We start today’s look back at the small cap space with anthracite miner Atlantic Coal (LON:ATC), which reported a 65% increase in sales for the nine months to end September as it approaches its best time of year for sales and prices.
Run of mine production in Pennsylvania, USA, was also up in the nine months - over 50% to 365,985 tons, compared to 243,527 tons in 2014.
Shares rose a lot, but the biggest riser of the day was Ortac Resources (LON:OTC), which said Zamsort's copper mining plans had been boosted - after the local Zambian firm raised a further US$2 million from Kopara Investments.
It means Kopara's interest in Zamsort is lifted to 20% and extends the right for Kopara to appoint a director to its board.
Staying in Zambia, African Potash (LON:AFPO) signed a formal agreement to sell 50,000 tonnes of fertiliser to an unnamed Zambian firm, ratifying a framework deal announced earlier this week.
Elsewhere in Africa, North River Resources (LON:NRRP) raised an additional US$375,000 from the open offer part of a finance package to develop the Namib mine.
Speaking of funding, nickel-copper explorer Amur Minerals (LON:AMC) reckons it's is one of the "better funded" international juniors after its equity swap agreement with Lanstead Capital has come to an end.
Caza Oil & Gas (LON:CAZA, TSE:CAZ) revealed it is at an advanced stage of talks over a potential equity financing.
Elsewhere in the oil and gas sector, Canadian Overseas Petroleum (LON:COPL, CVE:XOP) has revealed that its joint venture with Shoreline Energyis set to acquire near-term production assets in Nigeria.
The junior oil company, which also has an exploration venture with Exxon offshore Liberia, has been working with Shoreline to diversify its portfolio and together they are focussing on opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa.
One of AFC Energy’s (LON:AFC) major shareholders, Linc Energy, has sold its stake to a founder’s son.
Tethys Petroleum (LON:TPL, TSE:TPL) announced that Clive Oliver, formerly vice-president of finance, is taking over the role of chief financial officer.
Speaking of hiring, marketing analytics group Ebiquity (LON:EBQ) has appointed a new chief executive.
Ebiquity said Michael Karg would take over from Michael Greenlees, who has held the role for eight years, on January 1 next year.
Meanwhile, big data software specialist Rosslyn Data Technologies (LON:RDT) confirmed Roger Bullen has been appointed as chief financial and operating officer as of today (October 1).
To mining, where work to begin looking at the potential of the Baja, Tongo and Moa licences in Sierra Leone is set to start again, diamond and gold junior Golden Saint Resources (LON:GSR) said today.
Stratmin Global Resources (LON:STGR) confirmed initial Investment in the firm by Bass, announced on 2 September 2015, is progressing as expected with initial payments received to date totalling £75,000.
Graphene specialist Haydale (LON:HAYD) has added another high profile resin manufacturer to its growing list of partners.
China Nonferrous (LON:CNG) announced the successful commissioning of its processing plant at Pakrut.
David Tang, managing director, said it was a “significant milestone”, adding that the smelting plant is expected to be commissioned next month.
In other news, Redx Pharma (LON:REDX) said it made “good progress” in the second half of the financial year.
Meanwhile, Regency Mines (LON:RGM) has wielded the axe on its overheads as it continues its cutback on costs.
In other news, ITM Power (LON:ITM) has joined forces with Symbio FCell and Arcola Energy to provide a complete one-stop package for UK commercial van fleets powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
ValiRx (LON:VAL) has received a patent in Japan for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients for B-cell lymphomas using biomarkers.
Finally, Smart plastics group Symphony Environmental Technologies (LON:SYM) is stepping up its efforts to have bio-degradable plastic bags made the standard in the UK.