While the Australian stock market experienced a slight pullback on Friday, with the ASX 200 closing 0.28% lower and most sectors posting declines, the Small Ords Index showed a modest gain of 0.01%, closing at 3,454.6. Looking to add to the trend, several companies on Monday delivered significant updates across exploration, resource development, and commercialisation, underscoring continued momentum for junior miners and emerging companies.
West Wits Mining increases stake in Witwatersrand Basin Gold Project to 74%
West Wits Mining Ltd (ASX:WWI, OTCQB:WMWWF) has completed a buy-back of a 10% minority interest in West Wits Mining SA, increasing its stake in the 5Moz Witwatersrand Basin Gold Project (WBP) from 66.6% to 74%. The company paid US$5.09M to acquire the shares from Lilitha Resources. The WBP’s Stage 1, Qala Shallows project now boasts a post-tax NPV7.5 of US$500M, with gold production of 944,000oz over a 16.8-year life.
Solis Minerals commences drilling at Ilo Este copper-gold project
Solis Minerals Ltd (ASX:SLM, TSX-V:SLMN, OTCQB:SLMFF) has launched a 5,000-metre diamond drilling program at its Ilo Este copper-gold project in Peru. The drilling will follow up on historical copper-gold mineralisation and test newly identified target zones. Ilo Este is located in a world-class mining district, with several major copper mines in close proximity.
Lindian Resources secures Stage 2 mining licence expansion for Kangankunde project
Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has received approval for the expansion of its Mining Licence at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, increasing the licensed area from 900ha to 2,500ha. This expansion supports Stage 2 of the project, which aims to boost production from 15,300tpa of monazite concentrate to approximately 75,000–100,000tpa. Lindian has also secured a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) for additional offtake from Iluka.
Terra Metals reports maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at Dante project
Terra Metals Ltd (ASX:TM1, OTC:PNGZF) has delivered a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Dante Project, with 148Mt at 14.8% TiO₂, 0.54% V₂O₅, 0.18% Cu, and 0.33g/t 3PGE. The high-grade indicated resource includes 38Mt at 18.4% TiO₂ and 0.73% V₂O₅. The MRE, completed within 12 months of discovery, demonstrates the simple, laterally extensive, and near-surface nature of the mineralisation.
Provaris Energy starts FEED for proprietary LCO2 tank design
Provaris Energy Ltd (ASX:PV1, OTC:GBBLF) has begun the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) phase for its proprietary LCO2 tanks, following approval from partner Yinson. The FEED phase is fully funded by Yinson, with a focus on structural engineering and hull integration. Provaris is also advancing its joint venture for IP licensing and aims to commercialise the technology by 2026.
Astral Resources reports high-grade gold at Kamperman deposit
Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR) has reported high-grade gold results at its Kamperman deposit within the Feysville Gold Project. Best results include 4.7m at 30.6g/t Au, including 1.3m at 95.7g/t Au, and 2.1m at 32.8g/t Au, including 0.6m at 100.7g/t Au. Drilling is ongoing to expand the mineral resource at Kamperman, with additional exploration at the Iris, Hestia, and Theia deposits.
Sovereign Metals confirms mining method and fleet design for Kasiya project
Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) has finalised its mining method and fleet design for the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi. The company has chosen a dry mining approach, confirmed through pilot trials, and has designed a phased mining fleet deployment. The fleet will expand from 36 units in Year 1 to 81 units over the life of the project.
Green360 Technologies raises A$4M for low-carbon cement development
Green360 Technologies Limited (ASX:GT3) has raised A$4M in a strongly supported placement to fund the commercialisation of its low-carbon cement production technology. The funds will support business development, customer engagement, and market rollout. The company has also appointed Darren Hedley to strengthen its leadership during this critical growth phase.
Lanthanein Resources updates Gascoyne exploration activities
Lanthanein Resources Ltd (ASX:LNR, OTC:FRNRF) has provided an update on its exploration activities at the Lyons and Edmund projects in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region. The company is progressing a soil geochemical sampling program focusing on areas with gold, base metals, and rare earth element (REE) anomalies, with assays to be completed by LabWest Minerals Analysis.
Tamboran Resources reports record flow rate at Beetaloo Basin well
Tamboran Resources Corporation (ASX:TBN, NYSE:TBN, OTC:TBNRL) has achieved a record flow rate at its Shenandoah South 2H sidetrack (SS-2H ST1) well in the Beetaloo Basin, with a 90-day initial production (IP90) flow rate of 6.7 MMcf/d. The well has shown an increase in flow rates over the past 30 days without downhole intervention. The results will aid the ongoing multi-well drilling campaign in the basin.