James Pearson

Dateline Resources Limited has made a significant breakthrough at its Colosseum gold-rare earths project in California with the discovery of several high-priority rare earth element drilling targets. The results from the company’s recent 3D magnetotelluric geophysical survey revealed one particularly promising anomaly, which hinted at the potential for carbonatite-style mineralisation at depth, akin to the famed nearby Mountain Pass rare earths deposit.

Thunderbird Resources has uncovered a string of high-priority gold targets at its Kookabookra project in NSW, with geophysics revealing sulphide-rich anomalies that correlate with past mineralisation. The company’s drill rig is now poised to hit the ground in the fourth quarter, with strong geological cues pointing to untapped gold systems similar to the nearby Hillgrove antimony-gold deposit.

Horizon Minerals has expanded its footprint in Western Australia’s famed Goldfields with a strategic $2.81 million acquisition of Yandal Resources’ Gordons Dam and nearby projects. The new ground sits just a stone’s throw from Horizon’s Black Swan processing hub and includes a 20,000-ounce gold resource, exploration upside galore and the potential to turbocharge a planned five-year mining operation.

Latitude 66 has fired up a fresh exploration charge at its newly granted Piastri project in WA’s Yalgoo-Singleton greenstone belt. The project, just 200m from the 2-million-ounce Ricciardo gold-antimony deposit being acquired by Capricorn Metals, could hardly be better placed. With funding due from the sale of its Queensland copper project, Latitude 66 is gearing up to chase high-grade gold targets in one of WA’s most fertile mineral corridors.

Perth-based stem cell therapy pioneer NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals is transferring its patented StemSmart technology to one of Australia’s biggest and most experienced manufacturers to scale up clinical-grade production, ahead of the commercialisation of its infusion therapy for hard-to-treat conditions, starting with Crohn’s disease. Queensland-based Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics specialises in manufacturing cellular immunotherapies for national and international clinical trials from 13 cleanrooms dedicated to cell manufacturing and quality control.

Larvotto Resources has fired the starter’s gun on its $140 million Hillgrove antimony-gold project in NSW after locking in a US$105 million bond and $60 million equity raise. With early works already underway, the fully funded operation is targeting first production in Q2 2026. Hillgrove is poised to become the only new source of antimony outside China within the next four years.

Ora Banda Mining has charged into FY26 with soaring gold production at its Davyhurst project in WA’s Goldfields and a new gold discovery that could reshape its future. With the Sand King underground mine now hitting its stride and a 1km multi-lode system uncovered at Little Gem, the company is flexing its muscle across all operations, backed by a strong $84.2 million cash position and $73 million earmarked for exploration.

Aguia Resources has struck a high-grade gold and silver system in its debut drill campaign at the Santa Barbara project in Colombia. First assays from five holes included visible gold and grades up to 44g/t, while underground sampling turned up monster hits north of 85g/t gold. The drilling has confirmed mineralisation continuity beneath current workings and sets the stage for a much larger exploration push.

Melbourne executive Nathan Smith will take the reins as CEO at NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals, bringing his strategic and commercial nous as the company gears up to release its innovative StemSmart stem cell technology. This is the Perth-based biotech’s second heavy-hitting appointment, after it recruited a well-credentialled chief medical officer in Perth-based paediatric haematologist and oncologist Dr Catherine Cole.

Great Southern Mining has kicked off diamond drilling at its Edinburgh Park project in northern Queensland, with three deep holes planned at Leichhardt Creek. Backed by a $15 million Gold Fields Ltd JV, the campaign is targeting massive IP anomalies that mirror geological signatures seen at other nearby major gold-copper systems. With its Mt Dillon prospect up next, the drill bit could be edging closer to a major discovery.

Larvotto Resources has officially sealed a $60 million equity deal to get its Hillgrove antimony-gold project in New South Wales up and running. The raise follows a hefty US$105 million (A$159.6 million) bond issue and gives the company the financial firepower to push through construction and hit first ore in the second quarter of next year. Larvotto is now in the box seat to deliver the West’s next critical minerals supply.

NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals has snagged a well-credentialled WA haematologist and oncologist as its chief medical officer. The company is banking on Dr Catherine Cole’s decades of clinical leadership and trials experience to help it roll out its innovative stem cell therapy. A trial is underway to test its stem cell technology to treat patients with a difficult-to-treat complication of Crohn’s disease.

Aguia Resources has lit the afterburners on its Tres Estradas phosphate project in Brazil, after a massive 70 per cent rise in global phosphate prices drove a sharp uplift in the project’s economics. Aguia plans to start production in early 2026 to tap into a rising fertiliser market, and its revamped, low-CAPEX model is shaping up to deliver outsized returns.

Uranium American Resources, formerly Tonogold, has unveiled a strategic rebrand by changing its US ticker to UARI. The move, which aligns with the company’s acquisition of low-risk US uranium and vanadium projects, completes its transformation into a clean energy mineral player. The transaction was supported by a fresh US$3.5 million placement at 6 cents a share – a 75 per cent premium to the current 3.4 cent price.

Aurumin Limited and Kula Gold have continued to resurrect a forgotten gem in Western Australia’s Southern Cross Goldfields after hauling in another series of dazzling drill hits at the historic Mt Palmer mine. The latest reverse circulation drilling program delivered some serious eye candy for gold bugs, with a standout shallow intercept of 3m at 35.9g/t gold from just 17m, including 1m at 83.6g/t, catching investors’ attention.

Great Southern Mining has sold its Southern Star mining licence to Regis Resources in a savvy deal worth up to $9 million. The agreement, which also cements a strategic data alliance, delivers $4 million in immediate capital for exploration and brings both players closer together for new success across Western Australia’s highly prospective Duketon Greenstone Belt.

Latitude 66 has signed a deal to sell its 17.5 per cent interest in the Greater Duchess copper-gold joint venture in Queensland for $2 million upfront. The agreement includes a potential $4 million bonus if the entire JV is sold within 90 days. The move unlocks non-dilutive cash and aligns with the company’s strategy to monetise non-core Australian assets while focusing on projects in WA and Finland.

Dateline Resources has completed a detailed geophysical survey at its Colosseum project in California, revealing signatures strikingly similar to the nearby famed Mountain Pass rare earths deposit. With early assay results showing rare earths anomalies and a 3D model on the way, the company is eyeing a potential major discovery, underpinned by its “stacked evidence” strategy to target carbonatite intrusions and gold-rich breccia pipes.

Estrella Resources has pulled in a hefty $5 million from a strategic investor who exercised a second option to buy 136.76 million shares at 3.65 cents per share and at a 500 per cent premium to the first conversion in September. The cash boost will be used to fund drilling exploration on the company’s manganese and limestone prospects in Timor-Leste, where Estrella recently made some exciting discoveries.

Aurumin Limited and Brightstar Resources are in merger talks to combine their Sandstone assets into a consolidated 2.4-million-ounce gold project. The proposed scrip deal would give Aurumin shareholders Brightstar equity and is aimed at de-risking and fast-tracking development. While still subject to due diligence, the move could establish one of WA’s most significant near-term gold projects in the Goldfields.

Larvotto Resources has secured formal NSW government approval for its Hillgrove Mod 6 application, clearing the path for mining and processing at its gold-antimony project. The green light allows the company to press forward with final financing, infrastructure upgrades and a planned production start in 2026. The approval also supports key environmental initiatives, including the shift to dry-stacked tailings for more sustainable operations.

Beetaloo Energy has secured crucial consent from Traditional Owners to sell appraisal gas from its Carpentaria gas project in the Northern Territory. The decision followed an on-country meeting organised by the Northern Land Council and paves the way for further development. The company says the agreement has highlighted its commitment to Indigenous partnerships and enables local communities to share in the region’s growing economic opportunities.

Horizon Minerals has kicked off a 30,000m drilling campaign at its Burbanks gold project in WA’s Goldfields. The campaign aims to upgrade confidence in the resource and expand high-grade zones to feed the company’s refurbished Black Swan processing plant. With early hits of up to 45.4g/t gold and historic grades averaging 22.7g/t, Burbanks is shaping as a cornerstone for Horizon’s standalone gold producer strategy.

Dateline Resources boss Stephen Baghdadi has put his money where his mouth is by injecting $1.06 million into the ASX-listed explorer after exercising more than 53 million options. The move has lifted his stake to nearly 13 per cent and gives the company’s flagship Colosseum gold-rare earths project in California a major confidence boost as mining studies and rare earths exploration ramp up.

The moment of truth is close for Great Southern Mining and Gold Fields Ltd, with the JV partners getting near to drilling a 2.4-km-wide porphyry anomaly in Queensland, unearthed by an IP geophysical survey that appears to scream “drill here”. The duo believe they may be onto a “chargeability anomaly” laden with sulphides housing a significant gold-copper deposit and will need the rods to start turning to prove up that theory.

Estrella Resources has struck 7.76m of manganese oxide just below surface at its Ira Miri project in Timor-Leste. The intercept confirms the company’s geological model and follows a successful site visit attended by East Timor’s Prime Minister. With drilling ramping up and assays pending, Estrella is accelerating exploration in the region, supported by enthusiastic community and government backing.

Dateline Resources has kicked off a major geophysical and geochemical survey blitz at its US Colosseum gold-rare earths project aimed at unlocking a dual gold and rare earths play from one of America’s most prospective geological corridors. A high-tech magnetotelluric study has been rolled out to collect detailed imaging data beneath the surface using fluctuations in the earth’s natural electrical and magnetic fields generated from solar winds and lightning to detect buried breccia pipes.

The takeover battle for ASX and Toronto-listed Xanadu Mines has intensified after Chinese giant Zijin Mining, a 15.7 per cent shareholder and JV partner in the company’s Mongolian Kharmagtai copper and gold project, accepted Bastion Mining’s 8c-a-share offer. Zijin’s backing has boosted Bastion’s stake in Xanadu to 29.67 per cent, combining its existing 12.5 per cent holding with recent acceptances and puts it in a strong position to take control.

Javelin Minerals has zeroed in on a suite of highly prospective, undercover gold and copper targets at its Coogee West project in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields, setting the stage for high-impact drilling in the September quarter. The company’s latest geophysical review, run by Core Geophysics, has peeled back the layers at Coogee West to reveal a compelling treasure map of five high-priority anomalies lurking beneath shallow alluvial cover.

Aguia Resources has kicked off drilling at its Santa Barbara gold project in Colombia, with early results revealing mineralised quartz veins just 40m below existing workings. Its first hole hit a 0.7m thick quartz vein at 107.4m depth, showing visible sulphides, including pyrite, sphalerite and galena – all typically linked to gold. The company’s geological model is holding up, and assays are now pending.

Latitude 66 has uncovered a 2.5km gold-cobalt-copper corridor at its K6 prospect in Finland, extending south from its 650,000-ounce K1 gold deposit. A maiden reverse circulation program delivered 12 holes for 315m, hitting broad mineralised zones, including 2m at 0.27g/t gold, 0.13% cobalt and 0.35% copper from 4m. The results suggest K6 may sit on the edge of a much larger system.

Larvotto Resources has struck bonanza gold at its Hillgrove project in NSW, with drilling at its Eleanora-Garibaldi prospect delivering up to 111.27g/t gold equivalent. The standout hit came within a 4.1m intercept, grading 28.08g/t gold equivalent from 119m. The results are part of a 9200m diamond drilling blitz across its Eleanora-Garibaldi and Golden Gate prospects as the company pushes to boost resources ahead of plant construction.