Ark Mines (ASX:AHK) has secured a $4.5 million investment from the QIC Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund (QCMBTF) to advance development of its flagship Sandy Mitchell Rare Earth and Heavy Mineral Project, located northwest of Cairns (Figure 1). The funding package — $4m in upfront royalty-linked financing and $500,000 in equity (subject to shareholder approval) — follows a collaborative due diligence process and underscores the Queensland Government’s commitment