The big news in the small cap mining sector this week came from Caledonia Mining (LON:CMCL TSX:CMCL), which saw another sizeable chunk of the ore-body at the Blanket mine in Zimbabwe shifted into the higher confidence indicated resource category.
In total, a further 476,750 tonnes was upgraded of which 222,000 tonnes came from drilling in the AR South Section with the rest from the Blanket Quartz Reef, No.1 and No. 2 ore bodies.
Elsewhere in Africa, African Potash (LON:AFPO) is teaming up with South African investment firm Beryl Holdings in a deal that will expand and enhance its fertiliser operations.
Under the terms of the agreement, Beryl’s main fertiliser activities will be wrapped into a jointly-owned Mauritian company.
In the UK, Sirius Minerals (LON:SXX) has confirmed that the judicial review period for all key planning approvals granted for the York Potash mine has now ended.
The company said it is not aware of any challenges to the planning approval granted by the National ParkAuthority.
In gold news, Ariana Resources’ (LON:AAU) hopes of extending the life of its Kiziltepe mine in Turkey have been boosted after deep intercepts were found during its latest drilling programme.
The explorer carried out 3,500 metres (m) of deep drilling at Arzu South, the site of one of the pits for the 50% owned mine at Kiziltepe.
Meanwhile, initial field work has started on Ferrex's (LON:FRX) deposits in the heart of the Western Australia gold fields.
A detailed land survey is currently being undertaken to assess the existing drill holes and previous mining operations, which have historical resources of 5,741,155 tonnes at two grams per tonne (g/t) of gold for 363,599 ounces.
Elsewhere, gold-copper explorer Rambler Metals and Mining’s (LON:RMM CVE:RAB) metal production rebounded as it processed first ore from a new zone at its Ming mine in Newfoundland.
The miner produced 4,788 tonnes of concentrate in the three months to October, 33% higher than a year ago though 6% lower than the preceding quarter.
From precious meatals to precious gems – and Petra Diamonds (LON:PDL) sparkled as the company and its partner bought De Beers’ oldest working diamond mine for US$7.2mln.
Petra and Ekapa Mining will pay around US$3.6mln each for the Kimberley mines in South Africa. Shares in Petra rose 11.9% to 71.8p.
In blue gem news, sapphire miner Richland Resources (LON:RLD) has already met its production target for the current quarter as its Capricorn mine in Australia ramps up.
The miner had expected to produce 250,000 carats at a size above 4mm in the final three months of 2015, but has surpassed that already.
Finally, Berkeley Energia (LON:BKY) is aiming to become one of the world’s lowest cost uranium producers.
The company has kicked-off optimisation studies on the Salamanca uranium project in Spain to help make production cheaper.