Matt, understand your frustration (who here isn't?). While...

Matt, understand your frustration (who here isn't?). While today's announcement isn't a definitive 'our TECH DFS is now fully funded', it is certainly a very positive step to making that happen.

Suffice to say those at state govt level have been long term supporters and recognise the immediate AND 'crowding in' benefits the TECH project could create at Lansdown, and could very well provide a grant. The downstream off takers would no doubt like to see their investment prosper and not go down the gurgler, and $8M is a small add on easily achievable between the three. Lots of options.

Another recipient today of a grant under this same International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program (a SA graphite play winning $5M) submitted their application with the support of MOU offtake partners. So while QPM did not do the same, as @kinser says, you can see the Fed's support plainly.

As @highlvlofswag notes, there are signs that Indonesia and China's nickel play has been way overdone and the lifespan of this now globally significant industry is at risk. Another sign IMO supporting this is this article where the Indo Deputy PM stridently advocates for the US and advanced countries to 'see where the geo-economics are shifting and adjust their priorities' in regards to investment into nickel.
I reckon this telling us to suck eggs will go nowhere with the US, just as Albo rebuffed Jokawi's attempts to strike an Indo nickel-Aussie lithium partnership.

Today sadly, BHP announced the shutdown/C&M of its Nickel West operations.
That C&M of the mines, Kal smelter and Kwinana refinery is going to cost $450M/year and employ 400 people.

The mess of the French elections will likely mean further chaos in New Caledonia and similar costly C&M of their nickel smelters.



I'm sure many of us in the battery minerals space have had a bloody good kicking across their portfolio this last 12-18 months.
Nickel has born the brunt, as has the space's poster child, lithium.
PLS is limping along at $3 FGS.

IMO the above squeezes on supply in Australia and NC, Indo's ESG and reserves risk, the West's slowly developing supply chain alliances and the upcoming crop of higher spec, better value EVs particularly from the traditional automakers, is gradually turning what at first sight has been a terrible period.

More immediately, further detail due soon on QPME's operations in the June quarterly.
Better Days ahead