Plans for an expansion of the Ming copper mine owned by Rambler Metals & Mining (LON:RMM) moved one step closer today with the release of a pre-feasibility study designed to show the economic potential of a development of the lower footwall zone.
It was a big gainer, rising 17.95%, and was one of a number of big stories today in the small cap space.
The pre-feasibility showed that a near doubling of the overall capacity at Ming to 1,250 metric tonnes per day could be achieved as a result of a US$66 mln five year capital spending programme.
Away from mining, there were some significant deals made today.
Mobile TV firm Motive (LON:MTV) has struck an agreement with maritime communications group MTN, which extends the reach of its BYOD TV (bring your own device) technology.
Meanwhile, Rex Bionics (LON:RXB) has struck a partnership deal, which sets it up to expand in China.
Chinese investment group MAAB will manage the process of applying for China Food and Drug Administration regulatory approval for REX - its robotic exoskeleton.
IPSA (LON:IPSA) is in talks to sell a portion of the Newcastle Cogeneration (NewCogen) power station in South Africa.
In oil news, Cluff Natural Resources (LON:CLNR) says significant progress has been made a to accelerate the development of its underground coal gasification (UCG) assets in the Southern North Sea.
Halliburton, which was contracted earlier this year, is currently working with Cluff to facilitate and accelerate the drilling of one or more wells.
Independent Oil & Gas (LON:IOG) expects to receive a previously agreed capital injection in the next few days.
Meanwhile, Oilex (LON:OEX) has revealed that the proposed placing of shares to Zeta Resources will now have to be brought forward.
Away from oil, life sciences group Horizon Discovery’s (LON:HZD) more than doubled interim revenue, with a strong second half also predicted.
Speaking of earnings, DP Poland (LON:DPP), which operates Domino's Pizza outlets in Poland, is growing at pace, it revealed in a first half trading update.
Its top three stores delivered average underlying earnings of over £26,000 in the first half compared to £7,600 in the same six months of 2014.
Elsewhere, commodity and energy trading software specialist Brady (LON:BRY) expects to meet forecasts for the full year despite volatile conditions in its markets causing interim sales to dip.
There were also a few boardroom changes announced today.
Michelmersh Brick Holdings (LON:MBH) revealed it will have a joint chief executive in the new year as it announced a near doubling of pre-tax profit in its latest half year.
Constellation Healthcare Technologies (LON:CHT) has appointed the founder of outsource specialist Capita (LON:CPI) to its board as a non-executive.
AIM-quoted Tern (LON:TERN) said Sarah Payne had been appointed as finance director with effect from September 1 this year.
To funding, and Sabien Technology (LON:SNT) has issued new shares to raise £770,000 which will support a new, more aggressive, roll-out strategy for its boiler efficiency product.
Aggregated Micro Power (LON:AMPH) has secured financing of its biomass boiler portfolio after related group AMPIL raised £4.8mln.
Finally, Seeing Machines (LONM:SEE) has picked up a first order for its driver fatigue monitors in Zambia for a fleet of over 100 mining vehicles.
The order, worth US$1.1mln, follows two years of courting miners in the country, Seeing Machines said, targeted at the major copper producers that operate there.