The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries (XSO) edged lower in the latest session, slipping 7.4 points or 0.21% to 3,581.30.
Despite the daily decline, the small-cap benchmark remains 18.6 points, or 0.52%, higher over the past five sessions.
Today marks day two of the RIU Resources Investor Roadshow. Today's event will be held in Sydney at the Swissôtel, with several small caps ready to engage directly with investors. Thst hasn't stopped the news flow this morning, with resource companies delivering operational, financial and development updates spanning battery technology, gold and copper production, antimony exploration and rare earths processing. You can read about the following and more throughout the day.
Critical Resources secures CSIRO backing for battery manufacturing technology
Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR, FRA:9S70) has secured co-funding through the CSIRO Kick-Start program for a collaborative research project targeting optimisation and scale-up of its battery manufacturing technology.
The program will focus on the company’s solvent and binder-free Dry Supersonic Deposition (DSD) manufacturing process, which forms a central part of Critical Resources’ licensable battery manufacturing intellectual property.
CSIRO will use its Digital Twin modelling capability to analyse the DSD process, drawing on Critical Resources’ own operating parameters and multiple process variables.
The work is designed to identify potential improvements, reduce technical risk and provide recommendations that could support further development and, if successful, scale-up of the process for battery cathode and electrolyte manufacturing.
Greatland generates $862 million profit in first full Telfer year
Greatland Resources Ltd (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF, FRA:G8G, ASX:GGP) has reported net profit after tax of $862 million for the year ended June 30, 2026, its first full financial year operating Telfer following the acquisition of the asset in December 2024.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation came in at $1.33 billion, while revenue reached $2.26 billion.
Greatland sold 326,859 ounces of gold at an average realised price of $6,223 per ounce and 14,730 tonnes of copper at an average realised price of $14,895 per tonne.
The company generated $737 million in free cash flow and built cash by $714 million during the year.
Closing cash stood at $1.29 billion, with total available liquidity of $1.76 billion including $475 million of undrawn corporate debt facilities.
The strengthened balance sheet gives Greatland additional capacity to fund organic growth across both Telfer and Havieron.
Krakatoa pushes Zopkhito toward maiden resource
Krakatoa Resources Ltd (ASX:KTA) is progressing surface and underground drilling at the Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia as it works toward a maiden JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.
Surface drilling has moved into the western zone, where several previously undrilled veins are being targeted, while underground work in the central zone is generating additional geological data and samples.
The company is also advancing geological modelling and preparation for metallurgical sampling, with the broader program focused on validating historical information and improving the geological model for the project.
First assay results are expected shortly.
Krakatoa is also working toward completion of its initial 10% ownership acquisition in Zopkhito.
Chief executive Mark Major described the exploration and technical programs as progressing across both underground and surface work, with the current campaign building the technical foundation needed to define a maiden resource.
St George targets rare earths processing hub in Brazil
St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ, FRA:S0G, OTC:SGQMF) has launched a strategic initiative aimed at assessing the development of a rare earths processing centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The company has entered into a Protocol of Intent with Brazilian industrial group Lima & Pergher, through its START chemical and industrial division, together with the Minas Gerais State Economic Development Department and development agency Invest Minas.
The agreement establishes a framework for the parties to assess the potential development of the Minas Gerais Rare Earths Processing Centre.
If progressed, the initiative could ultimately form the basis of a longer-term commercial enterprise involving the construction and operation of a rare earths processing hub in the state.
The collaboration was unveiled at EXPOSIBRAM, Brazil’s largest mining conference, being held this week in Belo Horizonte.