Penny Taylor

Neometals' latest induced polarisation survey has lit up multiple drill-ready copper targets around the historic Rinaldi workings at its Barrambie project in WA's Mid West, headlined by a standout anomaly stretching more than 300m vertically. The company is preparing to fold copper testing into a June drilling campaign centred on the nearby Ironclad gold prospect, while neighbouring success at Solstice Minerals' Nanadie project adds weight to the broader copper story.

Dalaroo Metals has secured two new exploration licences in Greenland at its Blue Lagoon project, tightening its grip on a rapidly emerging district-scale critical minerals system. The expanded footprint strengthens the company's exposure to rare earth elements, zirconium, niobium and hafnium across prospective onshore and offshore targets as it ramps up field programs testing a broader “source-to-sink” geological model.

88 Energy has blown out South Prudhoe prospective resources by 35 per cent to 768.9 million barrels on Alaska's giant North Slope after adding a maiden Brookian oil estimate and upgrading the Ivishak reservoir. Augusta-1 will now test 133.7 million barrels across stacked producing formations beside Prudhoe Bay, with Rig-3 secured and farmout talks progressing ahead of drilling in 2027.

88 Energy has secured an unconditional 20 per cent stake in its giant oil and gas project in Namibia after restructuring its farm-in deal with Monitor Exploration. The move cuts future commitments by US$15M while preserving exposure to the emerging Damara Fold Belt play, where nearby drilling by ReconAfrica has continued to build the hype for a potential basin-opening petroleum system.

88 Energy is charging into a defining phase, with a strategic reset now culminating in a long-awaited test of its Alaska engine room. The company's Augusta-1 at South Prudhoe is shaping up as a near-term high-impact well, while Project Phoenix is closing in on a fully funded horizontal flow test. Backed by modern seismic and infrastructure access, the company is shifting towards potential development outcomes.

Triangle Energy has promoted Rory McGoldrick to chief executive officer as part of a broader reset following the spinout of its wholly owned Tetragon Energy. The company will focus on its Perth Basin and United Kingdom gas assets, while progressing the Cliff Head divestment. Former managing director Conrad Todd has shifted to a non-executive role and will lead Tetragon Energy ahead of its planned ASX listing.

Xpedra Resources has bolstered its New South Wales portfolio by acquiring the high-grade Neeld gold project, a historic producer of about 439,000 ounces at exceptional grades of 41g/t. At the same time, early drilling at its Springfield project, 200km to the north-east, has delivered wide, shallow gold zones, confirming a growing mineralised system and positioning the company with a blend of high-grade, bulk tonnage exploration upside.

Aurum Resources has reported multiple gold hits from its Boundiali project in Côte d'Ivoire, with thick intercepts at its BDT2 deposit extending mineralisation beyond current resource limits. The results support ongoing drilling aimed at resource growth and confidence upgrades ahead of upcoming feasibility studies.

Red Metal Limited's maiden drilling at its Pulkarrimarra project in Western Australia's Paterson Province has confirmed the presence of fertile host rocks and hydrothermal systems linked to copper and gold mineralisation. While assays did not return economic grades, the program validated key geological targets and highlighted several untested anomalies, positioning the project as a priority focus for further exploration.

Neometals has executed a binding joint venture with BML Ventures to develop its Ironclad gold deposit at Barrambie in Western Australia, paving the way for near-term production. Backed by a recent resource upgrade and scoping study, the deal will see profits split 50:50 and is designed to unlock early cash flow while advancing broader exploration upside.

Beetaloo Energy has bagged $66.3 million in fresh capital in a strongly supported placement and secured a $45M infrastructure facility, locking in a fully funded runway to first pilot gas from its Carpentaria project in Q4 2026. The raise will also fund flow testing, the infrastructure build-out and further exploration, appraisal and development across its expansive Beetaloo Basin acreage.

Peninsula Energy has converted about US$4.1M of its convertible loan into roughly 19.8M shares at A$0.30, reducing its Davidson Kempner facility to about US$4.2M. The move marks the second reduction of the US$15M facility secured in July 2025 and aligns with its A$0.30 equity raise, strengthening the company's balance sheet as it advances uranium production at Lance.

Beetaloo Energy is emerging as a standout in the Northern Territory Beetaloo Basin after global major INPEX farmed into nearby acreage and competitors refined their positions. With 100 per cent ownership, strong flow results and key approvals secured, the company offers a rare unencumbered entry point as corporate interest builds ahead of potential first gas in 2026.

Triangle Energy has locked in financing from ASX-listed Winchester Energy and Triangle's wholly owned subsidiary, Tetragon Energy, to fund an Indonesian Joint Study in an offshore oil and gas exploration license in Indonesia. The deal will spread the costs and risk while allowing the company to retain a 51 per cent stake and operatorship in any future PSC.

OPINION: Nothing will change in WA's local government sector until it tackles widespread behavioural issues, writes Penny Taylor.