May 13th, 2026 | 07:20 CEST
100% Rally Started? MP Materials, Standard Lithium, and Power Metallic Mines in Focus!
Has the 100% rally already begun for Power Metallic Mines? At least that is the level of upside potential suggested by analysts. The copper explorer continues to report strong drilling results from its flagship project in Canada, and the stock is gradually gaining momentum. Listening to the CEO, it becomes clear that the share may still have significant upside potential ahead. Potential also exists at MP Materials, the only producer and processor of rare earth elements in the US. However, the company now carries a market capitalization of around USD 12 billion. Most recently, it released quarterly results — the key question is whether the upward trend can continue. A similar trend has recently started to form at Standard Lithium as well. The company also reported on its first-quarter 2026 developments. Investors are now eagerly awaiting the final investment decision for the South-West Arkansas (SWA) project. The timing of that decision remains a key focal point for the market.
time to read: 5 minutes
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Author:
Fabian Lorenz
ISIN:
POWER METALLIC MINES INC. | CA73929R1055 | TSXV: PNPN , OTCBB: PNPNF , MP MATERIALS CORP | US5533681012 | NYSE: MP , STANDARD LITHIUM LTD | CA8536061010
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Author
Fabian Lorenz
For more than twenty years, the Cologne native has been intensively involved with the stock market, both professionally and privately. He is particularly passionate about national and international small and micro caps.
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Power Metallic Mines: Has the 100% rally begun?
Analysts at Roth Capital believe Power Metallic Mines' shares are capable of reaching CAD 3. The stock has recently surged and, following a price jump of over 10%, is now trading at CAD 1.48. According to Roth Capital, this still leaves room for a 100% return. For the analysts, the copper explorer is even a takeover candidate. However, one of the major commodities companies would likely have to pay significantly more than CAD 3 for it. From CEO Terry Lynch's perspective, the valuation is significantly too low.
During the Munich Capital Market Conference (MKK), Lynch spoke with Lyndsay Malchuk of the IIF and expressed strong optimism about Power Metallic Mines' prospects. The focus was on the company's latest drill results, including intervals with up to 19% copper. Lynch emphasized that the market has so far underestimated the exceptionally high grades. Globally, the average copper grade at many mines is only 0.4%, while Power Metallic achieves many times that. He also pointed to metallurgical tests showing recovery rates of around 95%, which could significantly improve the project's profitability.
According to Lynch, many investors remain skeptical because polymetallic deposits are often considered complex and capital-intensive. The CEO strongly refuted this impression. Due to the high ore grades, lower production volumes are required, thereby reducing investment costs, energy consumption, and environmental impact. Power Metallic now intends to substantiate the project's economic viability with an advanced resource estimate (MRE) in the summer of 2026 and a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) by the end of the year.
Furthermore, Lynch painted a bullish picture for the copper market as a whole. The combination of global infrastructure needs, post-war reconstruction, and rising electricity demand driven by AI and electrification will massively boost copper demand. Power Metallic's project also benefits from its location in the Canadian province of Québec, which Lynch described as one of the best mining regions in the world. He highlighted the existing infrastructure, fast permitting processes, and support from prominent investors such as Robert Friedland.
MP Materials: Beneficiary of the Defence Boom?
Amid the geopolitical escalation in the Middle East, MP Materials is emerging as a key beneficiary of a technological turning point that CEO James Litinsky describes as a massive "demand accelerator" for the rare earths industry. According to Litinsky, the war in Iran has painfully illustrated that modern warfare will be dominated in the future by millions of autonomous drones and robotic systems—systems that cannot function without powerful neodymium magnets. According to the CEO of the only US producer of rare earths, this development is leading to a dramatic compression of timelines. While demand was previously driven primarily by civilian electric mobility, military demand is now driving a massive 49% jump in revenue in the first quarter of 2026. Against this backdrop, the company is not only accelerating capacity expansion but also systematically breaking away from its dependence on Chinese production technology to secure rare earth magnets as the "ammunition of the future" within a fully Western supply chain.
MP Materials significantly increased its revenue in the first quarter of 2026 while simultaneously reducing losses. Revenue climbed 49% year-over-year to USD 90.6 million. This was primarily driven by higher sales volumes and increased prices for neodymium-praseodymium oxide (NdPr), which is used, among other things, for permanent magnets. Adjusted EBITDA improved to USD 36.6 million after a negative figure in the prior year. The net loss decreased to USD 8.0 million. In addition, the company returned to positive adjusted earnings for the first time.
At the same time, MP Materials continues to drive the expansion of its vertically integrated value chain. Operations were expanded at the "Independence" plant in Texas, while construction of the "10X" project has begun. In addition, commissioning of the separation of heavy rare earth elements is set to begin shortly at the Mountain Pass site.
MP Materials' stock has been on an upward trend for several months. Since the end of March, it has risen from around USD 46 to over USD 67. The 52-week high from October 2025 stands at USD 100. This brings the company's current market capitalization to an impressive USD 12 billion.
Standard Lithium: What is happening in Arkansas?
Standard Lithium's stock has also trended positively in recent weeks. The stock is trading above USD 4 again, giving it a market value of around USD 1 billion.
On Monday, the lithium explorer reported on developments in the first quarter of 2026. The focus was on progress at the South-West Arkansas (SWA) project. The company signed its first binding off-take agreement with Trafigura. Under the terms of the agreement, 8,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate are to be delivered annually for a period of ten years starting from the commencement of production. According to the company, the agreement covers more than 40% of the project's targeted off-take volumes. Additionally, Standard Lithium had cash and working capital of approximately USD 141 million at the end of the quarter and continues to report no financial debt.
Operationally, the demonstration project in Arkansas has achieved several milestones. According to the company, more than one million barrels of brine from the Smackover Formation have now been processed, and over 15,000 cycles of direct lithium extraction (DLE) have been completed. The facility will continue to serve to optimize processes, collect data, and prepare for future commercial operations. Furthermore, Standard Lithium strengthened its activities in the area of strategic raw materials and national supply security by engaging external consultants with experience in the defence and raw materials sectors.
What investors are particularly waiting for is the final investment decision (FID) for the SWA project. This is expected to take place before the end of the year. Prerequisites for this include the conclusion of EPC contracts for the construction of the plant, environmental approval under the NEPA process, additional off-take agreements, and project financing. According to the current schedule, construction contract awards and environmental reviews are expected to be completed in the second quarter, while the remaining off-take negotiations are expected to be finalized by the third quarter. Standard Lithium subsequently plans to begin construction in 2026, with initial commercial production currently expected in 2029.
Power Metallic Mines stock appears promising. Convincing drill results are reported regularly. With a little patience, significant price gains could be achieved here. MP Materials benefits from being the only producer and processor of rare earths in the US. Additionally, the US government holds a stake, and there is a partnership with Apple. However, the valuation appears very ambitious. Standard Lithium is more of a short-term speculative stock. For a long-term investment, the start of production simply seems too far off. However, the final investment decision is still pending.
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