South Star Battery Metals (STSBF) Stock News

South Star Battery Metals (OTCQB: STSBF) restarted the Santa Cruz plant on April 7, 2026, beginning no-load testing that will move to load conditions after positive results. Major upgrades installed include the scrubber/trommel, discharge pump and tank, electrical systems, drying system and filter press feed pump.

Management said the re-start is nearly three months ahead of schedule, with recent heavy rainfall only slightly affecting installations. A qualified person, Marc Leduc P.Eng, reviewed the technical information.

South Star Battery Metals has achieved two significant milestones: selection for Brazil's R$5B Strategic Minerals Funding Program and completion of its maiden graphite shipment from Santa Cruz Mine. The company was chosen by BNDES and FINEP for potential funding to expand production and innovation in strategic minerals. The first shipment of natural flake graphite left on June 5th, 2025 for North America, marking South Star's transition to commercial production. Santa Cruz Phase 1 represents the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996, with permits allowing expansion to 50,000 tpy. However, the operation faces challenges including extreme weather conditions and underperforming equipment. The company has appointed Rogerio Barcellos Leite as Director of Operations to optimize processes and improve performance. The mine has maintained an impressive safety record with 916 days without lost-time incidents.

South Star Battery Metals has achieved a significant milestone with the first production and shipment of natural flake graphite concentrates from its Santa Cruz Graphite Mine in Bahia, Brazil. The mine represents the first new commercial graphite production in the Americas since 1996. The facility is licensed for up to 50,000 tonnes per year of concentrates. Phase 1 operations aim to produce 3,500-4,000 metric tonnes in 2025, scaling to 10,000 tonnes in 2026. The plant maintains 92% mechanical availability and processes ore with 2.8-3.5% graphite carbon content. Production quality shows 92-96% graphitic carbon concentrates, with a flake size distribution of 65% coarse and 35% fines material. The operation has achieved impressive safety metrics with zero lost-time incidents over 887 days and 389,650 manhours.

South Star Battery Metals (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF) has announced the appointment of Tiago Cunha to its board of directors. Cunha, who serves as the manager of equity at Ace Capital, brings extensive experience in mineral resources and energy transition to the company.

CEO Richard Pearce welcomed Cunha's appointment, highlighting his role as a cornerstone supporter of South Star through Ace Capital. The company views this addition as strategically important as they focus on expanding their graphite production amid complex geopolitical conditions.

South Star Battery Metals (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Alabama's Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP) to develop battery anode materials in the United States. The partnership will encompass four phases: R&D Development, Pilot Demonstration, Commercial Demonstration, and Commercial-Scale Manufacturing.

South Star will serve as the primary supplier of natural-flake graphite concentrate and AMP's internal reference natural-flake anode graphite material. The MOU provides a 45-day window to negotiate a definitive binding agreement.

The company's Santa Cruz project represents the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996 and is currently ramping up commercial production in Brazil. Their BamaStar project is positioned as one of the few scalable flake graphite assets in North America, supported by U.S. Department of Defense funding and strong techno-economics.

South Star Battery Metals (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF) has successfully exercised its right to earn-in 75% of the BamaStar Graphite Project in Coosa County, Alabama, and subsequently acquired the remaining 25% to achieve 100% ownership. The company completed key requirements including: conducting drilling and resource estimation for a NI 43-101 compliant PEA, funding C$750,000 in minimum expenditures, and maintaining valid mineral leases.

The remaining 25% stake was acquired from the CML Owners for C$250,000 in South Star common shares, resulting in the issuance of 445,454 shares, pending TSX Venture Exchange approval. This strategic acquisition aligns with South Star's goal of developing diversified, vertically integrated graphite assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions. The company is transitioning from a project developer to a producing miner and integrated graphite processor in the Americas, with its Santa Cruz Mine in Brazil serving as the foundational asset.

South Star Battery Metals has completed the final tranche of its upsized, non-brokered private placement, raising total gross proceeds of US$3 million. The third tranche raised US$879,449.45 through the issuance of 2,045,231 Units, each priced at US$0.43 and including one common share and one purchase warrant.

The warrants are exercisable at US$0.89 for five years and include an acceleration clause. Insiders participated in Tranche 3 for US$29,440.45, with total insider participation across all tranches reaching US$936,798.50. The funds will support exploration, development, production activities, and working capital requirements.

The company paid finder's fees of US$40,000 and issued 55,813 common shares to A8 Capital Advisors Latam All securities are subject to a four-month hold period, and the closing is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

South Star Battery Metals (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF) has increased its previously announced non-brokered private placement to US$3.2 million (CA$4.48 million) due to high demand. The private placement consists of units priced at US$0.43, each including one common share and one warrant exercisable at US$0.89 for five years.

The TSX Venture Exchange has extended the closing date to January 10, 2025. The proceeds will fund exploration, development, construction activities, corporate G&A, and working capital. The company has also amended its metals purchase and sale agreement with Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp., primarily to reflect organizational changes and add provisions for off-shore sales.

South Star Battery Metals has completed the second tranche of its non-brokered private placement, raising US$1,312,528. Combined with Tranche 1, total gross proceeds reach US$2,120,550.55. The placement consists of 3,052,390 Units at US$0.43 per unit, each including one common share and one purchase warrant exercisable at US$0.89 for 5 years. Insiders participated for US$812,528. Proceeds will fund exploration, development, production activities, and working capital. The company paid finder's fees of US$32,813.20 and issued 61,046 common shares. Units are subject to a four-month hold period and TSX Venture Exchange approval.