The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index (ASX:XSO) closed at 3,534.20 points yesterday, gaining 17.10 points or 0.49%.
Over the past five trading days, however, the index remains 5.90 points or 0.17% lower.
Against that mixed broader-market backdrop, small-cap companies continue to report exploration results, project agreements and technology milestones. You can read about the following and more throughout the day.
Kingfisher confirms high-grade lead-zinc-silver mineralisation
Kingfisher Mining Ltd (ASX:KFM) has reported high-grade assay results from recently completed reverse circulation drilling at the Allendale Silver-Lead-Zinc Project, around 40 kilometres north of Broken Hill in New South Wales.
Kingfisher holds a 75% interest in the project, with Broken Hill Mines holding the remaining 25%.
The latest drilling confirmed significant high-grade lead-zinc-silver mineralisation and built on zones identified through historical drilling.
Results included 9 metres at 8.05% combined lead and zinc and 17.9 g/t silver from 64 metres in hole 26ADRC_052.
Within that interval, drilling returned 5 metres at 10.37% lead and zinc and 23.2 g/t silver from 65 metres, together with a separate 4-metre interval at 6.12% lead and zinc and 22.7 g/t silver from 78 metres.
Hole 26ADRC_050 returned 7 metres at 3.32% lead and zinc and 7.9 g/t silver from 37 metres, including 3 metres at 5.42% lead and zinc and 13.2 g/t silver from 38 metres.
Historical drilling at Allendale previously returned intersections including 10 metres at 16.1% lead and zinc and 29 g/t silver from 15 metres, and 2 metres at 19.9% lead and zinc and 39.2 g/t silver from 47 metres.
Astral signs Mandilla and Spargoville land use agreement
Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR), through wholly owned subsidiary Mandilla Gold Pty Ltd, has executed a Land Use Agreement with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claim Group covering the Mandilla and Spargoville tenements.
The projects are around 70 kilometres south of Kalgoorlie.
The agreement establishes a framework for reconciliation, cooperation and partnership between Astral and Marlinyu Ghoorlie as the parties develop their relationship and respective interests.
SCX.ai prepares for ASX listing
SCX.ai is scheduled to list on the ASX on Friday, August 21, providing investors with exposure to Australia's emerging sovereign artificial intelligence infrastructure sector.
The company provides Australian-based AI inference infrastructure through a vertically integrated platform combining purpose-built AI hardware, local data centres and proprietary software.
Its platform is designed to provide Australian enterprises, government organisations and AI developers with access to high-performance AI infrastructure while keeping data and workloads within Australia.
Cadoux technology involved in US hypersonic test flight
Cadoux Ltd (ASX:CCM, OTCQB:FYIRF) is participating in a hypersonic test flight in the United States through batteries incorporating its premiumHPA® material.
The test flight, being conducted by Pluto Aerospace at Spaceport America in New Mexico, is scheduled for August 18, 2026.
Pluto plans to conduct a vertical launch test of one of its Dash rockets fitted with Navitas batteries incorporating Cadoux's premiumHPA®.
The batteries, developed by Navitas and AETC, will provide power for the rocket's onboard control management system.
Sunstone extends Porotillo mineralisation
Sunstone Metals Ltd (ASX:STM, FRA:AL9) has reported further drilling results from the Bramaderos Gold and Copper Project in southern Ecuador, extending mineralisation beyond the project's current 3.6 million-ounce resource.
Drill hole PTDD020 at the Porotillo discovery returned 176 metres grading 0.50 g/t gold equivalent from surface, including 58.6 metres at 0.66 g/t gold equivalent.
Porotillo has now been outlined across an area of about 550 metres by 240 metres.
The latest drilling and trenching results are expected to contribute to an upcoming resource update alongside other areas of mineralisation identified during the recent exploration campaign.