Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF) says its flagship CERENERGY® cell and ABS60 battery pack prototypes have achieved a series of key performance milestones, marking another step towards industrialisation of its sodium nickel chloride technology. The results include more than 650 cycles with no measurable capacity loss, near-perfect efficiency and proven stability under extreme testing conditions.
The company says the outcomes validate CERENERGY® as a durable, efficient and inherently safe alternative to lithium-ion batteries, offering grid operators and renewable projects the prospect of lower lifetime costs and reduced safety risks. With both cell-level and pack-level prototypes now tested under real-world conditions, Altech believes the technology is ready to advance toward commercial-scale deployment.
Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) is aiming to raise A$7 million via a renounceable rights issue and a placement to primarily support the Belfast magnet recycling project, the Brazilian Viridion joint venture, and the expansion of activities into the United States.
The rights issue is priced at 1.6 cents per share, a 6% discount to both the last close and 30-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP), and includes one option for every share subscribed, exercisable at 2.5 cents and expiring September 30, 2028.
The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index closed at 3,627.40, up 7.30 points or 0.20% yesterday, bringing its five-day gain to 23.70 points or 0.66%.
With the broader market steady, several small-cap companies have reported soild developments this morning. You can read about the following and more throughout the day.
Pantheon Resources PLC (AIM:PANR, OTCQX:PTHRF) told investors it has raised $30 million through a placing and share subscription, priced at 25 pence, with the proceeds to support operations at the Dubhe-1 well site, along with development planning for the Ahpun project, and preparatory work for a US stock exchange listing.
"We have bolstered our liquidity to take us towards the anticipated US Listing and all development planning activities between now and then," said Pantheon executive chair David Hobbs.
Scancell Holdings PLC's (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) prelims earlier brought into sharp focus the significant clinical progress made in the last 12 months, as well as spelling out what investors should expect next.
Its preparations follow encouraging results from its melanoma vaccine trial in July, and Panmure Liberum, its house broker, reckons the next 18 months will be busy.
GoviEx Uranium Inc (TSX-V:GXU, OTCQB:GVXXF) and its subsidiary GoviEx Niger Holdings announced they have agreed with the Republic of Niger to extend the pause in arbitration proceedings under the ICSID Convention for an additional six months.
The extension follows a letter of intent signed in February 2025, which outlined a framework for negotiations concerning the Madaouela Uranium Project.
Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V:HPY, OTC:HPYCF) announced the start of a 10,000 metre resource expansion drill program at the Fox Tungsten Project in British Columbia’s South Cariboo district.
The diversified metals projects developer said up to 100 diamond drill holes are planned across multiple target zones over two drill seasons in the resource expansion program, which is focused on expanding the existing high-grade tungsten resource defined in 2018.
Giyani Metals Corp (TSX-V:EMM, OTC:CATPF) announced that Nigel Robinson has been appointed as the company’s interim executive chairperson, replacing Charles FitzRoy who is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
The manganese project developer said Robinson brings more than a decade of senior leadership experience, having served as chief financial officer and subsequently CEO of Central Asia Metals PLC.
Shares in Distribution Finance Capital (LSE:DFCH) climbed as much as 10% in early trading on Thursday after the specialist bank posted a sharp rise in first-half profits and said full-year earnings would materially exceed market expectations.
The group, which provides working capital to UK dealers and manufacturers, reported pre-tax profit of £9 million for the six months to June, up 20% on the same period last year.
Shares in Haydale Graphene Inds PLC (LSE:HAYD, OTC:HDGHF) jumped 11% on Thursday after the advanced materials group struck a strategic collaboration with Interfloor, Europe’s largest manufacturer of carpet underlay.
The deal will see Haydale’s graphene-enabled JustHeat inserts integrated into Interfloor’s flooring systems, with new ready-to-install heating products due to launch in the second half of 2026.
Atlantic Lithium Ltd (AIM:ALL, OTCQX:ALLIF, ASX:A11) reported meaningful progress, despite challenging delays and a tougher lithium market, highlighted that it is on the cusp of advancing a development timeline for its Ewoyaa project, in Ghana, that's expected to deliver production at the same time as an anticipated recovery in market conditions.
The company, in its annual results statement out Thursday, confirmed it is awaiting parliamentary ratification of the Mining Lease for its Ewoyaa, which will mark the final step in the permitting process.
Bango PLC (AIM:BGO, OTCQX:BGOPF) told investors it has landed a new partnership with US-based telco DISH TV and its streaming brand Sling TV, which will use the firm’s Digital Vending Machine (DVM) to power its new subscription bundles.
The rollout begins with a football streaming service, allowing customers to add it to their monthly DISH bill.
Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) is gearing up for a pivotal period with fresh data due from its cancer trials later in 2025 and preparations underway for larger studies that could pave the way for regulatory approval.
The Oxford-based biotech is developing therapies that harness the body’s immune system to fight tumours. Its lead programme, iSCIB1+, is being studied in melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
Uranium producer Boss Energy Ltd (ASX:BOE, OTCQX:BQSSF) has set a December quarter 2025 deadline to finalise a review of its Honeymoon mining operations in South Australia, aimed at assessing production assumptions from its 2021 enhanced feasibility study (EFS).
The review will focus on the “potential for reduced continuity of mineralisation and leachability” compared with the 2021 study and evaluate any implications for the project’s ability to reach nameplate production capacity.
International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) will head to Washington next week as part of an Australian government–backed US Critical Minerals Delegation, while continuing to progress its integrated graphite developments in Australia and Europe.
The program, commencing September 15, is coordinated by Austrade and aims to strengthen ties between Australian critical mineral producers and the US government. For IG6, it is an opportunity to reinforce its “mine-to-market” vision — linking the Springdale Graphite Project in Western Australia with downstream processing at Collie (WA), in Germany and potentially in the United States.