The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index rose 15.60 points or 0.47% yesterday to close at 3,353.20. Despite the daily gain, the index remains down 28.10 points or 0.83% over the past five trading sessions.
There are still plenty of quarterlies being released as the ASX deadline to submit draws to an end. There is also plenty of other news to sink your teeth into, which you can read about below.
- Askari Metals Ltd (ASX:AS2) launched a regional exploration programme at its Nejo Gold and Copper Project in Central‑Western Ethiopia, covering 1 174 square kilometres on the Arabian‑Nubian Shield. A field team will soon mobilise to conduct initial reconnaissance to evaluate the project’s potential.
- archTIS Ltd (ASX:AR9, OTCQB:ARHLF) increased annual recurring revenue to A$4.8 million (up 17% year‑on‑year) and raised A$7.5 million in capital post‑quarter. Notable contract wins include engagements with the US Department of Defense, a UK aerospace and defence subsidiary, its first sale in Japan, and renewal of a A$1.3 million contract with the Australian Department of Defence.
- Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR) delivered a robust Pre‑Feasibility Study for its Mandilla Gold Project, targeting 19 years of life‑of‑mine production totalling 1.4 million ounces at an all‑in sustaining cost of A$2 085/oz. The study forecasts pre‑tax free cashflow exceeding A$2.8 billion and a pre‑tax net present value at 8% of A$1.4 billion, supported by updated Ore Reserve and Resource estimates and over 6 800 metres of drilling.
- Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) extended massive sulphide Cu‑Ni‑PGE mineralisation at its Oval discovery in Mongolia, completing 2 938.9 metres in Phase 3 drilling. High‑grade zones were confirmed and a SAMSON EM survey launched. Regional EM and metallurgical test results are expected in the September quarter.
- Evion Group NL (ASX:EVG, OTC:EVIGF) secured designation of its Maniry Graphite Project in Madagascar as a Strategic Project by the European Union—its only project to receive this status. The joint venture secured an initial US shipment of approximately 80 t of expandable graphite, generating circa A$400 000 revenue. Cash balance stands at A$1.027 million, and discussions continue on EU grant funding and project expansion.
- FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX:FFM, TSX:FFM, OTC:MNXMF) confirmed high‑grade copper‑gold continuity at its Green Bay Project, including intersections of 25.8 m @ 5.1% CuEq and 12.4 m @ 6.8% CuEq. A down‑hole electromagnetic survey identified conductive trends extending over 700 m beyond known resources, indicating potential for material resource growth ahead of a Measured & Indicated update in Q4 2025.
- Kairos Minerals Ltd (ASX:KAI, OTCQB:KAIFF) released results from Mt York gold drilling, with a standout intercept of 9 m @ 3.19 g/t Au from 176 m at Breccia Hill. The results confirm extensions of high‑grade pods approximately 75 m from historic intercepts, enhancing the understanding of mineralisation across the 3 km Main Trend.
- Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7, OTC:LUVSF) acquired global rights to patented Microwave Joule Heating Technology, enabling selective delamination of solar panels at ambient temperature—potentially enabling recovery of silver, silicon, gallium and indium without high heat or chemicals. The Company intends to pursue R&D based on the technology.
- Percheron Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:PER, OTC:PERCF) secured an exclusive global licence for HMBD‑002 from Hummingbird Bioscience. HMBD‑002, a phase II‑ready immuno‑oncology candidate, has completed a phase I trial with full results due in the second half of calendar 2025. The Investigational New Drug transfer with the US FDA is complete, and a phase II trial is planned for 2026. Over 107 million Loyalty Options were issued to eligible shareholders.
- Resource Mining Corporation Ltd (ASX:RMI) entered into a funding agreement of up to A$5 million with RiverFort Global Capital, drawing A$1.3 million prior to fees on 31 July 2025. Funding will support ongoing RAB drilling at the Mpanda copper‑gold project in Tanzania, progressing a Saudi Arabian gold option and maintaining activity at Tanzanian nickel and Finnish lithium projects.
- St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) confirmed a high‑grade rare earths discovery at its Araxá Project in Brazil, with auger assays from 22 holes returning up to 13.4% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) and 3.33% NdPr over a 0.5 km² area. The Company plans follow‑up RC and diamond drilling to evaluate potential additions to its existing world‑class JORC resource.
- Sunstone Metals Ltd (ASX:STM)advanced strategic and asset transaction discussions concerning its Bramaderos and El Palmar gold‑copper projects in Ecuador. Bramaderos hosts 2.7 Moz AuEq in MRE with exploration targets of 3.3–8.6 Moz AuEq; El Palmar has a maiden resource of 1.2 Moz and a broader exploration target of 10–27 Moz AuEq across potential porphyry deposits.
- Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) progressed its Definitive Feasibility Study for the Kasiya Rutile‑Graphite Project in Malawi, completing geotechnical drilling across site infrastructure and signing a non‑binding Memorandum of Understanding with ESCOM for long‑term power supply. Meanwhile, the World Bank approved a US$350 million grant to bolster national power capacity, benefiting project infrastructure.
- Yandal Resources Ltd (ASX:YRL) reported assay results from its Caladan air‑core drilling across a 6.4 km strike as part of the Ironstone Well‑Barwidgee Gold Project. Thirty new drill holes confirmed mineralisation extensions across multiple lines including the Arrakis Prospect, located around 60 km south of the Jundee mining complex.