In a hectic week for the world of miners, we start with gold explorer Stratex International (LON:STI), which confirmed gold indications over a 1.2km strike in the south of its Dalafin gold project in Senegal.
Surface exploration at Madina Bafé indicated a sizeable mineralised zone, said Bob Foster, Stratex’s chief executive.
Sticking with gold, Shanta Gold (LON:SHG) is eyeing an increase in the resource around its New Luika gold mine in Tanzania after consistent grades were returned from close by.
The Elizabeth Hill prospect lies within the existing mining licence at New Luika, approximately four kilometres east of the processing plant.
Also in Tanzania, a second phase study for the coal mine at its Mbeya thermal power project in Tanzania has improved on the original concept in key areas, Kibo Mining (LON:KIBO) said.
Louis Coetzee, chief executive, said the results for the coal mine element of the power project had surpassed all expectations.
Sector peer Oracle Coalfields’ (LON:ORCP) said its coal price petition for the Thar thermal power project in Pakistan was admitted.
The company has petitioned for an US$76.48/tonne average price over the thirty year period of the lease.
Elsewhere, Amur Minerals (LON:AMC) signed a collaborative agreement with the Russian government's Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund to help attract investment from within Russia, India, and China for its Kun-Manie nickel development.
Staying in Russia, gold producer Petropavlovsk (LON:POG) noted its stake in Hong-Kong listed IRC had reduced to 35.83% from 45.39% after IRC raised around US$50mln from an open offer announced on August 5.
Finally, Eurasia Mining (LON:EUA) started drilling at its Monchetundra platinum deposit in Russia, its second project in the country.
The work will add reserves and resources to the project as part of a mining licence application.
From the biggest landmass to the country with the largest population, and coloured gemstone specialist Gemfields (LON:GEM) said the situation in China poses a threat to the luxury goods generally, though less directly to its business.
Harebottle was talking after another steady production quarter from its mines at Kagem and Montepuez.
Emerald and beryl mine Kagem, in Zambia, produced 8.1mln carats (2014: 6.2mln) in the three months to June.
Grades were lower at 222 carats per tonne (271), though more efficient mining meant units costs per carat fell.
In board-related news, Obtala Resources (LON:OBT), is infused with new blood at board level following the appointment of a couple of directors.
The vertically integrated agricultural processing, farming, timber and retail company announced the appointment of Kevin Milne, aged 53, to the board in the role of executive deputy chairman and 37-year-old Miles Pelham as a non-executive director with immediate effect.
Elsewhere, Savannah Resources (LON:SAV) says it's on the hunt for a new non-exec director as it moves to its next phase of development and Charlie Cannon-Brookes retires from the board.
Timber and biomass supply specialist Active Energy (LON:AEG) named legal and corporate finance expert Michael Rowan as a new non-exec director.
In financing news, Namibia-based North River Resources (LON:NRRP) has put together a US$4mln finance package to help move its Namib project towards production.
Shareholders voted down the last attempt at a US$12mln financing in June due to concerns over the size of the stake that would have ended up with major shareholder Greenstone.
Meanwhile, Metal Tiger (LON:MTR) has spent €250,000 of the €500,000 that it’s required to spend this year as part of its earn-in deal on its Logrosán gold and tungsten joint venture in the Spanish province of Extremadura.
In other news, W Resources (LON:WRES) described the latest drilling campaign Régua in Northern Portugal as exceptional and exceeding all expectations.
As a result, W Resources is now considering a shallow open pit mine design in a first phase with the second phase to be a larger scale high grade underground operation.
Finally, Metminco (LON:MNC) has received a boost in its dispute over mining rights at the Mollacas project in Chile after the country’s Supreme Court said it would hear its appeal.
The copper explorer described the decision as a significant development as it reversed a previous ruling.