There was a lot mining news today in the world of the small caps.
Starting with diamond firm Golden Saint Resources (LON:GSR), it found a 9.65 carat clear white diamond at its Tongo site to add to its growing collection.
In other diamond news, Mariana Resources (LON:MARL) said it intends to keep its focus on the Hot Maden project in north east Turkey, where a 10,000 metre drill programme is delivering promising high grade results.
Meanwhile, Stellar Diamonds (LON:STEL) said it was delighted with its latest auction of stones from Baoule in Guinea, which brought in sales of US$505,000.
To gold, and Azerbaijan-focused Anglo Asian Mining (LON:AAZ) hailed a strong performance in 2014, which saw record gold production.
ECR Minerals (LON:ECR) said it expects to receive full assay results from its recent drill programme at the Itogon gold project, in the Philippines, in June.
Elsewhere, Shanta Gold (LON:SHG) received regulatory approval for the previously announced US$40mln loan facilities with Investec.
Sector peer Arian Silver's (LON:AGQ; CVE:AGQ) first quarter saw it start commissioning of its new processing plant in Mexico and produce its first silver-lead concentrates.
In other mining-related news, a report by the corporate governance specialist ISS is urging investors in Mwana Africa (LON:MWA) vote against resolutions put down by dissident shareholders proposing an overhaul of the board.
Ortac Resources (LON:OTC) said its exploration partner Andiamo is about to kick off a 1,000m drill programme on the Haykota licence in Eritrea.
Away from miners, newly-listed Stride Gaming (LON:STR) revealed it made a 173% rise in revenues and a move decisively into the black in the first half.
In oil news, Falcon Oil & Gas (LON:FOG) said the start-up of a three-well drill programme in Australia’s Beetaloo shale basin is on track for mid-2015.
Premier Oil (LON:PMO) has declared the Isobel Deep exploration as the latest new Falklands oil discovery. Falkland Oil & Gas (LON:FOGL) and Rockhopper Exploration (LON:RKH) are partners in the well with 40% and 24% respectively, while operator Premier has 36%.
Meanwhile, Lansdowne Oil & Gas (LON:LOGP) said continuing with the current strategy and company structure remains a viable option; though an on-going strategic review will ensure that all opportunities have been considered.
In pharma news, Motif Bio (LON:MTFB) has received official meeting minutes from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) confirming its approval for Phase III clinical development for Iclaprim.
OptiBiotix Health (LON:OPTI), which is developing ingredients to tackle obesity, cholesterol and diabetes, has filed three new patents protecting its technology as it develops its proprietary OptiBiotic platform.
Chief executive Stephen O'Hara told Proactive the new patents received concerning its OptiBiotic platform strengthened the firm's position and potential value.
Elsewhere, Clinigen Group (LON:CLIN) has been appointed the specialist partner to manage the global access programme for a breakthrough treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.
In other news, mobile video security specialist SerVision (LON:SEV) has received an order from Israel's largest bus company for 75 of its units, it said, as it also updated on its agreement in Kazakhstan.
Speaking of orders, attraction ticketing specialist Galasys (LON:GLS) has secured additional Chinese contracts worth £280,000, with the Dalian Wanda Group.
Conversely, Camco (LON:CCE) sold off a tranche of its Californian carbon credit portfolio for US$1.74mln in cash up-front, with a potential further payment of US$0.5mln by the end of this year.
In earnings news, marketing and communications group Porta (LON:PTCM) posted its first ever annual profit as it comfortably outperformed the sector last year.
Finally, data analytics specialist Actual Experience (LON:ACT) has unveiled plans to raise £16mln to boost the sales and technical teams as well as funding its working capital needs for the ‘foreseeable future’.