Small caps are entering the week against a volatile macro backdrop, with renewed US–Iran tensions pushing oil prices sharply higher again even as Wall Street continues to trade near record highs.
That mix of geopolitical uncertainty and resilient commodity markets is keeping investor focus firmly on gold, critical minerals and energy-linked plays, with early news flow today spanning high-grade drilling, project expansion and commercial repositioning.
Pantoro uncovers major high-grade zone at Norseman
Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX:PNR, OTC:PNTOF, FRA:RKN) has reported a significant new high-grade gold discovery at the Racetrack target near its OK underground operation at Norseman in WA.
Initial drilling outlined a mineralised zone extending over roughly 400 metres of strike and down to 600 metres’ depth, including standout intercepts such as 8 metres at 28.68 g/t gold and 2.01 metres at 82.99 g/t. The target sits just 600 metres from existing infrastructure, potentially offering a relatively low-cost pathway into future production.
Greatland extends West Dome mineralisation
Greatland Resources Ltd (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF, FRA:G8G, ASX:GGP) has intersected broad high-grade mineralisation south of its West Dome Underground resource at Telfer, strengthening the growth outlook for the project.
A deep step-out hole at the Pinnacles prospect returned 58.7 metres at 6.5 g/t gold and 0.1% copper, with mineralisation remaining open in multiple directions. The result supports Greatland’s view that the West Dome system may extend well beyond the current resource footprint.
Nova completes major freight push into Estelle
Nova Minerals Ltd (ASX:NVA, NASDAQ:NVA, FRA:QM3) has completed its largest-ever winter freight mobilisation to the Estelle project in Alaska ahead of planned near-term antimony production.
Around 1.5 million pounds of equipment and supplies were delivered to site, including mining equipment, ore sorting infrastructure and processing plant components tied to the company’s US Department of War-supported antimony strategy.
Elixir begins gas and condensate flow at Diona-1
Elixir Energy Ltd (ASX:EXR, OTC:ELXPF) says its Diona-1 well in Queensland is now flowing gas and condensate following stimulation and completion work.
The well is currently in the clean-up and flow-back phase ahead of formal testing, with pressure readings and early flow rates viewed as encouraging signs for the broader Surat-Bowen Basin project.
Lindian strengthens leadership ahead of production
Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has appointed former Westgold chief legal officer Anastasia Gotjamanos as general counsel and company secretary as it continues building out its operational team.
The company also announced a series of senior hires across ESG, supply chain, finance and investor relations as construction advances at the Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi and downstream operations in Kazakhstan.
Riversgold expands Kalgoorlie footprint
Riversgold Ltd (ASX:RGL, FRA:RGV, OTC:RVSGF) has increased the size of its Kalgoorlie Gold Project by 20% through the acquisition of a new tenement adjoining the Northern Zone project area.
The additional ground is expected to support future infrastructure planning, including access routes, waste dumps and potential processing facilities, while also offering further exploration upside.
Altech exits Silumina project to focus on CERENERGY
Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF, FRA:A3Y) will discontinue its Silumina Anodes battery materials project in Germany after failing to secure strategic funding support or commercial traction.
The company said the decision will allow it to focus fully on commercialising its CERENERGY sodium-alumina solid-state battery technology, with discussions around potential joint venture partnerships continuing.