Australia's Hancock Completes 9 Mining Investments in One Year, Doubling Down on Rare Earths, Copper and Other Critical Minerals
en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 17, Australia's Hancock Prospecting has disclosed nine mining and metals investments over the past year or so, extending its investment scope from traditional iron ore further into rare earths, copper, gallium, antimony and precious metals. The latest deal is an A$8.77 million investment in Australian explorer White Cliff Minerals for an approximately 13.5% stake, marking its entry into the Rae copper project in Nunavut, Canada. The subscription covers approximately 515.8 million shares at A$0.017 per share, and the transaction still requires approval from White Cliff shareholders.
In the rare earths sector, Hancock participated in Arafura Rare Earths' financing in October 2025, initially investing A$125 million and subsequently increasing its stake. In May 2026, when Arafura conducted a A$375 million financing, Hancock invested a further A$85 million, raising its shareholding from approximately 15.5% to approximately 17.5%. Arafura is developing the Nolans rare earths mine and separation project in Australia's Northern Territory, which reached a development decision in May 2026.
Hancock also invested in the Araxá rare earths-niobium project in Brazil. Its portfolio company St George Mining completed a A$60 million financing in June 2026, of which Hancock subscribed A$20 million, resulting in an approximately 10.5% stake after the transaction. The new funds are primarily earmarked for drilling, resource expansion, metallurgical testwork and development studies at the Araxá project.
In the North American market, Hancock disclosed in May 2026 that it held approximately 1.25 million shares in Rare Earths Americas, corresponding to an approximately 6.26% interest, with an initial investment value of approximately US$22.8 million. The company is advancing rare earths projects in the United States and Brazil. Hancock previously also held stakes in US-based MP Materials and Australia's Lynas Rare Earths, forming an equity investment portfolio spanning multiple rare earths developers.
Beyond rare earths, Hancock invested A$7.95 million in G50 Corp. in July this year, acquiring an approximately 5.4% interest. G50 is advancing the Golconda project in Arizona, United States, and developing the White Caps project in Nevada. The new funds will be used for drilling, geological work and gallium metallurgical testing at the Golconda project.
Copper resources are also a recently added investment direction. The A$8.77 million investment in White Cliff will be primarily used for the Rae copper project in Canada, including step-out drilling at the Danvers discovery zone and testing of other regional targets. White Cliff plans to hold a general meeting on October 19 to consider the transaction.
Hancock has also adjusted its other mining asset allocations. The company recently increased its holdings in copper producer Hudbay Minerals while exiting its listed shares in Chilean lithium producer SQM. However, Hancock's cooperation with SQM on the Andover lithium project in Western Australia continues to advance. The project is planned to process approximately 6 million tonnes of ore per year and produce up to approximately 1.1 million tonnes of lithium concentrate, with a planned construction period of approximately two years.
Over the past year, Hancock's new or expanded investments have covered multiple minerals including rare earths, niobium, copper, gallium, lithium and precious metals. Among them, Arafura's Nolans project has entered the development stage, while assets such as Araxá, Rae and Golconda remain primarily focused on drilling, resource expansion and metallurgical testing, with each project currently at a different stage.
