The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index (ASX: XSO) closed at 3,550.70 yesterday, gaining 2.54% or 87.80 points.
The index has also moved 4.90% higher over the past 5 days, adding 165.70 points, as investors continue to track progress across the small-cap resources, energy metals and technology materials sectors. You can read about the following and more throughout the day.
Aruma confirms strong conductor at Tillex
Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ) has reported results from a fixed-loop down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) geophysical survey program at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in the Timmins mining district of Ontario, Canada.
The survey confirmed a strong, continuous conductor extending along strike and at depth, while also identifying discrete high-grade conductive plates.
Aruma said the results validated its confidence in Tillex as a potentially robust and scalable mineralised system and materially strengthened targets ahead of a planned second phase of drilling.
BOA advances Neds Creek approvals
BOA Resources Ltd (ASX:BOA) has reached a key milestone at the Neds Creek Copper Project in Western Australia, with the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration commencing the grant of project tenements.
To date, 7 of 14 tenement applications have been granted, representing 64% of the total project area. The 2 tenements covering proposed drilling are among those granted, with the balance expected in the near future.
BOA is progressing heritage surveys and final drill preparations across 6 priority prospect areas: Ricci Lee, Rooneys, Blockley, Mueller, Ward and Limestone Bore.
The company is targeting the start of drilling by mid-2026, subject to completion of heritage surveys and associated site access work.
Cobalt Blue consortium progresses Project Infinity
Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX:COB, OTC:CBBHF, FRA:COH) and Glomar Minerals LLC continue to advance Project Infinity, an initiative to develop and operate what the consortium says would be the world’s first commercial polymetallic nodule refinery in the United States.
Since the consortium was formed in March 2026, site selection has progressed, Clarion-Clipperton Zone nodule samples have been received at the Broken Hill Technology Centre and initial test-work has started.
The work will help define the scope of the planned pre-feasibility study.
Critical Resources reaches solid-state battery milestone
Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR, FRA:9S70) has reported progress in its solid-state battery evaluation program, with the deposition of a complete cathode, electrolyte and conductive network layer in a single step.
The company said the process used no solvents, ovens or furnaces, advancing the work from a validated solvent-free lithium iron phosphate cathode to a complete composite layer.
The program is being conducted at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology within the US National Science Foundation-supported Centre for Solid-State Electric Power Storage research program.
Atomic Eagle extends uranium mineralisation at Muntanga
Atomic Eagle Ltd (ASX:AEU, FRA:6QZ0) has provided an exploration update from its 100%-owned Muntanga Uranium Project in Zambia.
Resource extension drilling at Chisebuka continues to expand the boundaries of previously defined uranium mineralisation.
Recent results include 5.4 metres at 422 ppm eU₃O₈ from 47.0 metres in CHDTH2214, 12.8 metres at 237 ppm eU₃O₈ from 40.9 metres in CHDTH2211, 10.3 metres at 210 ppm eU₃O₈ from 81.4 metres in CHDTH2231 and 7.3 metres at 284 ppm eU₃O₈ from 47.2 metres in CHDTH2231.