** Shares of lithium explorer Pioneer Minerals PMM.AX rise 2.4% to A$0.21, their highest level since Nov. 20
** Co to raise A$1 million ($668,900.00) at an issue price of A$0.18 per share for exploration across its critical minerals projects in the U.S.
** Issue price is at a discount of 12.2% to stock's last close
** Stock ended down 31.7% in 2025
($1 = 1.4950 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru)
((Jasmeenaraislam.Shaikh@thomsonreuters.com;))