S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) shares are up 7% in 2026 amid resilient commodity prices this year.

ASX mining shares are benefiting from greater demand for the metals and minerals essential to the green energy transition.

The energy transition will likely be a multi-decade driver for Australian mining.

Here are 3 mining shares with buy recommendations from Bell Potter.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

The Liontown share price is 70 cents, up 1.8% today and down 57% in 2026.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX lithium mining share with a 12-month price target of $1.60.

That implies a 129% potential upside ahead.

Analyst Stuart Howe said: 

LTR is our preferred lithium exposure. We expect a value re-rate as the Kathleen Valley ramp-up and expansion are progressively derisked over the forecast period.

On recent share price weakness, LTR is trading on an EV last seen in mid-2025 when SC6 prices were around US$650/t and the company’s balance sheet was materially weaker.

Spot prices are now over 2.5x this level and LTR is in a net cash position.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

The Evolution Mining share price is $12.15, down 2.9% today and down 4% in 2026.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX gold share with a $15.85 target.

That suggests a 30% potential upside ahead.

Analyst David Coates said: 

EVN has reported a softer September quarter 2026 result. Group production was 153.6koz gold and 17.9kt copper (vs BPe 165.1koz gold and 16.9kt copper). All-In-Sustaining-Costs (AISC) for continuing operations were A$1,653/oz (vs BPe A$1,687/oz).

Production was below our forecasts, while costs were lower than our forecasts and below the low end of FY27 guidance

EVN offers fully unhedged gold and copper exposure via a portfolio of high quality, long-life assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions, overseen
by a high-quality management team.

EVN has delivered on its promise to increase shareholder returns and gold price exposure.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS share price is $2.91, up 0.2% today and down 33% in 2026.

Bell Potter has a buy call on the ASX’s largest lithium mining company with a target of $4.10 per share.

That implies a 41% potential upside ahead.

He said: 

PLS has approved a Final Investment Decision to double Pilgangoora nameplate Spodumene Concentrate capacity to 2Mtpa.

Separately, PLS will spend $600-650m to upgrade infrastructure including: Sealing the Wodgina Road East; a new 1,200 bed accommodation village; and construction of services facilities.

The P2000 and site enhancement capex of ~$2.5b will be spent across FY27-29 and excludes annual sustaining and mine development capital of ~$350m.

While P2000 introduces medium-term execution risk, completion will meaningfully strengthen PLS’ long-term position as a large, low-cost hard-rock lithium producer.

The post 3 ASX mining shares to buy with 30% to 129% upside ahead: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Owning Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares could be a smart choice for investors who want to earn $2,000 (or more) of passive income.

In a rapidly changing world, I think there are a few things that customers will always want – good products at great prices. Wesfarmers can provide that through its two leading businesses, hardware store Bunnings and general retailer Kmart.

Both of those businesses are excellent performers for Wesfarmers with how both of them generate returns on capital (ROC) of around 70%. The parent business Wesfarmers earns a return on equity (ROE) of more than 30%, which is pleasingly high for a retailer.

Bunnings and Kmart continue to invest in themselves and unlock more growth. For example, there are now Anko stores in the Philippines, while in recent-ish times Bunnings acquired Beaumont Tiles and expanded its pet and auto care ranges.

Another significant advantage to Wesfarmers’ operating model is how it’s willing to buy some businesses and sell others. Recent investments include lithium mining and healthcare businesses. In five years, there could be additional names within the Wesfarmers portfolio.

With how the business aims to grow its dividend over time in line with profit and cash flow, the future looks bright for owners of Wesfarmers shares. Let’s see what analysts expect of the company’s dividend for FY27 because that’s the next dividend investors will receive.

FY27 passive income projection

In the 2026 financial year, Wesfarmers grew its annual dividend per share by 7.8% to $2.22.

Analysts expect the company’s dividend could increase again in FY27 after a number of years of consistent growth.

Wesfarmers says that it has a focus on providing shareholders with a satisfactory return to shareholders and a commitment to efficient capital management.

According to the projection on CMC Invest, Wesfarmers is forecast to hike its annual dividend per share by 7.9% to $2.395.

That projection translates into a potential dividend yield of 3% excluding franking credits and 4.3% including franking credits for FY27.

To unlock $2,000 of passive income, an investor would need 836 Wesfarmers shares if we’re just thinking about the dividend cash. Including franking credits as part of the income would mean needing 585 Wesfarmers shares.  

Is this a good time to invest in Wesfarmers shares?

I’m not sure that Wesfarmers would ever trade at a truly low price. It’s a high-quality company, with leading retail businesses that are primed to deliver low-cost products, which could be very appealing during economically uncertain times.

According to CMC Invest, there have been 10 broker ratings on the business within the last three months, with four of those ratings being a buy, two being a hold and four being a sell.

If I had to hold one major ASX blue-chip share over the long-term, Wesfarmers would be the one I’d choose because of its ability to adjust its portfolio.

But, other, smaller ASX shares could be even more appealing opportunities.

The post How much must I invest in Wesfarmers shares to earn $2,000 of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Age 60 to 65 represents a couple of huge milestones for Australians. This five-year period is where the focus shifts from accumulating superannuation, to spending it.

At age 60, Aussies have reached their preservation age, where they can access their superannuation balance provided they stopped working.

Then at age 65 is the next important milestone, where all Aussies can access their superannuation provided regardless of whether they’re still earning an income or not elsewhere.

It makes sense, then, that at this age bracket, your superannuation balance will be front of mind. 

But do you know how it stacks up against others the same age?

Or how it compares to what you actually need to afford retirement?

Here’s a breakdown.

What’s the average superannuation balance of Australians aged 60-65?

There aren’t exact figures for the average balance for this age bracket, but there are some rough guides.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) also tracks average super balances across age groups in Australia.

According to the latest APRA data, the average super balance for Aussies aged 60-64 is around $270,800. 

Those aged 65 would need to look at the next bracket up. For 65-29 year olds APRA estimates the average super balance to be $290,600.

APRA isn’t the only industry body to provide some super estimates though. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) also provides some estimated figures, and they’re a lot higher.

According to ASFA, the average male aged 60-64 has around $395,852 in the superannuation. The average female the same age has $313,360.

Again, 65 year olds would need to look at the bracket above. ASFA’s data shows the average 65-69 year old male has $448,518 saved in their superannuation. But females the same age have closer to $392,274.

How much does it compare to what I need to retire?

There’s no such thing as a “magic number” when it comes to your superannuation.

The amount you’ll need to fund your retirement depends on whether you’re single or part of a couple, whether or not you own your home, what lifestyle you expect to live, and any other savings you have.

But again, there are some rough guides to aim for.

ASFA data expects that a comfortable retirement will cost around $56,166 per year for individuals and $78,998 combined per year for couples.

To afford that, by age 67, a single person will need a superannuation balance of around $630,000. Meanwhile, couples will need closer to $730,000.

The data assumes you will earn a part Age Pension, and that you own your home outright.

Elsewhere, Super Consumers Australia forecasts that individuals will need up to $891,000 in their superannuation by age 65 in order to be able to retire with a high quality of life. Or $1.216 million for couples.

How does your balance compare to other Australians the same age? And how far away are you from your goal?

The post Average superannuation balance of Australians aged 60 to 65 in FY27. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 3 ASX mining shares to buy with 30% to 129% upside ahead: experts
• How much must I invest in Wesfarmers shares to earn $2,000 of passive income?

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.