S&P/ASX 200 lifts as Philip Lowe says RBA will continue to assist the economy

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) gained 0.23% to 6782 by 1.52 pm as RBA governor Philip Lowe said the central bank would continue to assist the economy with increased support until it was closer to the goals of full unemployment and steady inflation. Gold miners have gained with Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) rising 3.16% and Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) up 1.75%. Evolution has agreed to acquire Canadian-based miner Battle North Gold (TSE:BNAU) for C$343 million (about A$354 million). The miners have entered into a definitive agreement, which will see Evolution buy all of Battle North's shares on issue. Digital Australian currency for the future Philip Lowe said in a speech at a business analytics event in Melbourne that digital technology was a key area the central bank believed would help the nation’s recovery, with tech-based jobs set to bring down the unemployment level that stand at 6.4%. He added: “Investing in data and our digital capability are critical to our future prosperity. “These investments allow better decision making and a faster response to the changes in our economy and society.” Lowe also revealed that the RBA was looking into the possibility of a digital Australian currency for the future. He said: “The RBA is conducting research on the technologies and policy implications of a potential wholesale central bank digital currency. “This could use distributed ledger technology to support the settlement of transactions in the interbank payment system.” Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Ansila Energy NL (ASX:ANA) (+18.18%), Carnavale Resources Limited (ASX:CAV) (+12.50%), Elixinol Global Ltd (ASX:EXL) (+12.82%), Emmerson Resources Limited (ASX:ERM) (+11.67%), Jindalee Resources Limited (ASX:JRL) (+11.84%), Tempest Minerals Ltd (ASX:TEM) (+24.14%) and Tyranna Resources Ltd (ASX:TYX) (+14.29%). Proactive news headlines: Theta Gold Mines raises funds to support mine study and infrastructure development in South Africa Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) (OTCMKTS:TGMGF) plans to use A$3.13 million raised in a placement to support the development of its starter open-pit gold projects in South Africa. Technology Metals Australia higher on signing key MoU with Japanese VRFB electrolyte company Technology Metals Australia Ltd (ASX:TMT) (FRA:TN6) has executed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LE System Co Ltd (LES) of Japan to assess the potential application of LES’ proprietary technology to extract vanadium and other metals from the Gabanintha Vanadium Project (GVP) waste streams. Core Lithium’s Finniss Project awarded Major Project Status by Federal Government Core Lithium Ltd’s (ASX:CXO) (OTCMKTS:CXOXF) wholly-owned Finniss Lithium Project, near Darwin in the Northern Territory, has been awarded Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian Federal Government. Queensland Pacific Metals' pilot tests on TECH Project MHP deliver strong results Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX:QPM) (FRA:4EA) has received positive assays for mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) produced from recent piloting test-work for the TECH project in Townsville, Queensland. Elixinol Global positions itself as a leading pan-European CBD company by acquiring Germany’s CannaCare Health Elixinol Global Ltd (ASX:EXL) (OTCQB:ELLXF) (FRA:E8M) has entered into a binding agreement for its subsidiary Elixinol BV to acquire CannaCare Health GmbH, a company incorporated in Germany for an upfront consideration of €9 million in cash and shares. Netlinkz has "additional bandwidth" with experienced executive Stephen Gibbs appointed non-executive chairman Netlinkz Ltd (ASX:NET) has appointed experienced executive Stephen Gibbs to the board as non-executive chairman with effect from today. Creso Pharma enters transformational deal to buy established psychedelics company Halucenex Life Sciences Creso Pharma Ltd (ASX:CPH) (OTCMKTS:COPHF) (FRA:1X8) has entered into a transformational agreement to buy established psychedelics company Halucenex Life Sciences Inc, which will strengthen the company’s position in Canada, as well as lead to new market entries and commercialisation opportunities. Chalice Mining and Piedmont Lithium progress to S&P/ASX 300 Index Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN) (OTCMKTS:CGMLF) (FRA:C8U) and Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLL) (NASDAQ:PLL) (OTCMKTS:PDDTF) (FRA:PL4) are strong movers in the S&P/ASX Indices following the March quarterly review by S&P Dow Jones Indices. Carnavale Resources completes Phase 2 aircore drilling as it chases strong Kookynie Gold Project anomalies Carnavale Resources Limited (ASX:CAV) (FRA:YBB) has completed the second aircore drilling program of 117 holes for 5,967 metres at the Kookynie Gold Project in the Western Australian Goldfields. Alta Zinc expands Italian exploration pipeline into copper and manganese mining districts Alta Zinc Ltd (ASX:AZI) has expanded its exploration pipeline into two of the most commercially significant copper mining districts in Italy with the lodgement of applications for two exploration licences (ELs). Bellevue Gold takes another step towards production with highly-experienced project manager appointed Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX:BGL) (OTCMKTS:BELGF) has taken another step towards production with highly-experienced mining executive Rod Jacobs appointed to the newly-created role of project director. Chalice Mining appoints sustainability expert Dr Soolim Carney as Environment and Community general manager Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN) (OTCQB:CGMLF) (FRA:C8U) has appointed the highly-regarded sustainability expert Dr Soolim Carney as general manager – Environment and Community, effective immediately.