Mamba, Patagonia Lithium, Artrya Lead HotCopper Trends

Three stocks dominated the HotCopper forums on Friday as traders reacted to capital raises, exploration results, and a US commercial deal.

Mamba Exploration (ASX: M24) jumped after securing firm commitments from strategic investors, existing shareholders, and institutional investors to raise A$6 million. The company also appointed Peter Cook as strategic adviser and entered a binding earn-in agreement over the Poison Hills project.

Executive Director Matt Freedman said the placement “caps a period of strong momentum” for Mamba. The company recently reported recovery of a historical drillhole database for Meeka East, returning 165 copper intersections in 47 holes at the Copper Hills and Lady Alma prospects. “Mamba now has a growing presence in the region, strong backers and a clear direction,” Freedman said in the HotCopper column.

Patagonia Lithium (ASX: PL3) drew forum attention after completing a 72-hour pump test at its Formentera project in Argentina. The test was designed to determine aquifer performance. Results were consistent with the company’s proximate wells.

Executive Chairman Phillip Thomas said the recovery after pumping finished was “exceptionally fast.” Water level at start was 3.64 metres, he said, and 52.7 metres after shutdown, “showing the aquifer performs very well near the surface, not at 300 or 400m depth.”

Artrya (ASX: AYA) gained on news it signed an agreement with US-based Huntsville Hospital Health System (HH Health). The system was a participant in Artrya’s SAPPHIRE Study.

CEO John Konstantopoulos called the five-year commercial agreement a milestone. “A key objective of SAPPHIRE is to establish deep clinical engagement with US cardiovascular centres and create a pathway toward broader commercial adoption of Salix,” he said in the column. “Huntsville becoming the first SAPPHIRE participant to enter into a five-year commercial agreement demonstrates that strategy in action.”

The S&P/ASX 200 bounced back 37.50 points, or 0.44%, to 8,651.90 on Friday after setting a new 50-day low. The index is virtually unchanged over the past five sessions and year to date.

Separately, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 188,421 registered deaths in 2025, up 1,153 from 2024. Infant deaths increased by 62 to 1,019. More male deaths (98,762) than female deaths (89,659) were recorded.