Arizona lithium, Ghanaian gold, Philippine copper-gold, and bonanza-grade surface assays from southern Africa headlined a busy Monday for small-cap mining stocks, with drill-target definition and licence progression the dominant themes across the sector. Bradda Head Lithium (AIM:BHL) led the charge after surface assays at its Whistlejacket project confirmed widespread high-grade lithium mineralisation, sending the shares up more than 9%.
Bradda Head returns 3% Li2O across Whistlejacket surface programme
Bradda Head Lithium (AIM:BHL) published surface assay results from its Whistlejacket lithium project in Arizona that sharpened the case for planned 2026 drilling. Of 60 rock samples collected, 18 returned values above 0.59% Li2O, with the top result reaching 3.03% Li2O, a grade that compares favourably with producing hard-rock lithium operations globally.
The results define a series of high-priority drill targets across the project area, giving the company a clear technical foundation heading into its next field campaign. Bradda Head shares rose 9.1% to 3.0p on the news.
Hamak drills 3.42g/t gold over 23 metres at Akoko North
Hamak Gold (AIM:HAMA) reported a near-surface reverse circulation intercept of 3.42g/t Au over 23 metres at the Akoko oxide gold project in southwest Ghana, a result that also extended known mineralisation eastward of the previously defined zone. The intercept included higher-grade shoots within the broader envelope, reinforcing the project's potential for open-pit oxide extraction.
The Akoko North result adds geological continuity to what is shaping up as a meaningful near-surface gold system in an established West African gold belt. Hamak shares climbed 6.9% to 0.775p.
Rome Resources begins tin mining to advance Kalayi licence conversion
Rome Resources (AIM:RMR) initiated a near-surface tin mining programme at its Kalayi project, a step designed to support the conversion of permit PEPM 13274 into a full mining licence and to underpin a proposed increase in the company's ownership stake to approximately 79%. The programme targets shallow mineralisation and is structured to demonstrate operational capability to regulators as part of the licence progression process.
The move marks a transition from pure exploration to early-stage production activity at Kalayi, adding a tangible commercial dimension to the asset. Rome Resources shares advanced 4.5% to 0.35p.
Metals Exploration secures Batong Buhay porphyry copper-gold rights
Metals Exploration (AIM:MTL) signed agreements granting it exclusive exploration and development rights over the 440-hectare Batong Buhay porphyry copper-gold project in the Philippines. Pre-drilling work is already underway, with a full drill programme targeted for the second half of 2026, adding a significant new porphyry-scale target to the company's existing Philippine portfolio.
Porphyry systems of this type can host large, bulk-tonnage copper-gold deposits, and the move signals Metals Exploration's ambition to expand beyond its established Runruno gold operation. The shares rose 5.9% to 13.45p.
Forgent maiden sampling returns 29.4% copper at Green Rocks
Forgent (AIM:FORG) released maiden surface sampling results from its Green Rocks project that included assays of up to 29.4% copper and 4.8g/t gold, bonanza-grade figures that validated historic data and identified multiple undrilled high-grade targets across the project area. The sampling programme was designed to systematically test anomalies flagged by earlier reconnaissance work.
While surface grab samples of this nature represent early-stage exploration and require follow-up drilling to establish continuity, the grades returned at Green Rocks are exceptional by any measure and position the project as a priority target for Forgent's next field season. The shares were quoted at 0.017p.
