Highlights

  • Anson Resources shares rose 24.53% to AUD 0.066 13 May 2026, following the release of latest update.
  • The company announced board approval of terms for a binding agreement with POSCO Holdings.
  • POSCO plans to develop and operate a Direct Lithium Extraction demonstration plant at the Green River Lithium Project in Utah.
  • POSCO will fund the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Facility.
  • Anson is expected to receive a facilitation fee of approximately AUD 7.2 million (USD 5.2 million).
  • The demonstration plant is expected to commence operations in 2027 and continue through 2028.

Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) shares moved sharply higher during the morning session on 13 May 2026, climbing 24.53% to AUD 0.066 after the company released an update relating to its Green River Lithium Project in Utah, United States.

The rally followed confirmation that both Anson Resources and POSCO Holdings had approved the terms for a binding agreement linked to the development of a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant at Green River. Investors appeared to respond favourably to the advancement of the Partnership, particularly given POSCO’s role in funding and operating the proposed demonstration facility.

The latest gain also adds to the stock’s broader momentum, with Anson Resources shares remaining approximately 32% higher over the past 12 months.

Company Overview

Anson Resources Ltd is an ASX-listed mineral resources company focused on battery and energy transition commodities.

The company’s primary focus is the development of its Green River and Paradox Lithium Projects in Utah, USA.

Anson has positioned these projects as central to its strategy of building exposure to future-facing energy and technology markets, particularly lithium Supply linked to electric vehicle Demand and battery Manufacturing.

In addition to lithium development, the company aims to create Shareholder value through the Acquisition, exploration and advancement of mineral resource projects aligned with evolving global Commodity demand trends.

Partnership Progress Marks Key Step for Green River Project

The latest announcement represents a progression from the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding previously signed between the two companies in June 2025.

Under the proposed definitive agreement, POSCO Holdings intends to establish a non-commercial DLE demonstration plant at Anson’s Green River Lithium Project located within Utah’s Paradox Basin. The demonstration facility is expected to validate lithium extraction from Green River brines at a continuous industrial scale using POSCO’s proprietary extraction technology.

Importantly, POSCO will be responsible for funding the engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of the demonstration plant. Anson’s role will include providing access to the site, infrastructure and lithium brine supply from its Bosydaba #1 well.

As part of the arrangement, Anson is expected to receive a facilitation fee of approximately USD 5.2 million, equivalent to around AUD 7.2 million.

The definitive agreement is anticipated to be signed before the end of the second quarter of 2026.

Why the Market Reacted Positively

The market reaction suggests investors viewed the development as a favourable validation of the Green River Lithium Project and its potential role within the North American battery materials supply chain.

The involvement of POSCO Holdings — a major South Korean industrial and battery materials group — appears to have strengthened confidence around the commercial relevance of the project and the application of DLE technology at Green River.

Unlike early-stage partnerships that remain conceptual, the latest update included approval from both companies’ boards regarding the terms of the binding agreement. That progression may have been interpreted by the market as a meaningful advancement toward demonstration-scale operations.

The fact that POSCO is expected to fund the plant at its own expense may also have supported investor sentiment, as it potentially reduces financial pressure on Anson during the demonstration phase.

Additionally, the facilitation fee arrangement provides Anson with a direct financial benefit linked to the project collaboration.

Demonstration Plant to Focus on Continuous Lithium Extraction

According to the company, the demonstration facility is intended to assess lithium extraction from brines sourced from the Bosydaba #1 well at Green River.

Direct Lithium Extraction technology has become an area of growing industry interest as companies seek alternative methods to process lithium brines more efficiently and potentially with lower environmental impact compared to traditional evaporation-based systems.

The proposed demonstration plant will not operate as a commercial production facility. Instead, it is designed to validate the technical and operational capability of POSCO’s proprietary DLE technology under continuous industrial-scale conditions.

The agreement is expected to remain in place through December 2028.

POSCO is targeting commencement of demonstration plant operations in 2027, with work expected to continue into 2028.

Strategic Importance of the Green River Lithium Project

Anson Resources stated that the latest development supports the strategic positioning of the Green River Lithium Project within the emerging domestic U.S. battery materials supply chain.

The company also indicated that the demonstration-scale testing could assist with technical de-risking for the project.

Green River and the broader Paradox Lithium Project form Anson’s core asset base in the United States. The company is focused on advancing lithium development opportunities tied to growing demand from electric vehicle and battery markets.

The Green River project is located in Utah’s Paradox Basin, an area that has attracted increasing attention for lithium brine potential.

With governments and manufacturers seeking to strengthen domestic supply chains for battery raw materials, projects located within the United States have continued to attract industry and strategic interest.

Potential for Further Commercial Collaboration

Beyond the demonstration plant itself, both parties also indicated they intend to continue discussions regarding broader commercial opportunities linked to Green River.

During the operational period of the demonstration facility, Anson and POSCO are expected to explore potential Business cooperation opportunities, including possible joint Investment discussions relating to the project.

While no commercial production agreement has yet been announced, the continued collaboration could provide additional pathways for future project development depending on the outcome of the demonstration phase.

The original Memorandum of Understanding between the companies outlined a framework for future cooperation, and the latest announcement appears to move that process further forward.

POSCO’s Existing Lithium and Battery Materials Exposure

POSCO Holdings is a large South Korean industrial group with operations spanning steel, energy and battery materials.

The company has been expanding its lithium exposure through investments across South America, South Korea and Australia, alongside the development of proprietary DLE technologies.

According to the announcement, POSCO has investments supporting total annual lithium production capacity of 93,000 tonnes across Argentina and South Korea.

Its broader strategy has focused on establishing supply chains connected to electric vehicle and battery demand growth.

The involvement of a global industrial participant with existing lithium interests may be viewed as a notable endorsement of the Green River project’s potential.

Investor Focus Turns to Next Milestones

Following today’s announcement, investor attention is likely to shift toward execution milestones associated with the definitive agreement and the planned demonstration plant timeline.

Key developments may include the formal signing of the agreement before the end of Q2 2026, progress on engineering and construction planning, and eventual commencement of demonstration operations in 2027.

The collaboration with POSCO also places additional focus on the future commercialisation potential of Green River and whether ongoing technical validation could support broader strategic partnerships or development pathways in coming years.

For now, the market reaction indicates investors viewed the latest update as a favourable step forward for Anson Resources and its U.S.-based lithium ambitions.