The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries index [XSO] finished higher on Friday, adding 42.80 points, or 1.26%, to close at 3,439.80.
The move also left the small-cap benchmark modestly ahead over the past five sessions, up 7.40 points, or 0.22%, as investors continued to assess company-specific updates across resources, energy, materials and technology-linked sectors.
Several ASX-listed companies have moved to update the market this morning on leadership changes, distribution agreements and exploration progress.
Noble Helium appoints new CFO
Noble Helium Ltd (ASX:NHE, OTC:NBHEF, FRA:GN1) has appointed Jani Surjan as chief financial officer, effective July 6, 2026, as part of a planned refocusing of the company’s board and management team.
Surjan takes over following the transition of Owain Franks from the role.
He is a chartered accountant with more than 30 years of commercial and public practice experience, predominantly across the oil and gas sector.
The appointment comes as Noble Helium continues to position itself around its helium-focused strategy, with management changes aimed at supporting the company’s next phase of development.
First Graphene signs China distribution MOU
First Graphene Ltd (ASX:FGR, OTCQB:FGPHF, FRA:M11) has signed a memorandum of understanding with The Sixth Element (Changzhou) Material Technology Co Ltd, appointing the Chinese-headquartered company as a key distributor in China for First Graphene’s PureGRAPH® CEM additive.
The agreement targets the cement and concrete sector in China, the world’s largest market for the industry.
Under the MOU, Sixth Element will receive exclusivity, subject to annual purchase targets being achieved.
First Graphene said the partnership provides a pathway to expand the commercial reach of PureGRAPH® CEM in a major addressable market, where graphene-enhanced additives have potential applications in improving performance and sustainability outcomes for cement and concrete products.
Dalaroo expands Blue Lagoon exploration program
Dalaroo Metals Ltd (ASX:DAL) has provided an update on its 2026 exploration program at the 100%-owned Blue Lagoon Rare Earth Project in southern Greenland.
The company said the 2025 field season demonstrated that Blue Lagoon hosts a laterally extensive rare earth and critical mineral system.
Just six months after discovering what it describes as a district-scale rare earth and critical mineral system, Dalaroo has returned to the project with a significantly expanded exploration program.
The work is now focused on identifying fertile intrusive source rocks, defining the geological processes responsible for concentrating rare earth-bearing minerals and building the geological framework required to support future drilling and project advancement.
Dalaroo said early observations from the expanded program were already exceeding initial expectations.
AuMEGA names new president
AuMEGA Metals Ltd (ASX:AAM, TSX:AUM, OTCQB:AUMMF, FRA:FRA: MA30) has announced a leadership change, with Michael Skead stepping down as president, effective immediately, for personal reasons.
The company has appointed Rafael Gradim as president, effective August 1, 2026.
AuMEGA, which is focused on precious and critical minerals opportunities, said the change forms part of its ongoing corporate and operational progression.
The transition comes as the company continues to advance its exploration and development strategy across its project portfolio.
Alkane reports high-grade gold-antimony results at Costerfield
Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX:ALK, OTC:ALKEF) has reported new exploration results from extension and infill drilling at the True Blue deposit, 2 kilometres west of the active underground workings at its Costerfield Operation in central Victoria.
The company has completed an additional 33 holes targeting the Freeman veining within the True Blue deposit since its previous update in October 2025.
The latest drilling mainly focused on infill work in the upper portion of the deposit and has increased confidence in the understanding of vein geometry and grade-controlling structures.
Alkane said the higher-resolution drilling also indicated further veining complexity, which has broken up a previously interpreted high-grade panel.
Assay highlights from the Freeman (700) Vein included 57.6 g/t gold and 25.4% antimony over 0.25 metres in TB055, 20.9 g/t gold and 19.5% antimony over 0.31 metres in TB057, 4.3 g/t gold and 6.4% antimony over 0.8 metres in TB080, and 30.1 g/t gold and 14.8% antimony over 0.27 metres in TB065.
Current and future exploration drilling will target along-strike repetitions of mineralisation at True Blue to the north and south, while also investigating the link between True Blue and the West Costerfield prospect.