Big-cap miners and engineers delivered a run of strong interim numbers, with Weir Group's order growth and Rio Tinto's dividend hike setting the tone for a broadly positive session. Further down the market, Hamak Gold unveiled a maiden resource at its West African gold project while a cluster of smaller explorers pressed ahead with drilling programmes and fundraisings across lithium, graphite, zinc and rare earths.
Weir Group orders climb as guidance holds firm
Weir Group (LON:WEIR) reported an 8% rise in orders, with chief executive Jon Stanton pointing to an acceleration in the second quarter driven by market share gains in new bids, competitive trials and demand for the group's innovative solutions. Management reiterated that full-year expectations remain on track, a message the market rewarded handsomely, sending shares up 9.1% to 2754.0p.
Rio Tinto lifts interim dividend 43% as EBITDA jumps 28%
Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) posted a step-change in first-half performance, with underlying EBITDA up 28% and free cash flow up 75% year-on-year. The improvement gave the board room to raise the interim dividend by 43%, and shares edged up 0.8% to 6923.0p.
Metlen signs first European gallium deal with US tech group
Metlen Energy Metals (LON:MTLN) struck its first European gallium supply agreement with a US technology group, underscoring the strategic importance of the critical mineral. The company said the deal reflects confidence from global technology leaders in the quality and reliability of its material, which has undergone extensive qualification testing, with shares ticking up 0.8% to 45.0p.
Glencore holds copper and zinc guidance despite Kidd sale
Glencore (LON:GLEN) confirmed its production guidance for copper and zinc remains intact even after the disposal of its Kidd mine, with chief executive Gary Nagle describing a strong first-half performance across the group's key assets, largely in line with previously communicated targets. Shares rose 2.2% to 517.8p.
Hamak reports maiden 210,000oz resource at Akoko
Hamak Gold (LON:HAMA) unveiled a maiden resource of 210,000 ounces at its Akoko gold project, a result chief executive Karl Smithson called a defining milestone for the company. The news drove shares up 16.7% to 0.725p.
Premier African Minerals raises £550,000 for Zulu operations
Premier African Minerals (LON:PREM) issued 4 billion new shares to raise £550,000, funding working capital at its Zulu lithium project while discussions continue with offtake partner Canmax over a deadline extension. The dilutive raise weighed on sentiment, with shares falling 16.2% to 0.01425p.
Total Graphite launches downstream products programme
Total Graphite (LON:TGR) is building out capabilities in high purity graphite, expandable graphite and active anode material, with chairman Christian Dennis saying the move positions the company to participate across a much larger share of the graphite value chain. Shares slipped 2.9% to 0.825p.
Conroy Gold launches £0.8 million private placement
Conroy Gold and Natural Resources (LON:CGNR) plans to raise up to £0.8 million through a non-brokered private placement priced at 8p a share, with proceeds earmarked for exploration work in Ireland. Shares traded at 8.0p.
Rockfire drilling deepens Molaoi zinc-germanium mineralisation
Rockfire Resources (LON:ROCK) reported that hole HMO-019 extended high-grade zinc, silver and germanium intersections 50 metres below a previous hit, with grades trending higher at depth at its Molaoi project. Shares dipped 3.6% to 0.1036p.
Bradda Head secures rig for Whistlejacket lithium drilling
Bradda Head Lithium (LON:BHL) has secured a drilling rig for its Whistlejacket lithium project, working toward a maiden resource estimate by the end of 2027. Shares stood at 2.3p.
Cobra Resources advances Wudinna rare earths toward production
Cobra Resources (LON:COBR) continues to advance its Wudinna rare earth project, with managing director Rupert Verco noting the project has moved onto a pathway to production a little over two years after discovery. Shares eased 0.8% to 3.92p.
Ecora sees Q2 portfolio contributions jump
Ecora Royalties (LON:ECOR) reported a strong second quarter, with chief executive Marc Bishop Lafleche highlighting the continued cash generation potential of its producing critical minerals royalty portfolio. Shares gained 2.9% to 134.4p.
