The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index (XSO) traded higher, rising 13.80 points, or 0.35%, to 3,926.70 in today’s session. The move extended the index’s recent upward momentum, with the XSO now up 93.60 points, or 2.44%, over the past 5 trading days, reflecting improved sentiment across the small-cap sector.
Against this stronger backdrop for small caps, several ASX-listed gold names released exploration and operational updates this morning.
Titan Minerals
Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX:TTM, OTC:TTTNF has been completing resource definition diamond drilling at its 100% held Dynasty Gold Project in southern Ecuador, where it is working towards a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) update in Q1 2026. Drilling is being directed towards the Brecha-Comanche and Kaliman targets at the Cerro Verde prospect, with resource drilling designed to target extensive zones of porphyry and breccia hosted gold-silver +/- copper mineralisation. Drilling completed at the Cerro Verde prospect in late 2025 was successful in delivering substantial new areas of mineralisation outside the previous resource extents.
Latest results returned from resource infill drilling at the Brecha-Comanche target, Cerro Verde prospect have delivered exceptional results from vein and breccia hosted mineralisation. These latest results demonstrate the remarkable predictability and continuity of the Dynasty gold system and provide enhanced confidence in the mineralisation model interpretation as the Company works towards an MRE update.
Pantoro Gold
Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX:PNR, OTC:PNTOF), a WA-based gold producer focused on unlocking the full potential of its 100%-owned Norseman Gold Project (Norseman or the Project), is pleased to provide further results from its ongoing surface drilling program.
Key Highlights
- Infill drilling at Daisy South has returned high-grade intersections, supporting the existing mineralisation model and an updated open pit mining study.
- Initial step-out drilling has returned high-grade extensions to mineralisation within the Daisy Shear Zone (DSZ), south of the current Mineral Resource.
- Mine design and planning are underway, with Daisy South intended to be developed in conjunction with the Gladstone Everlasting Open Pit over the next two years.
Auric Mining
Auric Mining Ltd (ASX:AWJ) is pleased to provide an operational update on activities at its Munda Gold Mine, as the company advances toward toll processing and near-term cashflow generation. As at 31 December 2025, approximately 67,000 tonnes of high-grade ore was stockpiled on the Munda ROM pad. This ore inventory underpins the upcoming toll processing campaign and positions the Company for imminent gold production and revenue.
Mining operations at Munda recommenced in early January 2026, following a short pause. Ore haulage started on January 10 2026, with material being transported to Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8) Lakewood Mill in preparation for processing. Toll processing is expected to commence around 27 January 2026. Based on current timelines, Auric expects to receive its first cash proceeds from the sale of gold in late February 2026.
Rumble Resources Ltd (ASX:RTR, OTC:RTRFF) provided an update on the current 20,000 m diamond drilling program that commenced in October 2025 at the Western Queen Gold Project (Western Queen or the Project).
Western Queen is located approximately 40 km northwest of Ramelius’s Dalgaranga Gold Project and 90 km northwest of Mt Magnet, in Western Australia, and contains reported resources totalling 370,000 oz Au at 3.1 g/t Au.
A total of 23 diamond drill holes for 8,442 m were completed at Western Queen South (WQS) by the end of 2025. Six of these holes targeted the down plunge extensions to the high-grade mineralisation, while 17 holes were designed to infill the Inferred resources, collect metallurgical samples and geotechnical data.