Small caps continued to show resilience on Monday even as the broader market softened, extending what’s become a defining feature of October trading. The ASX 200 slipped 0.27% to 8,956.8, but the Small Ordinaries rose another 0.12%, supported by firm gold and copper prices and renewed investor appetite for growth names.
With futures flat this morning and global markets taking a breather, several emerging miners and clean-tech developers are setting the tone for today’s session.
Ora Banda delivers record quarter on gold strength
Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX:OBM, OTC:ESGFF) reported record gold production and cash flow for the September quarter, buoyed by higher grades and stronger prices. Output rose 39% to 30,595 ounces, including 3,564 attributable ounces from third-party milling, while total sales reached 31,300 ounces.
The result generated $38.5 million in free cash flow, lifting cash reserves to $122.7 million. Ora Banda said production should keep improving through FY26 as its Sand King deposit ramps up. The full quarterly report is due later this month.
Lindian completes early works at Kangankunde
Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has completed early works at its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, finishing on time and on budget. Contractor Mota-Engil has wrapped up a 5.5-kilometre access road, security gatehouse, and serviced contractor laydown area, establishing the foundation for main construction.
Lindian will now mobilise non-process infrastructure and tailings contractors while finalising mine design and process plant tenders. Its Komatsu mining fleet and Sandvik drill rig are scheduled for site delivery by January 2026, in line with its first-product target that year.
Altech and AMPower unveil industrial UPS battery
Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF) has launched a 384V / 15kWh sodium-nickel-chloride UPS battery system, developed with AMPower for European gas and hydrogen infrastructure. The explosion-proof, maintenance-free system is designed for ATEX-classified environments, offering a drop-in replacement for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium units.
Operating across –20°C to +60°C, the battery is certified to CE, UN38.3, IEC 62619 and RoHS standards, and marks a significant step in Altech’s European growth strategy.