Small-cap trading was mixed on Monday as investors rotated back into larger financial and tech names, leaving some of the high-flying resources juniors catching their breath. The Small Ordinaries Index slipped 0.8%, even as the broader ASX 200 gained 0.4%, buoyed by strength in banks and property stocks.
Still, momentum across the gold and copper space remains strong, with several ASX explorers unveiling new assays, acquisitions and strategic updates that point to a busy end to 2025.
AuKing nears Cloncurry Gold Project completion
AuKing Mining Ltd (ASX:AKN) says its Cloncurry Gold Project acquisition in northwest Queensland is on track to complete in early November, marking a major step in its growth strategy. The deal will give AuKing full control of 447 square kilometres of gold and copper tenure centred on Mt Freda and Golden Mile.
The project includes the 280,000 tonne-per-annum Lorena processing plant, offering potential as a regional processing hub. Final shareholder and ASX approvals are pending.
Lightning confirms high-grade gold at Mt Turner
Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M) has hit 20.4 metres at 2.4 g/t gold and 14.3 g/t silver at its Mt Turner Project in Queensland, including a high-grade 1.8 metres at 10.6 g/t gold.
Eight of nine planned holes have now been completed, confirming a shallow, breccia-hosted gold system open at depth and along strike. Follow-up drilling is being planned to expand the mineralised footprint.
Krakatoa advances LiDAR work in Georgia
Krakatoa Resources Ltd (ASX:KTA) has launched an underground drone LiDAR survey at its Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia to support a maiden JORC resource.
The data will improve accuracy of 1950s historical sampling and guide ongoing drilling targeting conversion of a foreign estimate of 225,000 tonnes at 11.6% antimony. Two diamond rigs are active, with assays expected later this quarter.
Nexus delivers strong hits at Wallbrook
Nexus Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXM) reported standout intercepts from the Clement and Godfrey prospects at its Wallbrook Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, including 20 metres at 4.06 g/t gold within a broader 36-metre mineralised zone.
Drilling confirmed gold mineralisation from surface, with new aircore drilling under way to test extensions and additional targets.
Riversgold restarts drilling east of Kalgoorlie
Riversgold Ltd (ASX:RGL, OTC:RVSGF) has begun a grade-control program at its Northern Zone Gold Project, 25 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie, targeting shallow undrilled areas between existing mineralised zones.
Chairman David Lenigas noted that the campaign comes as gold trades above A$6,500 per ounce, supporting momentum toward a maiden resource.
Solis expands Peruvian copper portfolio
Solis Minerals Ltd (ASX:SLM, TSX-V:SLMN, OTCQB:SLMFF) will acquire up to 75% of the Cucho Copper Project in Peru, a large-scale porphyry system with historical drilling confirming copper, molybdenum and silver mineralisation from surface.
The company has also raised A$5.9 million through a placement to fund the acquisition and ongoing drilling across its South American portfolio.