Small caps are likely to start the week under pressure, with ASX 200 futures down sharply on Monday morning after a sharp sell-off on Wall Street and another surge in oil prices linked to the escalating Middle East conflict. The Small Ordinaries also weakened late last week, falling 1.26% on Friday, highlighting the risk-off tone heading into Monday’s trade.
The March quarterly ASX rebalance may also draw attention to several small-cap names. St George Mining will be among names joining the All Ordinaries, alongside Nova Minerals, Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF), European Lithium Ltd (ASX:EUR, OTCQB:EULIF), Cyprium Metals Ltd (ASX:CYM, OTCQB:CYPMF) and Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX:TTM, OTC:TTTNF), while Greatland Resources Ltd (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF, FRA:G8G, ASX:GGP) is set to enter the ASX 100.
Nova Minerals
Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA, OTC:NVAAF, FRA:QM3) has reported new high-grade gold samples from the RPM area of its Estelle project in Alaska, including rock assays up to 24.6 g/t gold.
The anomalies sit along the northern extension of the RPM ridgeline and will form part of the company’s 2026 drilling program, targeting potential extensions to the existing high-grade mineralisation.
Aruma Resources
Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ) has confirmed the presence of zircon, rutile and ilmenite in reconnaissance samples from its Wilan project in South Australia’s Eromanga Basin.
Heavy mineral sands assemblages were identified at 11 sampling sites, with early results supporting the project’s prospectivity in an emerging HMS exploration district.
Janus Electric
Janus Electric Holdings Ltd (ASX:JNS)has secured a $2.75 million R&D finance facility, providing additional working capital ahead of receiving a $1.41 million R&D tax incentive refund.
The funding is intended to support continued development of the company’s zero-emission transport and battery-electric conversion technologies.
St George Mining
St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ, FRA:S0G, OTC:SGQMF) highlighted that it will be added to the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index from March 23, reflecting the company’s recent growth and rising market capitalisation.
The inclusion follows rapid progress at its Araxá rare earths–niobium project in Brazil, including a recent major resource upgrade.