The S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index finished Friday on a stronger footing, climbing 45.8 points, or 1.4%, to 3,314.60 as investors returned to junior mining and exploration stocks ahead of one of the sector's biggest annual gatherings.

Despite the strong finish to the week, the index remained 7.4 points, or 0.22%, lower over the previous five trading sessions.

While it has been a busy morning for small cap news, the resources sector's attention has now shifted to Kalgoorlie, where the 35th annual Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum is being held from August 3 to 5.

The event brings together listed miners and explorers, brokers, bankers, investors, financiers and mining services companies from around the world.

More than 159 exhibitors are taking part, while corporate presentations, networking events and regional mine visits are expected to provide a platform for companies to promote projects, engage with investors and pursue funding opportunities.

Around 2,600 delegates attended the 2025 event, reinforcing Diggers & Dealers' status as one of Australia's most prominent mining investment forums.

FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX:FFM, TSX:FFM, OTC:FFMFF) has reported further strong drilling results from the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

The six-rig underground drilling program remains focused on increasing data density within the higher-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide and Core zones.

Results will be incorporated into an imminent mineral resource update, which will underpin concurrent economic studies.

A preliminary economic assessment remains on track for completion by the end of August 2026 and will assess several potential development scenarios for Green Bay.

D3 Energy Ltd (ASX:D3E, OTCQX:DNRGF) has spudded the second of two planned wells at Nooitgedacht NGT245 D within the ER315 permit in South Africa's Free State.

The well forms part of an exploration and appraisal program aimed at expanding the company's reserve base and progressing additional exploration areas toward production rights.

Riversgold Ltd (ASX:RGL, FRA:RGV, OTC:RVSGF) has completed additional work area clearance surveys at its Northern Zone Intrusive Hosted Gold Project, about 25 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie.

The heritage and environmental surveys cover access and infrastructure corridors required for project development.

Final reports are expected shortly and will be incorporated into the mining development and closure proposal scheduled for submission to Western Australia's Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration in early September.

Carnavale Resources Ltd (ASX:CAV, FRA:YBB) has completed definitive feasibility study-level metallurgical test work for the Kookynie Gold Project in Western Australia.

Testing returned gold recoveries of between 98% and 99% at a 106-micron grind size, including 98% recovery from oxide and transitional material and 99% from fresh material.

The results support Carnavale's plan to transport high-grade ore from Kookynie to a third-party processing facility under a toll treatment arrangement.

The project, about 60 kilometres south of Leonora, is planned as an initial open-pit operation followed by underground development.

Dalaroo Metals Ltd (ASX:DAL) has received firm commitments to raise $2.5 million through a placement priced at $0.06 per share.

Newly appointed non-executive chairman Bilal Ahmad has committed $400,000, subject to shareholder approval, while directors and senior management have committed a combined $500,000.

Participation from the board, management and in-country advisers totals about $1 million.

Funds will support the company's strategy and ongoing exploration at the Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire.