Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM, OTC:SVMLF, AIM:SVML) has reported "superior" outcomes in downstream testing on graphite from its Kasiya Project in Malawi, showing suitability for use in lithium batteries and further solidifying the project’s prospects.
Billed as one of the world's lowest-cost and lowest global warming potential sources of natural graphite, the Kasiya Project is home to one of the largest flake graphite deposits globally, alongside a significant natural rutile deposit.
Zenith Energy Ltd (LSE:ZEN, TSX-V:ZEE) shares shot 11% higher and then sank 6% into red at 0.4p after the energy said it had launched legal proceedings against the Republic of Tunisia to claim "at least US$48mln".
The company said it submitted an arbitration request with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in the US, in accordance with an agreement signed between the governments of the UK and Tunisia in 1989.
Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX:PRU, TSX:PRU, OTC:PMNXF) plans to resume preliminary site works and confirmatory drilling activities at the 70%-owned Meyas Sand Gold Project (MSGP) in northern Sudan by the end of this month.
With the MSGP well away from hostilities in Sudan and no immediate threat to the project, Perseus has allowed its employees and contractors to return to the site.
Shares of Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LSE:RBW, OTC:RBWRF) surged 5% on Tuesday after the company launched a pilot operation using material from stockpiles at its South African operation.
In an interview, CEO George Bennett affirmed Rainbow's status as a "fully de-risked company", poised to churn out its first mixed rare earth sulphate by the third quarter.
Premier African Minerals edged 11% higher to 0.7p after it said it is in advanced discussions to add additional material to its offtake and prepayment agreement with Canmax Technologies.
Canmax, which manufactures and sells new energy materials, also confirmed it has no intention to back out of the existing arrangement.
Phoenix Copper’s metallurgy tests using ATS technology on oxide material from the Empire Mine open pit, Idaho, had resulted in robust metallurgical recoveries of copper, gold and silver, the junior said in a statement.
ATS is considered an environmentally friendly reagent, it added, intended to replace the use of sulphuric acid and cyanide in the recovery and processing of copper and precious metals.
Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU), a mining company with a strong focus on gold projects in Turkey, has set ambitious goals to elevate its status to a mid-tier developer.
The company's managing director, Kerim Sener, said: "As part of this process, we are going to pursue support from investors from further afield and will be marketing the company accordingly.
Jubilee Metals Group PLC (AIM:JLP, JSE:JBL, OTC:JUBPF) has won a new tailings processing deal in South Africa with a chrome miner producing in the Bushveld Complex region.
Through the six-year agreement, Jubilee said it will boost its operational chrome footprint by 360,000 tonnes (t) a year, producing 200,000t of chrome concentrate and 10,000oz of platinum group metals (PGM) to its Inyoni plant.
Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LSE:RBW, OTC:RBWRF) has achieved a significant milestone in its development with the start of operations at its Phalaborwa pilot plant in South Africa.
Poised to produce its first high-value mixed rare earth sulphate by the third quarter, this development cements Phalaborwa's status as an important producer of magnet rare earths, vital ingredients in the growing green economy, the company said.
CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL, OTCQB:CTLHF) (CTL) said talks are ongoing with the Chilean government following recent announcements on the country’s National Lithium Strategy.
According to Minister of Mining Marcela Hernando, in a recent interview with Mining.com, the government will only seek control of the operation in projects that are considered "strategic" and currently the only strategic lithium area is in Salar de Atacama.
Great Southern Copper PLC (LSE:GSCU) said it has commenced high-resolution aeromagnetic surveys at its Especularita project in Chile.
Two magnetic surveys are planned, covering each of its Teresita and Victoria prospects where outcropping high-grade copper and gold mineralisation was recently identified.
Rio Tinto has been given a favourable write-up by analysts at Deutsche Bank for the first time in two years.
Worries over iron ore prices, ESG policies and the mining giant’s strategy overall have knocked 20% off its value from its high this year, but the fundamentals leave the business well underpinned suggests the bank.
Polymetal International PLC (LSE:POLY) shares dipped 7% on Monday morning after the precious metals miner hinted Russian subsidiary JSC could be sold in the wake of American sanctions.
“In the light of recent developments [we] have decided to consider all possible options available for divestment of JSC Polymetal and its subsidiaries,” the company said on Monday.
Trident Royalties PLC (AIM:TRR, OTCQX:TDTRF) noted that 2023 is looking more prospective in terms of potential new transactions, as the widespread postponement of capital raising by mining companies during 2022 has created a backlog of project funding.
Reporting results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2022, the company's chairman, Paul Smith, noted that the "combination of higher interest rates and continued depressed equity prices for mining companies are making royalties an increasingly attractive funding alternative".
Andrada Mining Ltd (AIM:ATM, OTC:AFTTF) shares will begin trading on the US OTCQB Market on Monday, offering investors a third exchange from which to buy the stock.
Andrada already trades on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and the Namibian stock exchange, with the third listing opening the door for new broker deals in the US.
Greatland Gold PLC (AIM:GGP, OTC:GRLGF) has divested its Tasmanian tenements Firetower and Warrentinna to Flynn Gold, which exercised its option over the prospects.
Flynn Gold will pay Greatland A$200,000 in shares at A$0.10, with further payments of A$500,000 due upon completion of a JORC mineral resource and another A$500,000 once a permit to mine is awarded.