocketing today, it seems that the market is more than satisfied with its response.

The post Guess which ASX mining stock is surging 40% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In early trade, the ASX mining stock rocketed over 30% to a 52-week high of 4.5 cents.

Why is this ASX mining stock rocketing?

Investors have been scrambling to buy the mineral exploration company's shares on Tuesday after it announced a promising acquisition.

According to the release, St George Mining has entered into a binding conditional agreement to acquire Itafos Araxa Mineracao E Fertilizantes for a total of US$21 million. It is the owner of the advanced niobium-rare earth elements (REE) Araxa Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The company advised that the Araxa Project Project is immediately adjacent to, and within the same carbonatite complex as, the niobium mine of CBMM that produces approximately 80% of the world's niobium.

Niobium is a critical metal with unique properties that make it essential as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy.

The primary niobium product is Ferroniobium (FeNb, ~65% Nb), which accounted for 105,000 tonnes of sales in 2022 according to WA1 Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1). This represents approximately 90% of niobium product sales.

Ferroniobium is primarily used as a micro alloy in the steel industry to improve the mechanical properties of steel. But there's also niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5), which WA1 highlights as a key growth market.

'A tremendous opportunity'

St George Mining's executive chairman, John Prineas, was very pleased with the deal. He said:

The Araxa Project is located in the world's 'dress circle' for niobium production and presents a tremendous opportunity for St George to become a global player in the niobium market. Extensive high-grade niobium mineralisation has already been discovered at the Project – with more than 500 intercepts of niobium grades above 1% – providing a strong foundation for St George to quickly progress to potential resource definition. In addition to niobium, high-grade rare earths mineralisation has been confirmed by drilling over a widespread area.

Strong drilling results

The ASX mining stock revealed that historical drilling at the Araxa Project has defined extensive high grade niobium, REE, and phosphate mineralisation.

This includes more than 500 intercepts of high-grade niobium, as well as ultra-high grades up to 8% Nb2O5, 33% TREO and 32% P2O5.

Importantly, the mineralisation is commencing from the surface and is open in all directions.

In light of this, management believes there is "outstanding opportunity for St George to define a globally significant niobium-REE resource."

Capital raising

St George revealed that it has received firm commitments from investors to raise new funds of A$21.25 million to put towards acquisition costs, exploration expenses, and working capital.

These funds are being raised at the dirt cheap price of 2.5 cents per new share. This represents a discount of 44% to the ASX mining stock's intraday high on Tuesday.

The post Why is this ASX mining stock rocketing 30% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) remains slightly in the red during the Friday lunch hours, investors are rewarding these mining stocks after they both announced promising new discoveries.

One involves lithium, and the other platinum group elements (PGE).

So, without further ado…

ASX mining share leaps higher on lithium intersection

The first ASX mining stock that's surging today is St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ), with shares up 8.3%.

This comes after the explorer confirmed it has intersected more high-grade lithium in rock chip samples, with up to 3.25% Li2O, at its Mt Alexander Project in Western Australia.

St George said that this first drilling at the Jailbreak Prospect confirms that lithium-bearing pegmatites extend below surface.

The reverse circulation (RC) drilling is the first phase of the ASX mining share's drill program at the Jailbreak Prospect. A diamond drill rig is scheduled to arrive within days to test for deeper extensions to the mineralised pegmatites.

Commenting on the results, St George Mining's executive chairman, John Prineas said:

The latest assays for rock chip samples have delivered our highest-grade lithium values at Jailbreak, providing further validation of the potential for pegmatite-hosted lithium mineralisation at Mt Alexander. Significantly, the high-grade assays now extend across five pegmatites mapped across a broad area.

Which brings us to the second ASX mining share that's flying higher today.

Palladium and platinum grab investor interest 

The Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) share price is up 14.5% after the miner reported on the final assays from the June RC drill campaign at its Moora Project located in Western Australia.

According to the release, the results from the final RC holes confirmed the potential of the Moora Project to host palladium and platinum mineralisation.

Minerals 260 said it's on track to commence a 10,000 to 15,000 metre drilling program by mid-November.

Commenting on PGE results sending the ASX mining share higher today, managing director David Richards said:

We have always been confident that the Moora and Koojan Projects are prospective for PGE mineralisation analogous to that discovered further south in the Julimar Mineral Province. The intersection of highly anomalous PGE and copper values coincident with a large gravity high confirms this view.

The post 2 ASX mining shares surging higher on new discoveries appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Following the announcement of high-grade lithium results, the St George Mining share price is up a whopping 25% in morning trade.

Here's what the ASX lithium share reported.

What's driving investor interest in the ASX lithium share?

The St George Mining share price is rocketing after the miner reported rock chip assays confirming the presence of up to 2.7% Li2O at its joint venture Mt Alexander project, located in Western Australia.

The assays come from the first batch of 10 selective rock chip samples the ASX lithium share submitted for laboratory assay.

St George has a 75% interest in the project area and is the project manager. Mining giant IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) holds the other 25%.

Atop the confirmation of high-grade lithium at the site, the ASX lithium share looks to be getting a boost from the report that its field mapping has identified a "significant extension" of the outcropping pegmatites that contain visible lithium minerals.

The high levels of caesium, tantalum, and rubidium returned in the results are also often associated with significant lithium deposits at depth.

Commenting on the assays, St George Mining's executive chairman John Prineas said:

The grades and scale we are seeing appears to confirm that we are exploring a highly prospective pegmatite hosted lithium mineral system in its early stage of evaluation.

Our lithium bearing pegmatites are located in the same corridor parallel to the Copperfield Granite where Red Dirt Metals (ASX: RDT) has announced significant lithium discoveries and flagged a pending maiden mineral resource. Zenith Minerals (ASX: ZNC) has also announced on 11 October 2022 the commencement of drilling of prospective pegmatites at its Mt Ida North Lithium Project, north-east of our lithium-bearing pegmatites.

Additional rock chip and soil sampling assays are pending, and St George aims to commence drilling later this month or early November.

St George Mining share price snapshot

Despite today's big lift, the ASX lithium share remains down 30% in 2022. That compares to a year-to-date loss of 14% posted by the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO).

The post Guess which ASX lithium share is rocketing 25% on a new, high-grade discovery appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.