When we talk about modern mineral discoveries in Australia, two names inevitably surface in the same breath: Prominent Hill and Carrapateena. Both sit in South Australia’s Gawler Craton, both are world-class Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) systems, and both ended up becoming cornerstone assets for OZ Minerals, now part of BHP. But lumping them together as “IOCG discoveries” misses the deeper story.

A Real Critical Mineral Narrative - Tungsten in 2026 - When a Minor Metal becomes a Strategic Lever - An Investors dream with Global Low Inventory and a Surging Demand

DY6 Metals Ltd (ASX: DY6) has released new rutile and graphite assay results from reconnaissance auger drilling across the Nsimbo and Alamba licences, part of the broader Central Rutile Project in Cameroon (Figure 1). The program confirms multiple thick rutile zones from surface and the presence of Kasiya-style flake graphite within mottled and saprolite horizons. These results underline the dual-commodity potential emerging across this 8,782 km² landholding.

FMR Resources Limited (ASX: FMR) has provided an update from the Llahuin Project Joint Venture in Chile, where it partners with Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited (ASX: SUH). Drilling at Target A – Southern Porphyry has now advanced to 1,198.9 metres downhole, intersecting zones of copper-bearing veining and strong potassic–biotite alteration above the main magnetotelluric (MT) anomaly.

Rox Resources Limited (ASX: RXL) has secured a significant equity raising to advance the development of the high-grade Youanmi Gold Project, located near Mt Magnet in Western Australia, approximately 480km northeast of Perth (Figure 1). The placement represents one of the largest capital injections into a WA gold development project in recent years, positioning the Company to move into construction and long-lead procurement.

Prodigy Gold NL (ASX: PRX) has released a strong suite of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling results from the Hyperion Gold Deposit, part of the Tanami North Project in the Northern Territory (Figure 1). The 19-hole, 2,339m program across the Hyperion, Seuss, and Tethys Lodes continues to reinforce the project’s scale, grade continuity, and potential for multiple high-grade zones.

Pure Hydrogen Corporation Limited (ASX: PH2) has released two important ASX announcements outlining a step-change in its strategic positioning across Australia’s zero-emission (ZE) vehicle and clean mobility sector. The first update (29 October 2025) details a new collaboration between Pure’s subsidiary, Pure One Operations, and Advanced Manufacturing Queensland (AMQ) to begin assembling hydrogen fuel-cell trucks and the Ford F-150 Lightning locally in Brisbane.

Mount Ridley Mines Limited (ASX: MRD) has announced a significant expansion of its tenure at the Mount Ridley Gallium and Rare Earth Project, located north of Esperance, Western Australia (Figure 1). The new Exploration Licences now consolidate the entire Grass Patch Complex — a distinctive geological domain marked by gravity and magnetic highs, interpreted to be associated with mafic intrusions, and recognised as a primary source of gallium and heavy rare earth enrichment.

West Cobar Metals Limited (ASX: WC1) has released new findings from the Salazar Critical Minerals Project, located approximately 150km northeast of Esperance (Figure 1). A detailed review and re-analysis of historical drilling, paired with new RC work across Newmont, O’Connor, and adjacent prospects, has confirmed extensive gallium mineralisation throughout the system.

Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX: PIQ) has received $2.2 million in R&D tax incentive refunds for the 2024–25 financial year, reinforcing its financial position as the Company advances multiple diagnostic products towards commercialisation. Based in Perth, Western Australia, the Company continues to develop next-generation diagnostic tools built on its proprietary Promarker® technology platform, with applications across chronic disease detection, women’s health,