Hastings Technology Metals has officially joined forces with powerhouse private firm Wyloo Consolidated Investments. The deal marks a significant step in Australia’s critical minerals landscape, with the formation of an unincorporated joint venture over Western Australia’s world-class Yangibana rare earths and niobium project. The joint venture satisfies or waives all the conditions precedent between the two firms and their related entities, unlocking a strategic partnership where Wyloo takes a 60 per cent stake and assumes the role of manager and operator of the project. Hastings Technology Metals chief executive officer Vince Catania (left) and Wyloo chief executive officer Luca Giacovazzi have locked in the two firms’ joint venture over the Yangibana rare earths project in Western Australia. The deal eliminates $123 million in exchangeable notes owed by Hastings to Wyloo, slashing Hastings’ debt burden and reducing its stage one beneficiation plant funding needs to an estimated $13 million to $32 million.