🔥 Friday 22 May 2026 Fri, 22 May 2026

South Port New Zealand is navigating a significant leadership transition with CEO Nigel Gear stepping down after 8.5 years, replaced by port veteran Derek Nind, while Chair Philip Cory-Wright plans retirement. The company reports strong trading momentum, aiming for a record full year despite geopolitical uncertainties.

Orion Minerals has secured $15.4 million in a placement to accelerate development at its Prieska and Okiep copper projects in South Africa, paving the way for its transition to a copper producer.

Codan Limited is acquiring the intellectual property of US-based Adaptive Dynamics to enhance its electronic warfare and mission-critical communications capabilities, aiming to strengthen its position in next-generation defence programs.

Ballymore Resources has pushed the boundaries of its Torpy’s silver-lead-zinc-indium discovery in North Queensland, with initial results from a fresh 3,000m drilling campaign revealing broad zones of massive sulphide mineralisation closer to surface. Assays are due in June, while a government-backed gravity survey aims to unlock further targets across the Ruddygore corridor.

Godolphin Resources is spinning out its Narraburra Rare Earths Project into a new ASX-listed entity, Matrix Critical Minerals, with MST Financial appointed to spearhead the IPO expected in the second half of 2026.

Arafura Rare Earths launches a two-tranche A$350 million placement and a A$25 million share purchase plan, closing the equity funding gap for its Nolans Rare Earths Project ahead of construction.

Imugene Limited’s allogeneic CAR T therapy, azer-cel, delivered an 81% overall response rate in a Phase 1b trial cohort of CAR T-naïve patients with various CD19 B-cell malignancies, with updated data due at ASCO 2026.

Avira Resources has kicked off siteworks at its Mt Cattlin Gold Project ahead of a 4,500-metre RC drilling program targeting a maiden resource estimate by year-end.

Asara Resources continues to unlock substantial high-grade extensions at its Kada Gold Project in Guinea, with recent drilling confirming broad, consistent gold mineralisation beyond existing resources.

Many Peaks Minerals has raised A$27.5 million through a placement to fund extensive drilling and a pre-feasibility study at its Ferké Gold Project and other Côte d’Ivoire assets.

Appen Limited's FY25 results reveal solid revenue growth driven by generative AI projects and a standout performance from its China segment. The company sets FY26 revenue guidance of $270-300 million, underpinned by operational efficiencies and expanding AI data services.

Felix Gold’s 2025 drilling at NW Array within the Treasure Creek Project reveals multiple broad zones of near-surface high-grade gold and exceptional antimony mineralisation, reinforcing its dual-commodity strategy amid advancing US critical minerals supply.

PainChek has secured A$5.5 million via convertible notes to accelerate its US sales expansion and strengthen working capital amid key commercial milestones.

White Energy has inked a non-binding term sheet to acquire coal assets in Alabama and Queensland, backed by a $15 million capital raise and planned board reshuffle.

Tivan Limited has formalised binding joint venture agreements with Timor-Leste’s state-owned Murak Rai Timor to develop the Baucau and Ossu copper-gold projects, targeting maiden drilling at Ossu in late 2026.

Guzman y Gomez has abruptly exited the US market, citing financial underperformance despite brand progress, while reaffirming strong Australian growth and international franchise confidence.

Rapid Critical Metals has kicked off drilling at its flagship Webbs Silver Project in New South Wales while securing additional prospective ground through a new exploration licence application, aiming to grow its district-scale silver portfolio.

Connexion Mobility Ltd has agreed to acquire Hallam Road Automotive in a A$5 million deal expected to immediately lift earnings per share by up to 35% and reduce exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations.

Vitrafy Life Sciences has achieved a major validation milestone with US Army-backed Phase II results showing its no-wash platelet cryopreservation protocol delivers 94% post-thaw recovery, outperforming existing standards and advancing FDA registration plans.

Helix Resources has snapped up a half interest in the Weerianna Gold-Lithium Project in Western Australia’s West Pilbara, gaining exposure to a historical gold resource and promising lithium potential near a major lithium discovery.

PMET Resources has kicked off a substantial 45,000-meter drilling program at its flagship Shaakichiuwaanaan Property in Quebec, aiming to bolster lithium, caesium, and tantalum resource development ahead of updated economic studies.

Fletcher Building has cleared a major hurdle in its divestment strategy, with the sale of its Construction Division to VINCI Construction now unconditional and the purchase price rising to about $334 million.

Oceania Healthcare Limited has delivered a standout FY26 with 16% higher sales, 20% EBITDA growth, and a 19% reduction in net debt, setting the stage for positive cash flow in FY27 despite no dividend declared this year.