The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has given back its early gains and dropped into the red this afternoon. As of 3pm, the benchmark index is down 0.24% to 8,568.80 points. 

Much of the drop occurred at 2.30pm when the Reserve Bank surprised markets and announced it would hold interest rates for another month.

While the index has dipped, three ASX 200 shares are going against the grain and gaining ground today. Here's why they're climbing.

Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU)

The Vault Minerals share price has jumped 9.09% today. As of 3pm, the stock is changing hands at 42 cents apiece. 

The gold miner has recouped losses from when its share price dropped 5% on 3 July after it released its preliminary fourth quarter and full-year sales results.

According to the release, Vault Minerals' preliminary four-quarter gold sales were 95,974 ounces. The company's FY 2025 sales were 385,230 ounces, which is 1.2% below the lower end of its FY 2025 sales guidance.

Following the release, Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) wrote a note to investors explaining that while the update was mixed, the broker maintains a positive stance on the stock.

In response to the update, the broker has reduced its earnings estimates for FY 2025 but retains all other estimates out to FY 2027.

It retained its outperform rating and 63 cents target price on the mining stock, which implies a potential upside of 55% for investors over the next 12 months.

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

Droneshield develops and sells artificial intelligence-powered hardware and software to detect drones. It's one of few companies well-positioned to benefit from rising geopolitical tension. 

Its share price has risen 5.08% today, to $2.585. Over the year, the company's share price has climbed an impressive 28.61%. 

The share price has likely been boosted by the company's ASX announcement of a $11.7 million follow-on research and development contract with the Five Eyes Department of Defence.

"This follows the successful completion of the earlier $9.9 million contract announced on 4 July 2023 from the same DoD customer. Five Eyes refers to the defence/intelligence alliance between the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and NZ. There are no remaining conditions for the award of the new contract."

Bell Potter has high conviction in DroneShield's outlook and currently has a buy rating and $2.60 price target on its shares.

Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)

Westgold Resources has also climbed higher today, up 5.47% to $2.89. Over the year, the share price has risen 10.73%.

There are no company announcements from the gold miner today to explain the price movement, but positive company sentiment could be behind the investor interest.

The company has been actively expanding its operations. It recently announced a maiden Mineral Resource of 2.3 million ounces of gold at its Fletcher Zone, part of the Bryah Operations in Western Australia.