Rare earths

Beyond Lithium Inc. is rebranding as Beyond Minerals Inc. effective February 6, 2026, to reflect an expanded exploration strategy for critical minerals beyond lithium, including rare earths. The company’s ticker symbols remain unchanged, but new CUSIP and ISIN identifiers will be issued. Lawrence Tsang, an experienced mineral exploration professional, has joined the board of directors to bolster technical capabilities. This strategic pivot aims to capitalize on growing demand for a diverse range of minerals essential for future technologies.

Tech investors are increasingly interested in Greenland’s critical and rare earth minerals amid heightened US interest in the Arctic island. Companies like Critical Metals Corp and Amaroq are seeing investor “buzz” due to the strategic importance of these minerals for advanced technologies and defense, as well as global supply chain vulnerabilities. While exploration is underway, experts suggest it will take a decade for Greenland’s resources to significantly impact Western dependence on China.

Neotech Metals’ Hecla-Kilmer project in Ontario features a unique rare earth system predominantly hosted within apatite. An independent study confirmed up to 98% of rare earths reside in apatite, which constitutes a significant portion of the rock. This apatite-hosted mineralization suggests more efficient and cost-effective extraction due to favorable leachability and liberation rates. This distinctive profile positions Hecla-Kilmer for a potential Maiden Resource Estimate in 2026.

SMX (NASDAQ: SMX) markets a universal material‑identity engine that links gold, rare‑earths, digital‑asset platforms and ESG compliance. The platform preserves provenance from extraction to transformation, enabling the Plastic Cycle Token and auditable lifecycle data. Recent announcements triggered a 138% intraday surge, though the stock remains below its 200‑day moving average. Investors are watching adoption in precious‑metal and mineral supply chains, token issuance, and regulatory approvals. Risks include integration challenges, regulatory adoption, capital needs and competition.

SMX (NASDAQ: SMX) unveiled a molecular‑level identity system that embeds traceability into minerals, surviving smelting, blending, alloying and recycling. Pilot projects with Goldstrom, trueGold and CARTIF demonstrated verification for gold and rare‑earths. The company secured a $111.5 million equity purchase agreement to scale global deployment, aiming to enable verified materials to command premiums, expedite customs clearance and lower regulatory risk. Success hinges on rapid industry adoption; sluggish uptake could limit impact and keep unverified materials discounted.

Australian critical minerals and rare earths companies surged after a new US-Australia agreement to bolster essential material supply chains for defense and energy security. The deal, potentially worth $8.5 billion, spurred stock increases in companies like Lynas Rare Earths, Iluka Resources, and Pilbara Minerals. Smaller miners also saw significant gains. Alcoa, developing a gallium project in Western Australia, received a US equity investment commitment. The agreement aims to diversify sourcing amid concerns over China’s dominance and supply chain vulnerabilities. The US Export-Import Bank will also issue letters of interest for financing.