Thor Energy PLC (AIM:THR, OTCQB:THORF, ASX:THR) shares strengthened in Wednesday morning's trade, climbing 10% to 0.66p, as the small-cap's first quarter update highlighted a stronger cash position that provides headroom as it advances its natural hydrogen and helium exploration portfolio.
The firm's cash balance rose to stand at A$3.31 million by the end of March, after completing the sale of the Molyhil Tungsten-Molybdenum Project. The company received A$2.25 million on completion of the Molyhil sale to Tivan Limited in January.
Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF, FRA:A3Y) has reported progress across its battery technology portfolio, with its CERENERGY® sodium-chloride solid-state battery project securing conditional German Government grant approval and its Silumina Anodes™ R&D operations being relocated to Germany.
The company’s CERENERGY® project in Saxony, Germany, has received conditional binding approval for up to €46.11 million (AU$75,32M) under Germany’s federal STARK economic development program.
Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX:COB, OTC:CBBHF, FRA:COH) has advanced multiple workstreams across its refinery, upstream project and technology platform during the March 2026 quarter, with key milestones supporting its broader strategy to build an integrated cobalt supply chain.
"It was incredibly satisfying to receive confirmation during the quarter that samples of our cobalt sulphate met stringent trace metal purity and physical specifications. This is a major milestone as we continue to progress toward an FID decision on our proposed Kwinana Cobalt Refinery in Western Australia," CEO Andrew Tong said.
The Albanese Government has reopened one of the tech sector’s most contentious fronts, unveiling draft legislation that would effectively tax major digital platforms unless they strike commercial deals with Australian news publishers.
The proposed News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) marks a significant evolution of Australia’s world-first media bargaining regime — shifting from a negotiated framework to a clearer financial penalty for platforms that opt out. The policy is designed to close what policymakers see as a loophole in the existing code: platforms can avoid paying for news simply by removing it altogether.
Australia’s consumer price index (CPI) has accelerated sharply, rising 4.6% in the year to March – its highest level since 2023 – as fuel and housing costs pushed living expenses higher.
On a monthly basis, headline inflation climbed 1.1%, driven largely by a surge in fuel prices after the Middle East conflict lifted oil prices by 60% and doubled jet fuel costs. Housing expenses also continued to rise, with electricity up 25.4%, new dwelling prices increasing 4.5% and rents climbing 3.7%.
Meteoric Resources NL (ASX:MEI, OTC:METOF, FRA:RNF) has strengthened its tenure over the Caldeira Rare Earths Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil, after executing an amendment agreement with joint venture partner Togni S/A Materiais Refratários.
The agreement consolidates Meteoric’s interests in key tenements needed for the start of production at Caldeira and is expected to streamline the project’s development pathway.
Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX:PNR, OTC:PNTOF, FRA:RKN) last week outlined further progress at the Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia, highlighting strong drilling results and a new funding and processing agreement that is expected to enhance production margins.
Managing director Paul Cmrlec said ongoing drilling at the Scotia deposit continues to deliver encouraging results, with the central zone extended by at least 50 metres below the current mine plan. He noted that the zone remains open at depth, with “big, wide, high-grade hits” reported, including intercepts exceeding 10 metres in width and grades of up to around 10 grams per tonne.
Horizon Gold Ltd (ASX:HRN) has reported a round of high-grade gold intercepts from diamond drilling at its 100%-owned Gum Creek Gold Project in Western Australia, with results from both the Omega and Kingfisher prospects reinforcing underground potential and supporting upcoming resource updates.
The latest assays, drawn from four holes at Omega and three at Kingfisher, continue to extend known mineralisation and refine the company’s geological understanding as work progresses towards a feasibility study.
NUVA Digital, co-created by Animoca Brands Corporation Ltd (Unlisted (AU):AB1) and Nuva Labs, has raised US$5.2 million in a seed funding round led by Morgan Creek Digital to accelerate development of its real-world asset (RWA) marketplace NUVA.
NUVA is a non-custodial distribution platform providing users with access to institutional-grade RWA vaults.
Pathkey.AI Ltd (ASX:PKY) has entered a binding share purchase agreement for the right to acquire 100% of Singapore-based Chipforge Pte Ltd, an AI-driven semiconductor hardware design and verification technology company.
The agreement gives Pathkey an irrevocable option to acquire Chipforge within two months, with the option period able to be extended by a further two months on payment of a $200,000 extension fee.
Phosco Ltd (ASX:PHO) has returned high-grade copper, antimony, silver and zinc assays from selective rock-chip sampling at the King’s Eye prospect within its 100%-owned Simitu Project in northern Tunisia.
Renascor Resources Ltd (ASX:RNU, OTC:RSNUF, FRA:RU8) has started full-plant commissioning at its Purified Spherical Graphite (PSG) Demonstration Plant in Adelaide, South Australia, after completing construction, pre-commissioning and system verification activities.
The project remains in line with budget and schedule, with graphite processing under operating conditions expected to begin this quarter.
Sovereign Metals Ltd (ASX:SVM, OTCQX:SVMLF, AIM:SVML, FRA:SVM) has outlined a pivotal March quarter, headlined by a definitive feasibility study (DFS) confirming the scale and economics of its Kasiya rutile-graphite project in Malawi, alongside a major resource upgrade and early-stage offtake agreements.
The DFS positions Kasiya as a globally significant critical minerals project, with strong projected margins, long mine life and potential upside from additional by-products.