Public Company News

Auroch have begun drilling ahead of schedule in Portugal, just weeks after entering the country with a bold, deep-drilling exploration project targeting high-grade copper and zinc. The first diamond drill hole is expected to take between four and six weeks to test its target, which is just 20kms along strike from the “supergiant” Neves Corvo copper zinc mine.

The marriage of ASX listed Azonto Petroleum to the unlisted Calima Energy is essentially a story of money meets management experience with the marriage consummated at one of the best addresses in town, the Montney oil and gas play in Canada. Calima is the creation of 5 Subiaco based geoscientists who previously took Ophir Energy from an idea to a 2 billion pound company.

Lithium Australia’s Sileach process has given its best indication yet of its breakthrough potential with the latest trials producing 99.8% Lithium Carbonate without the need to roast concentrate. The result was also achieved using a sub-economic grade of just 3.4% Li20 highlighting the potential of Sileach to bring low-grade Lithium deposits to market.

ASX listed medical device company Analytica has bolstered the intellectual property safeguards around its “PeriCoach” e-health system, with the innovative urinary incontinence device receiving patent protection in Australia. The Australian patent is the latest stage in the company’s IP protection strategy rollout in several key markets including China and Japan.

Pilbara Minerals have received WA Government approval for the Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum project, clearing the way for construction of the world’s next major Lithium supplier near Port Hedland. The company also hinted that news about project financing was imminent, which was widely expected after last week’s announcement of a major off-take agreement being struck.

Northern Minerals have wasted no time at the Browns Range heavy rare earths project, with grade control drilling and an expansion of the mining camp now underway. The company last month approved the $56 million pilot project, which will focus on the production of “Dysprosium”, a high-value rare earth that is a key component of permanent magnets used in electric motors.

A large-scale pilot plant for Lithium Australia’s revolutionary Sileach Lithium processing technology might have a much lower cost than anticipated thanks to savings identified by building it overseas. Lithium Australia says an engineering cost study by CPC Project Design has identified big savings at a potential overseas site, which will be examined more closely.

ASX-listed Sky and Space Global has signed a deal with a leading knowledge sharing service that connects millions of farmers globally. The MOU with WeFarm Inc will look at how Sky and Space could integrate its proposed nano-satellite communication network into WeFarm’s data sharing service that links small-scale farming operators across Latin America to East Africa.

"Internet of things” player Connected IO’s relationship with US telco giant Verizon continues to pay off, resulting in a follow-up order from the American Red Cross. Connected IO will work with Verizon to provide more dependable wireless communication solutions for the Red Cross via its innovative modem like devices that are capable of connecting almost anything to the internet.  

Legend Mining’s methodical and highly technical exploration techniques at the vast Rockford project in the Fraser Range has produced an exciting target to be followed up with diamond drilling as early as next month. Shallow aircore holes have identified mafic rocks mineralised with nickel and copper above a much larger and stronger conductor than previously modeled.

Just like they did with Lithium at Mt Marion, Neometals are again seeking to get ahead of the curve with their new battery re-cycling play in Canada that will focus heavily on reproducing Cobalt in addition to other elements such as Lithium. The company is hoping to eventually produce nearly 700 tonnes of Cobalt a year by recycling old batteries. 

Blackham Resources look like moving into the big league of Australian gold producers within just three years after a preliminary expansion study at the Wiluna Gold Project confirmed a low-cost pathway to annual production of more than 200,000 ounces of a gold. This target would see Blackham double its current production projection.