Public Company News

Aruma Resources has set the rods in motion at its flagship Salmon Gums gold project in WA’s Eastern Goldfields as it looks to follow up previous bonanza hits of 5m running at 50.2 grams per tonne gold. The exploration program is designed to probe the extent of gold mineralisation at the company’s Iris and Thistle prospects which sit along a 4km stretch of greenstone belt housing Pantoro’s nearby 3.9 million tonne Scotia deposit averaging 3.6 g/t.

Altech Batteries has launched what it says is game-changing technology in the design of its new sodium chloride battery “GridPack”, which it expects to be up to 40 per cent cheaper to produce than lithium-ion batteries. Designed for the renewable energy storage market, the battery uses sodium ions found in table salt and avoids using scarce and expensive metals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite and copper.

A detailed 3D seismic cube has helped Legend Mining identify what it says are compelling targets within its Octagonal nickel-copper prospect, which sits within the same structural corridor as IGO’s Nova-Bollinger deposit in WA’s Fraser Range. The company says data processing results support its exploration model that suggests the intrusive complex continues below previously completed drilling.

Zuleika Gold has its drills on standby after it uncovered encouraging gold anomalies in Menzies. The finds have provided a boost for its hopes of producing the precious yellow metal in the “medium term”. The company says one anomaly is 2km long and coincides with a line of poorly-tested historical workings. It plans to complete an in-field review, with possible in-fill geochemistry, prior to drilling.

Askari Metals is eagerly-awaiting results from a reconnaissance mission targeting rare earths at Barrow Creek after rock chip samples highlighted results of up to 4553 parts per million total rare earth oxides. The project is within 40km of Arafura’s Nolans Bore deposit that hosts a JORC-compliant mineral resource of 56 million tonnes at 2.6 per cent TREO. Askari believes it may host similar geology.

Infinity Mining is turning towards space to find what lurks underground at its Tambourah South project in the East Pilbara, where it is chasing pegmatite-hosted lithium, rubidium and rare earths mineralisation. The company is installing a new, advanced geophysical method to map several hundred metres of subsurface and to create 3D data visualisation to help focus its exploration activities.

White Cliff Minerals will focus its rare earths exploration on the company’s Hines Hill, Diemals and Lake Tay projects after the sale of its Yinnetharra lithium-rare earths project to ASX-listed Minerals 260. The company will receive a total of seven million Minerals 260 shares and $100,000 cash for the sale of Yinnetharra in the Gascoyne region of WA. The transaction value of the deal comes to $2.445 million.

Lindian Resources has secured $9 million in funding for its Kangankunde rare earths project, with chairman Asimwe Kabunga tipping in $500,000 as the company closes in on its processing plant construction. The funds come via a share placement at a near 10.5 per cent premium on the past closing price. Two new investors have poured in $7.5 million and $1 million respectively.

Ora Banda Mining directors and London-based investor Hawke’s Point have stumped up a combined $9.2m as part of a $30m capital raise to fund the cost of operating the reimagined underground Riverina project. The company says the well-supported shares placement and planned development of the underground system will help set it on the path to producing 100,000 gold ounces annually by the 2025 financial year.

Australians suffering hard-to-beat cancers are set to be the first to benefit from trials of new treatments conducted as part of a two-year partnership between Radiopharm Theranostics and GenesisCare. Tumours in the brain, lung and prostate will be targeted in three first-phase clinical trials in Australia, which will be aimed at studying the safety and tolerability of Radiopharm’s novel radiopharmaceutical treatments.

Seismic data from the Perth Basin has unveiled four high-graded oil and gas targets within two permits for a joint venture led by WA-based producer Triangle Energy. Drilling is now scheduled for the first half of next year, while work is also ongoing to further define the identified targets, in addition to adding others to the list.

While many gold producers are delighted to churn out 100,000 ounces a year, five leading companies wouldn’t get out of bed for that. Take a look which WA company stands head and shoulders above them all.