Best 5 ASX Mining Stocks to Watch in 2026

The best mining stocks ASX investors research span several commodities, including gold, copper, iron ore, rare earths and uranium. These companies offer different forms of exposure to mining, from established production operations to exploration and development projects.

This article examines five ASX mining stocks: Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL), Arafura Rare Earths Limited (ASX: ARU), Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO), Greatland Resources Limited (ASX: GGP) and Paladin Energy Limited (ASX: PDN).

The selection considers company announcements, reported production figures, financial performance, resources and project developments. Each company has a different operating profile, so investors researching ASX mining stocks may wish to assess their individual business performance and growth plans. Explore our Top Picks of best ASX Mining Stocks

ASX Mining Stocks by Commodity

The ASX mining sector covers a wide range of commodities, including precious metals, industrial metals, battery materials and energy resources. Investors researching ASX mining stocks can explore companies across these commodity categories.

• Best ASX Gold Stocks — Gold producers, developers and explorers.
• Best ASX Lithium Stocks — Companies involved in lithium mining and development.
• Best Uranium Stocks on the ASX — Businesses exposed to uranium exploration, production and nuclear energy demand.
• Best ASX Copper Stocks — Copper producers and explorers supplying metal used in electrical infrastructure and industrial applications.
• Best ASX Silver Stocks — Companies involved in silver mining and exploration.
• ASX Zinc Stocks — Businesses producing or exploring for zinc, which is widely used to protect steel from corrosion.
• ASX Coal Stocks — Companies exposed to thermal coal and metallurgical coal markets.
• ASX Iron Ore Stocks — Companies involved in iron ore mining and production.
• ASX Rare Earth Stocks — Businesses developing or producing rare earth elements used in magnets, electronics and advanced technologies.
• ASX Nickel Stocks — Companies involved in nickel exploration, development and production.
• ASX Graphite Stocks — Businesses developing graphite resources for industrial and battery-related applications.

Each commodity has different demand drivers, price movements and operational risks. Investors may compare company announcements, production figures, financial performance and project developments when researching individual mining businesses.

Top 5 ASX Mining Stocks for Long-Term Growth

1. Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL)

Regis Resources is a gold-focused mining company that reported group gold production of 83,000 ounces (83koz) for the September quarter on 7 October 2026. Significant rainfall affected production during September.

Key developments:

• Gold production: 83koz for the September quarter.
• Pre-tax cash and bullion generated: $146 million.
• Total cash and bullion balance: $1.28 billion at the end of September.
• FY27 production outlook: Guidance remains weighted towards the second half of the financial year.
• Growth capital expenditure: Expected to be concentrated in the first half as multiple open pits commence operations.

Regis Resources has a market capitalisation of approximately $5.46 billion and a reported fully franked dividend yield of 4.86%.

Why Regis Resources is worth watching: The company's September-quarter production, cash and bullion balance, and FY27 operating outlook provide several indicators for investors assessing its gold-mining operations. The planned commencement of multiple open pits is also relevant to its production outlook and expected capital expenditure profile. Investors researching best ASX mining stocks may wish to monitor production performance, the timing of planned operations and progress against company guidance.

2. Arafura Rare Earths Limited (ASX: ARU)

Arafura Rare Earths announced on 12 October 2026 that it had executed a binding offtake agreement with a leading global raw materials trading company for the supply of 850 tonnes per annum (850tpa) of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide.

Key developments:

• Contracted supply: 850tpa of NdPr oxide.
• Agreement duration: Five years.
• Extension option: A further two years by mutual agreement.
• Pricing mechanism: Linked to an independent and transparent global seaborne index.

The agreement establishes a contracted supply arrangement with pricing linked to an external market index. Arafura has a market capitalisation of approximately $1 billion. Its primary focus is NdPr oxide production, alongside other rare earths used across various segments.

Why Arafura Rare Earths is worth watching: The binding offtake agreement is a key development for investors following the company's rare earths business. Its duration, contracted volume and index-linked pricing structure are relevant when assessing the commercial arrangements for its planned supply. Investors researching ASX mining stocks should distinguish between companies with established production and those whose investment case depends on development, project execution and future production.

3. Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO)

Rio Tinto published its half-year results for the period ending June on 29 July 2026. The company reported copper production of 442 kilotonnes (442kt) and iron ore production of 170 million tonnes (170Mt).

Key financial and operating results:

• Copper production: 442kt.
• Iron ore production: 170Mt.
• Underlying EBITDA: Increased 28% year on year to $14.8 billion.
• Reported dividend yield: 4.08%, fully franked.
• Recent dividend payment: $2.96 per share on 24 September.

Rio Tinto has a reported market capitalisation of approximately $60.37 billion.

Why Rio Tinto is worth watching: Rio Tinto's portfolio includes four product groups covering iron ore, aluminium, copper and minerals. Its operations extend across 34 countries and six continents. Its reported production volumes and underlying EBITDA growth provide information about operating performance across its mining business. For investors comparing mining stocks ASX companies, Rio Tinto offers exposure to multiple commodities through a diversified mining portfolio.

4. Greatland Resources Limited (ASX: GGP)

Greatland Resources published a corporate presentation on 23 September 2026 outlining its FY26 production and resource figures.

Key production and resource figures:

• FY26 gold production: 329koz.
• FY26 copper production: 14.6kt.
• Reported gold resources: 14.9 million ounces (14.9Moz).
• Reported copper resources: 644kt.

The company has a reported market capitalisation of approximately $6.82 billion and operates across gold and copper production.

Why Greatland Resources is worth watching: Greatland's portfolio comprises the 100%-owned Telfer mine, the adjacent brownfield Havieron gold-copper development project and a significant exploration portfolio. Its reported production and resource figures provide insight into its current operations and broader resource base. Resource figures should not be interpreted as equivalent to annual production or guaranteed future output.

5. Paladin Energy Limited (ASX: PDN)

Paladin Energy published its Investor Day presentation on 2 September 2026, reporting FY26 uranium oxide production of 4.82 million pounds (4.82Mlb) and an improved average realised price of US$70 per pound.

Key financial and operating results:

• FY26 uranium oxide production: 4.82Mlb.
• Average realised price: US$70/lb.
• Revenue: US$304.3 million.
• Gross profit: US$52.2 million.

Paladin Energy has a reported market capitalisation of approximately $3.77 billion.

Why Paladin Energy is worth watching: Paladin is positioned as an independent uranium producer, with exploration and development assets across Canada and Australia. Its reported production, realised pricing, revenue and gross profit provide a basis for examining its FY26 performance. For investors comparing ASX mining stocks, Paladin offers exposure to uranium mining. Its financial performance and future operating outlook should be assessed using company disclosures rather than commodity exposure alone.

Benefits and Risks of Investing in ASX Mining Stocks

Benefits of ASX Mining Stocks:

• Exposure to multiple commodities: Investors can access gold, copper, iron ore, rare earths and uranium through different ASX-listed mining companies.
• Potential growth opportunities: Production increases, development projects and exploration activities may provide opportunities for business growth.
• Dividend income: Some mining companies pay dividends, although distributions depend on company performance and dividend decisions.
• Portfolio diversification: Mining stocks provide exposure to the resources sector, although they can still carry significant market and commodity-related risks.

Risks of ASX Mining Stocks:

• Commodity price volatility: Changes in commodity prices can affect mining companies' revenue and profitability.
• Operational challenges: Weather conditions, production disruptions and project delays can affect output and financial results.
• Development uncertainty: Exploration and development projects may not deliver their expected outcomes.
• Dividend uncertainty: Mining companies may reduce or suspend dividends depending on earnings, cash flow and capital requirements.

Investors should assess each company's financial position, operating performance and project outlook before making investment decisions.

What to Consider Before Investing in ASX Mining Stocks

Mining companies can have different financial and operational characteristics depending on their commodities, production status, development projects and capital requirements. Before evaluating any of the five companies, investors may consider the following factors.

• Production performance: Reported production figures help investors understand a mining company's operating output. Changes in production may also need to be assessed against company guidance and operating conditions.
• Financial performance: Revenue, EBITDA, gross profit, cash balances and cash generation provide different information about a company's financial position.
• Development and exploration projects: Development projects and exploration assets may provide future growth opportunities, but they are different from producing mines.
• Commodity exposure: Gold, copper, iron ore, rare earths and uranium have different market dynamics. Exposure to a particular commodity does not, by itself, establish that a company will deliver stronger financial performance.
• Dividend information: Where a company reports a dividend yield, investors should verify the latest dividend announcement, franking status and yield calculation. Dividend yields can change with share prices, and future distributions are not guaranteed.

Conclusion: Which ASX Mining Stocks Should Investors Research?

The five companies covered here provide exposure to different areas of the mining industry. Regis Resources focuses on gold production, Arafura Rare Earths has reported a binding NdPr oxide offtake agreement, Rio Tinto operates across several major commodities, Greatland Resources combines gold and copper production with development and exploration assets, and Paladin Energy focuses on uranium.

Their reported results and developments provide different starting points for further research. However, this list is not a definitive ranking of investment quality, and the companies should not be compared on a single financial or operating measure. Investors researching the best mining stocks ASX has to offer may compare company announcements, production performance, financial results, development plans and commodity exposure before making an investment decision.

(Source: Company Announcements)