Rare Earth Elements

Meryllion Resources granted 8.4 million stock options to officers, directors, and consultants on January 28, 2026. Each option allows purchase of a common share at $0.08, vesting immediately but subject to a four-month hold. These incentives aim to align key personnel with shareholder interests and support the company’s exploration stage projects in Nevada and Tasmania.

Tsodilo Resources has confirmed significant skarn-hosted critical mineral and rare earth element (REE) mineralization at its Gcwihaba project in Botswana. Initial drilling intersected REEs, including high-grade neodymium and praseodymium, vital for electric vehicles and renewable energy. The project boasts a conceptual target of 81-97 million tonnes and hosts numerous critical minerals. A 15,000-meter drilling program in 2026 aims to define resources and support a mineral resource statement.

Tactical Resources Corp. has secured final court approval for its business combination with Plum Acquisition Corp. III, paving the way for a Nasdaq listing in Q1 2026. This strategic move, overwhelmingly supported by shareholders, aims to enhance liquidity and visibility for the company’s focus on U.S.-based rare earth elements, vital for advanced industries and national security. A portion of new shares will be subject to a six-month lock-up. The company will delist from the TSXV upon completion.

words.Century Lithium reported that laboratory tests at its Angel Island lithium project in Nevada can recover more than 97 % of rare‑earth elements (REEs) from primary leach solutions without affecting lithium extraction. The ion‑exchange process selectively captures REEs such as dysprosium, neodymium and scandium, offering a valuable by‑product that could boost the project’s economics and align with U.S. goals for domestic critical‑metal supply. The company will now optimize performance, scale REE processing, explore commercial partnerships, and quantify the economic impact of this dual‑output operation.

AI stocks rebounded Monday, led by Nvidia, Broadcom, and Microsoft, as investors focused on long-term growth despite valuation concerns. Sentiment shifted towards future earnings potential. The market anticipates a potential end to the U.S. government shutdown, further boosting optimism. However, CoreWeave’s mixed earnings highlight profitability challenges in AI infrastructure. Putin ordered accelerating rare earth metal production in Russia, which has the world’s fifth-largest reserves.

China has eased export restrictions on critical minerals and rare earth elements, a move seen as a result of recent US-China talks. The one-year suspension, effective after October 9th, impacts materials used in military hardware, semiconductors, and advanced technology. This includes gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite and synthetic diamonds. The US has reciprocated by reducing tariffs and postponing the blacklisting of Chinese subsidiaries. Analysts believe China aims to stabilize its economy and project reliability in the global trading system.

The markets experienced volatility due to geopolitical events, economic data, and Big Tech earnings. Trump and Xi agreed on rare earths, trade, and fentanyl. The Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points but tempered expectations for future cuts. Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft beat earnings estimates, signaling increased capital expenditure driven by AI demand, alleviating fears of a dot-com bubble. Trump’s rare earth deals aim to challenge China’s dominance but face significant hurdles.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent accuses China of predatory rare earth pricing, prompting consideration of industrial policy, including price floors. Major U.S. banks reported strong earnings, contrasting trade uncertainty. Despite Trump’s trade stance, markets showed resilience, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gaining. Investors are watching upcoming tech earnings from Tesla and Intel for trade war impacts. Separately, Abu Dhabi’s MGX investments, including in crypto and TikTok, have drawn attention, particularly concerning links to the Trump family.