The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (XSO) rose to 3,842.60, up 28.20 points (0.74%) today and 81.30 points (2.16%) over the past five days. The uptick could augur well for companies with strong news in this early part of the new trading year. A handful of small caps were in focus this morning.
You can read bout the following and more throughout the day
St George Mining
St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) announced a significant discovery of high-grade niobium outside the existing MRE at its 100%-owned Araxá Rare Earths and Niobium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
New high-grade niobium discovery 400 metres to the northwest of the MRE: Expansion drilling to the north and west of the existing resource footprint has discovered a new zone of high-grade niobium with multiple drill holes each intersecting 80 metres-plus of high-grade niobium from surface, including discovery hole AXDD031, which returned assays of:
- 81.5m @ 1.27% Nb₂O₅ from surface, including: 43m @ 2.01% Nb₂O₅ from surface, and 10.5m @ 3.41% Nb₂O₅ from 17m
Large upgrade to the niobium mineral system: The new discovery supports potential to significantly expand the volume of the already world-class niobium and rare earths MRE at the Araxá Project — which is open in all directions. Ongoing expansion drilling will include the area in and around AXDD031, which is emerging as a new niobium-rich zone at the project.
Lindian Resources
Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) provided an update on on-site construction activities at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, including the start of the mobilisation of the Komatsu owner-operator mining fleet. With early works and site establishment now complete, construction activity is progressing across multiple work fronts. Initial fleet units have arrived on site and are being inspected and commissioned to support Lindian’s owner-operator mining approach and the transition into sustained construction and mining readiness.
The mobilisation of the mining fleet strengthens operational readiness ahead of first production and supports greater control over safety, costs and operating performance through owner-operated mining.
Critical Resources
Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR) has engaged SLR Consulting (Canada) Limited to deliver a comprehensive regulatory roadmap for the Mavis Lake Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada. SLR’s appointment highlights Critical’s focus on sustainable operations and environmental planning, establishing Mavis Lake as a key asset in North America’s lithium supply chain.
SLR’s engagement builds on the company’s recent work with Canadian government advisory firm Pathway Group, establishing a coordinated network that integrates regulatory strategy with policy engagement.
Together with Pathway Group, CRR is actively exploring opportunities for non-dilutive funding at provincial and federal levels, including government grants, to minimise capital requirements. This coordinated technical and government advisory network approach is intended to support an efficient and transparent pathway through federal and provincial approvals.