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Top 5 Australian Mining Stocks This Week: Highfield Climbs Amid Spiking Fertilizer Prices

HFR, BSX, XJO, USC, TAS, EDE, CNJ, IVZ

Welcome to the Investing News Network's weekly round-up of the top-performing mining stocks listed on the ASX, starting with news in Australia's resource sector.This week’s list highlights mineral companies across a range of commodities impacted by the ongoing war, led by potash company Highfield Resources (ASX:HFR) as the top gainer.The top mining stocks list also has a strong presence from copper and critical minerals companies, including Blackstone Minerals (ASX:BSX), which announced that a cease and desist order at its Mankayan copper-gold project has been lifted.Read on to discover this week's top gaining Australian mining stocks on the ASX and what drove their share prices. Market and commodities price round-up The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) opened at 8,912.80 on Monday (April 13) and closed at 8,955.00 on Thursday (April 16), reflecting a 1.49 percent increase over the period. Gold and silver prices rose in US dollars and slightly dipped in Australian dollars this week. The yellow metal decreased 1.02 percent from US$4,672.80 on Monday to US$4,720.37 by Thursday's close of Australian markets. Meanwhile, it decreased a 0.98 percent in Australian dollars, moving from AU$6,768.54 to AU$6,702.08.Silver jumped 1.38 percent in US dollars from US$73.05 on Monday to US$74.06 on Thursday. In Australian dollars, the metal lowered just 0.53 percent from AU$105.71 to AU$105.15.Gold and silver prices both rose this week as of the close of Australian markets Thursday. In US dollars, the gold price increased 1.86 percent from US$4,748.07 on Monday to US$4,836.15 by Thursday, and it rose 0.18 percent in Australian dollars, moving from AU$6,717.37 to AU$6,729.44.Silver posted larger increases, rising 6.48 percent in US dollars from US$75.81 on Monday to US$80.72 on Thursday. In Australian dollars, the metal saw a smaller 4.72 percent increase from AU$107.26 to AU$112.32. ​Top ASX mining stocks this week How did ASX mining stocks perform against this backdrop?Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Australian mining stocks below as the Investing News Network breaks down their operations and why these companies are up this week.Stocks data for this article was retrieved using TradingView's stock screener and reflects price movements between the first trading day of the week and Thursday. Only companies trading on the ASX with market capitalisations greater than AU$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered. ​1. Highfield Resources (ASX:HFR) Weekly gain: 79.17 percentMarket cap: AU$12.33 millionShare price: AU$0.43Highfield Resources is a potash developer with headquarters in Pamplona, Spain, and a registered office in South Australia. The company's flagship asset is the Muga potash project in Spain’s Ebro Basin, spanning 46 square kilometres in the provinces of Navarra and Aragón in the country’s north. Muga is construction-ready, with planned Phase 1 production of 500,000 tonnes of muriate of potash per year. According to Navarra President Maria Chivite, the project is the largest in Spain, with an investment of 150 million euros to its name. Muga is currently stalled, awaiting a decision from the Spanish Supreme Court on an administrative matter with the Goyo permit. Highfield secured AU$10 million in October 2025, which it can access in staged drawdowns. It plans to use it in part to address the legal situation and to reengage with strategic partners connected to Muga. The company reported AU$3.47 million in cash on hand in its 2025 Annual Report released on March 27. In the report, Executive Director Carles Alemán stated, “Looking forward, our priorities remain clear: resolving the administrative matter pertaining to the Goyo permit, securing the investment required for the construction of Muga, and continuing to strengthen our relationships with public institutions, partners and local communities.” While no updates on the court case have been shared in 2026, the increase in the company’s shares is likely attuned to rising potash prices as the conflict in the Middle East hits the global fertilizer market. After closing at AU$0.024 last week, shares of Highfield Resources climbed to a peak of AU$0.043 on Thursday. ​2. US1 Critical Minerals (ASX:USC) Weekly gain: 63.64 percentMarket cap: AU$14.46 millionShare price: AU$0.018Headquartered in Sydney, US1 Critical Minerals is a critical minerals company focused on rare earths and uranium in the US and Tanzania, respectively.The company changed its name from Gladiator Resources to US1 Critical Minerals in late 2025 as part of its transition to rare earth projects in the US, which came in response to the US Trump administration’s focus on domestic critical mineral supply chains.US1’s uranium portfolio includes the Mkuju project, at which the Likuyu North deposit holds a resource of 4.6 million pounds uranium oxide at an average grade of 267 parts per million uranium oxide.No further project or corporate updates have been shared this April. However, US1 is currently undertaking a lawsuit against Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR,OTCQB:DTREF) and its CEO Stephen Baghdadi over the rights to certain rare earth tenements in California, US.The final hearing is scheduled to begin Monday, April 20.Shares of US1 closed last Friday at AU$0.011, then climbed to this week’s peak of AU$0.018 on Thursday. ​3. Tasman Resources (ASX:TAS) Weekly gain: 57.14 percentMarket cap: AU$26.39 millionShare price: AU$0.066Tasman Resources is a Perth-based polymetallic exploration company focusing on projects with a variety of metals including gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, nickel and uranium.The company’s key assets include the Lake Torrens iron-oxide-copper-gold project and its wholly owned Parkinson Dam epithermal gold-silver project, both located in South Australia. A subsidiary of Fortescue is funding Lake Torrens through an earn-in agreement; it currently holds a 51 percent interest in the project and is aiming to secure up to an 80 percent interest through AU$11 million in sole funding.In addition to its exploration portfolio, Tasman also holds strategic investments in clean technology company Eden Innovations (ASX:EDE) and nickel-cobalt developer Conico (ASX:CNJ).While no updates were published by the company this week, on March 12, the company released updates for Lake Torren’s Titan West prospect and the Parkinson Dam project, including plans for upcoming drilling programs.At Titan West, Fortescue reported that Aboriginal Heritage clearance surveys are scheduled for March through early April, with drilling expected to begin in mid-2026 pending their success.Meanwhile, at Parkinson Dam, Tasman is awaiting approval to begin its own heritage clearance surveys. If successfully completed, the company will undertake its planned drilling program at six identified targets. Tasman noted it was told it could take up to three months before a date can be scheduled. Shares of Tasman closed last week and Monday at AU$0.042, then climbing steeply through the week to a close of AU$0.066 on Thursday. ​4. Invictus Energy (ASX:IVZ) Weekly gain: 46.43 percentMarket cap: AU$104.23 millionShare price: AU$0.082Invictus Energy is an Australia-based upstream oil and gas company focused on developing energy assets in sub-Saharan Africa, with its flagship Cabora Bassa project located in Zimbabwe.The company holds an 80 percent interest in the 360,000 hectare project, which includes the Mukuyu gas field discovery alongside multiple exploration targets. According to Invictus, the Cabora Bassa basin is considered “one of the last untested large frontier rift basins in onshore Africa.”Last Friday, April 10, Invictus announced that it had secured renewal of its environmental impact assessment from Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency, extending its validity through March 2027.The approval allows the company to continue activities including drilling, seismic acquisition and well testing across the Cabora Bassa project.The company also noted that the review stage of the Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement process has been completed, with execution expected in April. This agreement is set to establish a stable legal and fiscal framework for petroleum operations in Zimbabwe, a key milestone for advancing development plans.The release provided upward momentum for Invictus’ share price. Shares of Invictus Energy closed at AU$0.056 last week, then climbed to this week’s high of AU$0.082 on Thursday. ​5. Blackstone Minerals (ASX:BSX) Weekly gain: 40.54 percentMarket cap: AU$88.69 millionShare price: AU$0.052Blackstone Minerals is an Australia-based battery metals developer focused on advancing its flagship Mankayan copper-gold project in the Philippines, alongside its broader strategy to build a vertically integrated nickel and battery materials business.The Mankayan project is a large-scale, high-grade porphyry system with an established mineral resource containing copper, gold and silver. It has a JORC resource of 793 million tonnes at 0.65 percent copper equivalent, containing 2.8 million tonnes copper, 9.7 million ounces gold and 20.4 million ounces silver.On Tuesday (April 14), Blackstone announced that a previously imposed cease and desist order at Mankayan has been lifted, allowing exploration activities to resume. The order, which halted work by its local affiliate, was resolved following engagement with local community groups, including Indigenous peoples, as well as government authorities.“A project of Mankayan’s size and international importance cannot be underestimated and I look forward to updating shareholders and stakeholders as the Pre-Feasibility Study work and associated drilling activities progresses,” CEO Geoff Gilmour stated in the release. Blackstone stated a drill program of up to 10 holes is planned to begin in the near future.Shares of Blackstone Minerals closed at AU$0.037 last week, then climbed to this week’s high of AU$0.055 on Tuesday following the announcement before closing at AU$0.052 on Thursday. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.Editorial Disclosure: Blackstone Minerals is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.

Don Durrett: Gold to US$7,000, Silver to US$200 — 10 Baggers Still Out There

Don Durrett of GoldStockData.com shares his next precious metals price targets, saying he's anticipating US$7,000 per ounce for gold and US$200 per ounce for silver — although both could overshoot those levels to the upside during this cycle. With those price targets in mind, he still sees plenty of places to find 10 baggers.Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Senate overturns Boundary Waters protections, a boon for Chilean mining company

The vote to allow mining near the protected wilderness area came over the objection of Democrats and two Republicans.

Top 5 Canadian Lithium Stocks in 2026

SRA, NRM, LTH, 002497, LCE, RCK

Lithium prices have staged a sharp rebound, nearly doubling between early December and late January as tightening supply and renewed market optimism fueled a rapid rally. Spot battery-grade lithium carbonate climbed about 95 percent over the period, supported by disruptions at key operations, including delays at CATL's (SZSE:300750,HKEX:3750) Jianxiawo lepidolite mine, alongside maintenance outages and stronger competition for long-term contract volumes.Sentiment has also amplified the move.“Lithium prices appear to have moved ahead of the fundamentals, propelled by speculative buying, bullish sentiment and a backdrop of heightened geopolitical risk,” wrote Paul Lusty, head of battery raw material research at Fastmarkets, warning that thin liquidity and cautious positioning leave the market highly reactive.“The key takeaway is to brace for more volatility… a single headline, project delay or policy shift can rewrite the outlook overnight,” he added.The Investing News Network breaks down the top-performing Canadian lithium stocks of 2026 for investors below. Data for this list was obtained on April 8, 2026, using TradingView's stock screener. Only lithium companies with market caps above C$10 million for the TSX and TSXV and above C$5 million for the CSE are included. 1. Stria Lithium (TSXV:SRA) Year-to-date gain: 708.33 percentMarket cap: C$19.11 millionShare price: C$0.48Stria Lithium is a Canadian exploration company focused on developing domestic lithium resources to support the growing demand for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries. The company’s flagship Pontax Central lithium project spans 36 square kilometers in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Québec, Canada.Cygnus Metals (TSXV:CYG,ASX:CY5,OTCQB:CYGGF) has an earn-in agreement with Stria to earn up to a 70 percent interest in Pontax Central. Cygnus completed the first stage in July 2023, acquiring a 51 percent interest by investing C$4 million in exploration and issuing over 9 million shares to Stria. In May 2025, Stria and Cygnus agreed to extend the second stage of Cygnus’s earn-in agreement on the Pontax Central lithium project by 24 months. The second stage involves a further C$2 million in exploration spending and C$3 million in a cash payment.Through its joint venture with Cygnus, Stria has outlined a JORC-compliant maiden inferred resource for Pontax Central of 10.1 million metric tons grading 1.04 percent lithium oxide (Li2O).Shares of Stria rode the wave of market positivity higher in January, reaching C$0.84 on January 20.On February 13, Stria announced a C$1 million non-brokered private placement that would see it issue 2.38 million units at a price of C$0.42 per share; it repriced the placement on February 25, raising the unit price to C$0.47 while dropping the issued shares to 2.13 million. Stria closed the C$1 million placement the following day.After rallying in January, Stria shares were again propelled reaching a year-to-date high of C$0.85 on April 1 when lithium prices staged a recovery in late March after dipping earlier in the month. 2. Noram Lithium (TSXV:NRM)  Year-to-date gain: 75 percentMarket cap: C$15.65 millionShare price: C$0.17Noram Lithium is an exploration and development company advancing its flagship Zeus lithium project in Clayton Valley, Nevada, US. In May 2024, Noram released an updated resource estimate for Zeus including 3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at 957 parts per million (ppm) in the measured and indicated category and 1.4 million metric tons LCE of inferred resources. Noram updated Zeus’ byproduct potential in 2025 following full reviews of assay data from 91 drill holes, announcing mineralization of critical minerals rubidium and cesium in August and potash in October.In late February, Noram again boosted the resource base at Zeus when it added molybdenum to the project’s asset list. In the announcement the company noted the mining byproduct credits the property could garner from the array of critical minerals Zeus hosts, which it plans to incorporate in its upcoming preliminary economic assessment. “Preliminary internal modelling suggests that these by-product credits could materially reduce projected operating costs,” Executive Chairman Sandy MacDougall said. He noted that Zeus may qualify for federal support as a potential domestic source of multiple US-designated critical minerals.Shares of Noram rose to a year-to-date of C$0.175 on April 7, 2026, benefiting from shifting supply and demand trends in the broader lithium market. 3. Lithium Ionic (TSXV:LTH)  Year-to-date gain: 35.24 percentMarket cap: C$276.54 millionShare price: C$1.42Exploration and development company Lithium Ionic is focused on advancing a portfolio of Brazil-based lithium assets. The company's Itinga and Salinas groups of properties are both located in the northeastern part of Minas Gerais state, covering a combined 14,000 hectares.In a 2025 year end review released in January, Ionic highlighted the updates it made to the mineral resource estimates at its feasibility-stage Bandeira project and its Baixa Grande project, which are part of the Itinga and Salinas groups respectively. Following the updates last year, the company's total global measured and indicated resource now stands at 36.76 million metric tons grading 1.31 percent Li2O, while its inferred resource combines for 31.87 million metric tons at 1.19 percent Li2O.The company also laid out its 2026 priorities as it works to transition Bandeira to construction, including advancing permitting, finalizing detailed engineering and project financing, and progressing pre-development activities.In mid-February, Ionic provided an update for the Bandeira project, noting that engineering was 48 percent complete.“Bandeira is now firmly in the execution phase,” Lithium Ionic CEO Blake Hylands wrote. “With a technically robust and optimized Feasibility Study in-hand, our focus has shifted to disciplined delivery.” On March 25, Lithium Ionic secured binding five year, take-or-pay offtake agreements to supply a combined 170,000 metric tons per year of spodumene concentrate to Yahua Industrial Group (SZSE:002497) and Grand Chen Resources, both integrated suppliers to tier-one battery and electric vehicle companies, including BYD (OTCPL:BYDDF,HKEX:1211).The agreements offer Lithium Ionic with downside protection as they have a minimum price of US$1,000 per metric ton using a basis of 6 percent grade spodumene concentrate (SC6); additionally, they have no price ceiling, allowing full exposure to rising lithium prices. The deals also include a combined US$20 million in prepayment facilities.News of the deal paired with upward momentum in the lithium market pushed shares of Lithium Ionic to a year-to-date high of C$1.46 on April 2. ​4. Century Lithium (TSXV:LCE)  Year-to-date gain: 29.03 percentMarket cap: C$72.21 millionShare price: C$0.40US-focused Century Lithium is currently advancing its wholly owned Angel Island lithium project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The project hosts one of the US' largest known sedimentary lithium deposits, according to the company.Century plans to produce battery grade lithium concentrate onsite with its own patent-pending process. On January 14, Century Lithium announced it brought on lithium and battery industry expert Cormac O’Laoire as a strategic advisor.In late February, Century Lithium released an updated feasibility study for its Angel Island lithium project. The 2026 study reconfigured the mine plan, incorporating additional metallurgical testing, engineering refinements and updated cost estimates. It outlines strong project economics, including an after-tax net present value of US$4.01 billion.The two-phase operation is expected to yield an estimated life-of-mine average of 26,500 metric tons per year of lithium carbonate over a 40 year mine life. Mineral resource and reserve estimates remained unchanged from the company’s 2024 feasibility study, with proven and probable reserves of 1.76 million tonnes LCE at 1,149 ppm.The company officially filed the technical report for the Angel Island feasibility study on March 9. On March 16, Century Lithium completed an upsized C$7 million brokered life private placement, with net proceeds primarily going towards technical and permitting work for Angel Island.Shares of Century Lithium climbed to a year-to-date high of C$0.69 on January 23 and remained elevated in February before pulling back in mid-March. 5. Rock Tech Lithium (TSXV:RCK)  Year-to-date gain: 23.38 percentMarket cap: C$109.56 millionShare price: C$0.95Rock Tech Lithium is an international development firm. The company is developing lithium hydroxide converters in Guben, Germany, and Ontario, Canada, as well as its wholly owned Georgia Lake project in Northern Ontario.. The German facility is recognized as a strategic project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, with production targeted for 2028 with annual capacity of 24,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Company shares rode the early year positivity to a year-to-date high of C$1.20 on January 25, 2026. In early March, Rock Tech Lithium and Siemens Canada penned a non-binding memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership focused on developing lithium conversion capacity at Rock Tech’s planned facility in Red Rock, Ontario.The Red Rock facility is planned to have annual capacity of 32,000 metric tons of LCE and source feedstock from the Georgia Lake project.Siemens will provide digitalization technology, including digital twin solutions, for the project’s development, construction and operation. On April 7, Rock Tech formed a strategic partnership with the BMI Group, a Canadian industrial infrastructure platform, to develop the Red Rock lithium converter facility. BMI intends to invest C$200 million in the project as part of a broader equity structure.Under the proposed structure, Rock Tech retains control over development, engineering and operations, while BMI serves as lead limited partner and anchor investor. The two companies plan to begin a C$30 million funding program to advance development towards a final investment decision by the year's end. Investment from Rock Tech will be matched by funding from BMI Group and government programs. Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

European airlines could run out of jet fuel 'in six weeks'

European airlines could run out of jet fuel in six weeks' time. That's the warning from the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, who says passengers should expect fewer flights and higher prices. Carriers are already reducing their flight schedules ahead of the summer holiday season. Also in the show - European officials urge governments not to forget the Ukraine war, saying that Russia's economy cannot be allowed to benefit from the energy shock. 

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings to step down as chairman

NFLXCL

Hastings set up the company in 1997, when it rented DVDs to customers and delivered by post.

How could the Iran war affect fizzy drinks in the UK?

The BBC's Emma Simpson explains why fizzy drinks, salad and meat could be affected by the Gulf conflict.

Tapestry Takes Over #296 Spot From United Airlines Holdings

TPR, UAL

In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, Tapestry Inc (Symbol: TPR) has taken over the #296 spot from United Airlines Holdings Inc (Symbol: UAL), according to The Online Investor. Market capitalization is an

Deckers Outdoor Moves Up In Market Cap Rank, Passing Genuine Parts

DECK, GPC

In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, Deckers Outdoor Corp. (Symbol: DECK) has taken over the #424 spot from Genuine Parts Co. (Symbol: GPC), according to The Online Investor. Market capitalization is an

KeyCorp Moves Up In Market Cap Rank, Passing C.H. Robinson Worldwide

KEY, CHRW

In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, KeyCorp (Symbol: KEY) has taken over the #368 spot from C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (Symbol: CHRW), according to The Online Investor. Market capitalization is an im