Small caps outperformed the broader market yesterday, with the Small Ords rising 1.41% against an 0.81% lift for the ASX 200. With futures pointing to a firmer open today, early newsflow includes meaningful updates across graphite, lithium, gold-copper and immuno-oncology.
International Graphite secures Collie land for micronising facility
International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has settled on three industrial lots in Collie for its first commercial graphite micronising plant, located opposite its existing pilot facility. Design work is well advanced and major equipment is already ordered.
Development approvals are nearing completion, with CEO Andrew Worland flagging strong manufacturer interest and continued state government support as the graphite market tightens.
Critical Resources strengthens Mavis Lake position
Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR) has expanded its Mavis Lake lithium footprint to more than 400 square kilometres, building on a maiden 8 million tonnes @ 1.07% Li₂O resource and over 58,000 metres of drilling since 2022.
Management says recent land consolidation, strong metallurgy and proximity to infrastructure leave the project well placed to benefit from a forecast lithium recovery from 2026.
Greatland Gold reports more wide, high-grade hits at West Dome
Greatland Resources Ltd (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF, ASX:GGP)’s latest West Dome drilling returned broad zones of gold-copper mineralisation, including stockwork intercepts up to 70 metres wide, alongside continued high-grade results on both mineralised limbs.
A third rig is now on site as the company advances toward a maiden resource in early 2026, supported by existing Telfer infrastructure.
Imugene and JW Therapeutics advance CAR-T/virus solid-tumour strategy
Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) has partnered with JW Therapeutics to test its onCARlytics oncolytic virus in combination with JW’s CD19 CAR-T therapy, Carteyva®, targeting difficult solid tumours.
The program will run preclinical studies followed by a Phase 1 trial in China, validating a “mark and kill” concept designed to make solid tumours susceptible to CD19-directed CAR-T.
Altech finalises UPS battery design ahead of European trials
Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF) has completed final engineering design for its next-generation SNC UPS system, developed with AMPower. The first unit enters Factory Acceptance Testing in March 2026.
Five trial sites in the Netherlands are lined up to benchmark the system in industrial and gas-infrastructure settings, replacing older lead-acid and Ni-Cd units ahead of a wider European rollout.