Why Koonenberry Gold, Pure Hydrogen, and 18 other ASX stocks are exploding—what’s fueling this resource rally?

On April 2, Australian investors doubled down on resource-heavy stocks, propelling junior explorers and clean energy plays to the top of the ASX gainers list. Koonenberry Gold Ltd was the session’s most striking performer, soaring 41.46% to $0.058, with over $3.4 million in turnover. This surge brings its 12-month gain to 222.22%, fueled by increasing investor appetite for junior gold stocks amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Koonenberry’s flagship gold exploration projects in New South Wales have positioned it as a speculative hedge for investors seeking exposure to gold’s inflation-resistant properties. Its performance reflects a broader trend of capital inflows into mining companies with early-stage discoveries in historically rich terrains.

Why Ozaurum Resources Ltd and Red Mountain Mining Ltd are attracting gold bulls

Ozaurum Resources Ltd followed closely, jumping 25% to $0.11, while Red Mountain Mining Ltd advanced 22.22% to $0.011. With market caps of $24.92 million and $5.11 million respectively, both companies are junior gold explorers benefitting from the sector’s safe-haven appeal.

Ozaurum, which has assets in Western Australia’s Leonora district, continues to draw attention due to ongoing drilling results. Red Mountain, despite being down 37.14% over the past year, appears to be regaining momentum on speculative buying.

Tambourah Metals Ltd, Summit Minerals Ltd and Prospect Resources Ltd extend rally in mineral exploration

Gold wasn’t the only commodity drawing capital. Tambourah Metals Ltd rose 17.86% to $0.033, followed by Summit Minerals Ltd up 14.55% to $0.063, and Prospect Resources Ltd gaining 13.04% to $0.13. These companies, all operating in the basic materials sector, are riding renewed enthusiasm for lithium, rare earths, and gold.

Prospect Resources has gained 62.5% over the past year, bolstered by its Zimbabwe lithium projects and a $74.45 million market cap that positions it as a standout among small-cap battery metals stocks. Summit and Tambourah, with smaller valuations, remain higher-risk plays but are being repositioned by investors as potential beneficiaries of global supply chain realignment.

ADX Energy Ltd, Buru Energy Ltd and Emperor Energy Ltd rise on oil and gas momentum

Energy plays also saw outsized moves. ADX Energy Ltd and Buru Energy Ltd both climbed 16.67%, while Emperor Energy Ltd added 10.35%. These companies—each under $35 million in market capitalisation—operate in oil and gas, a sector regaining attention as geopolitical risks drive interest in domestic energy supply.

Despite steep year-on-year declines (ADX: –76.67%, Buru: –61.82%), investors appear to be bargain hunting ahead of the Australian winter, when gas demand typically rises. Emperor’s east coast assets in the Gippsland Basin are also becoming more relevant as policymakers focus on energy security.

Why Pure Hydrogen Corporation Ltd is surging in Australia’s clean energy shift

Pure Hydrogen Corporation Ltd jumped 15.79% to $0.088, continuing its rise as a speculative favourite among clean tech investors. While its stock remains 16.19% lower than a year ago, recent pilot projects in hydrogen mobility and its plans for hydrogen production hubs have positioned it as a leading hydrogen pure-play in Australia.

Hydrogen-related investments have become central to Australia’s decarbonisation narrative, especially after the federal government’s National Hydrogen Strategy review. With a $32.87 million market cap, Pure Hydrogen remains a high-risk, high-reward bet in a rapidly evolving clean energy space.

Alliance Nickel Ltd and Ark Mines Ltd benefit from critical mineral momentum

Alliance Nickel Ltd rose 12.5% to $0.036, reflecting investor confidence in its Kalgoorlie-based nickel assets. Nickel, critical for EV battery production, has come under supply pressure due to reduced output from Indonesia and regulatory crackdowns on Chinese refining.

Ark Mines Ltd, which gained 11.11% to $0.15, focuses on rare earths and critical minerals in northern Australia. With electric vehicle and wind turbine demand set to accelerate, Ark’s projects are aligned with global supply priorities despite its early-stage nature.

Locality Planning Energy Holdings Ltd advances as utilities shine in volatile market

Locality Planning Energy Holdings Ltd (LPE) posted a 12.5% gain to $0.135, with a 125% one-year return. The Queensland-based energy retailer has benefited from strong customer growth and improved margins in embedded networks and strata-managed communities. Utilities often act as defensive assets, which explains LPE’s resilience amid broader volatility.

Peregrine Gold Ltd, Aruma Resources Ltd and Norwest Minerals Ltd see speculative buying in penny stocks

Peregrine Gold Ltd closed 10.53% higher at $0.21, while Aruma Resources Ltd and Norwest Minerals Ltd each rose 10% to $0.011. Despite lower trading volumes, these stocks have been frequent targets for retail investors seeking leveraged exposure to exploration-stage gold and base metal discoveries.

While Aruma and Norwest are still trading well below past highs, their participation in Wednesday’s rally reflects broader investor optimism across the junior mining space—especially in companies with unexplored or underexplored tenements.

Peak Minerals Ltd and Zeotech Ltd ride battery metals and advanced materials wave

Peak Minerals Ltd gained 10% to $0.011, marking a 291.15% increase over the past year. The company’s exposure to copper—a metal increasingly viewed as the “backbone” of electrification—has made it an attractive microcap in the current market cycle.

Meanwhile, Zeotech Ltd rose 10.09% to $0.06. Specialising in synthetic zeolites used in environmental remediation and CO₂ capture, Zeotech has carved out a niche in Australia’s advanced materials market. Its $111.22 million market cap places it among the largest of the day’s top performers, with a 140% return over 12 months reinforcing its upward trend.

Metal Hawk Ltd leads 12-month returns as gold-nickel narrative accelerates

Metal Hawk Ltd rounded out the top gainers list with a 9.64% rise to $0.455. The gold and nickel explorer has seen its shares skyrocket 559.42% over the past year, the strongest 12-month return among all 20 gainers. The company’s success is largely attributed to promising drill results and its ability to attract strategic funding for exploration across its Western Australia tenements.

Its ability to ride both the gold and battery metals narratives has helped Metal Hawk gain favour with both institutional and retail investors.

What’s driving this shift toward gold, hydrogen, and mineral exploration stocks?

The day’s rally reflects a broader repositioning among Australian investors toward resource-driven growth, inflation hedges, and decarbonisation themes. With the Reserve Bank of Australia holding rates steady at 4.1% and warning of downside risks from global trade conflicts, particularly those triggered by renewed US tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration, investors are hedging their portfolios with exposure to commodities and real assets.

Gold remains attractive during inflationary periods. Hydrogen and nickel are gaining relevance amid green energy transition targets. And speculative miners continue to draw capital as global investors seek high-upside opportunities in jurisdictions like Australia, where geopolitical and regulatory stability enhances long-term confidence.

While some of these companies are pre-revenue and highly volatile, the thematic alignment with national and global policy shifts—from battery storage to energy security—has made them early beneficiaries of renewed investor focus.