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Taiko Critical Minerals Aims for $80M NZX Listing

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, February 14th 2026 at 0:34 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
      Locales: NEW ZEALAND, JAPAN

New Plymouth, New Zealand - February 14th, 2026 - Veteran mining entrepreneur Robert 'Bob' Brand is setting his sights on the New Zealand stock exchange with his latest venture, Taiko Critical Minerals. The company plans to raise $80 million through an initial listing on the NZX, aiming to capitalize on the surging global demand for critical minerals essential to the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy sectors.

Taiko's core project centers on extracting vanadium and titanium from heavy mineral sands located in the South Taranaki region of New Zealand. Unlike traditional mining operations, Taiko is adopting a unique approach by focusing initially on reprocessing existing tailings dumps - the waste material left over from previous mining activities. This strategy, according to Brand, significantly reduces both costs and environmental impact. "It's a pre-mined opportunity," Brand explained. "We don't need to dig the first shovelful of dirt. We're taking what's already been mined and re-processing it."

This emphasis on re-processing addresses growing concerns about the environmental consequences of mining. Traditional greenfield mining projects often involve significant deforestation, habitat disruption, and water pollution. By utilizing existing tailings, Taiko aims to minimize these impacts, appealing to environmentally conscious investors and navigating increasingly stringent regulatory landscapes. While tailings reprocessing isn't without its own environmental considerations (such as dust control and water management), it generally represents a lower-risk profile compared to starting a new mine.

The demand for vanadium and titanium is being driven by several key factors. Vanadium is a crucial component in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), a type of rechargeable battery increasingly favored for large-scale energy storage. VRFBs offer advantages over lithium-ion batteries in terms of lifespan, safety, and scalability, making them ideal for grid-level storage and integration with renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Titanium, meanwhile, is renowned for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, making it vital for aerospace applications, medical implants, and increasingly, lightweight components in EVs.

Taiko's business plan projects the initial processing plant to be operational within two years, with a full ramp-up to production expected within five. The $80 million capital raise will cover the costs of establishing this plant, securing necessary permits, and funding further exploration to assess the full extent of the resource in the Taranaki region. The company has reportedly already secured exclusive rights to process the heavy mineral sands, giving it a competitive edge.

Leading the management team alongside Brand are experienced industry professionals. Roger Sayers, formerly CEO of Coromandel Gold, and Alistair McKinnon, a veteran of Newcrest Mining, bring a wealth of expertise in exploration, development, and operations. Sayers expressed confidence in the project's viability, highlighting the company's secure land holdings and detailed geological understanding of the resource. "We've been able to secure some really solid ground holdings and we've got a very clear geological picture of what's in that ground," he stated.

However, Brand's track record is not without its complexities. His previous venture, BlackRock Mining in Madagascar, experienced a dramatic rise and fall, reaching a valuation exceeding $1 billion before plummeting due to accusations of environmental damage. This past scrutiny will undoubtedly be a focal point for investors scrutinizing Taiko's prospectus. While Brand maintains that lessons were learned from the BlackRock experience, potential investors will require thorough due diligence to assess the company's commitment to responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship.

The company is currently preparing a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for submission to the NZX, seeking a compliance date for the listing. The PDS will detail the project's technical and financial aspects, as well as the risks associated with investing in Taiko Critical Minerals. The success of the listing and subsequent capital raise will depend on investor appetite for critical minerals exposure and a convincing demonstration of Taiko's commitment to sustainable and responsible mining. The project's reliance on re-processing existing materials is a strong selling point, but investors will also want to understand the long-term viability of the tailings resource and the potential for future expansion beyond re-processing.

This venture highlights New Zealand's growing interest in participating in the global supply chains for critical minerals. With a stable regulatory environment and a commitment to sustainability, New Zealand is positioning itself as an attractive destination for responsible mineral extraction and processing.