Not a dumper truck of news this week but there were some interesting releases from the junior mining sector.
IronRidge Resources Limited (LON: IRR) revealed it is increasing its gold footprint in the Ivory Coast with an earn-in deal that provides it access to three “highly prospective” licences.
They cover 1,200-square kilometres, adding to the 2,310-square kilometre land package the firm is currently sitting on.
There is artisanal, or small-scale rudimentary mining in the area, while the geology is very similar to some large and prolific gold mines in the Ivory Coast.
Ironridge thinks its portfolio, which sits on the prolific Wa-Lawra shear in the north-east of the country, has “company making potential”.
In other deal news, gold explorer Kolar Gold Ltd (LON: KGLD) shares shot up as it further advanced into Finland and its bid to tap into the country's precious metal potential.
As reported last October, the group struck a joint venture deal with Mineral Exploration Network (MENF) to develop gold exploration and mining assets via a new operating company, of which Kolar could go onto own 50%.
The deal covers high grade targets within licences covering around 24 sq km, which could be potentially cashflow generative within 12 months from bulk sampling.
Following an upfront cash payment of €150,000, Kolar has now issued 8.5mln new shares to MENF in return for 150 shares in Kalevala Gold Oy (Kalevala) - the newly incorporated Finnish company.
Kolar Gold now owns 15.4% of Kalevala.
Elsewhere, resource investor Metal Tiger plc (LON:MTR) hired a mining and City specialist as its technical director to help with key decisions on its projects.
Alastair Middleton, 51, has over 27 years' international experience, in both underground and open pit operations and brings with him considerable technical and financial knowledge.
Michael McNeilly, chief executive of Metal Tiger, said: "From a technical point of view Alastair’s experience will be invaluable in reviewing and judging the work undertaken by our joint venture partners (both in-house work as well as third party work) ...
Speaking to Proactive, McNeilly later added that Middleton would provide him with an "extra layer" of oversight of the group's projects.
On Wednesday, Kibo Mining PLC (LON:KIBO) refused to get in a sweat over the latest press reports regarding restructuring at the Tanzanian Electric Supply Company (TANESCO).
Kibo, which is developing the Mbeya coal-to-power project (MCPP) in Tanzania, noted that TANESCO has been undergoing policy changes and restructuring under the new Tanzanian government for a while now.
Kibo views the latest announcements regarding management changes and tariff reviews as part of this ongoing reform and restructuring process.
Elsewhere, junior miner Premier African Minerals Ltd (LON:PREM) has told investors that recent drill testing at its Zulu project in Zimbabwe has identified more lithium and tantalum than previously anticipated.
Premier has now completed 15 diamond drill holes for a total distance of 1,958 metres.
The current drill programme is for 2,500 metres, although the company said this will now be expanded in light of recent results.
So far, lithium-bearing pegmatites have been identified at vertical depths of over 200 metres, as well as along the strike length of some 3.5km on the Zulu concessions.
Meanwhile, Wolf Minerals Limited (LON:WLFE, ASX:WLF) has issued just over half a million shares in lieu of fees.
In all, 506,638 shares were issued in line with a company plan that allows it conserve cash by issuing shares to directors.
The assumed value of the shares issued was 8.29 cents.
Following the latest share issues, John Hopkins owns 0.08% of the company; Ronnie Beevor 0.06%; Don Newport and Nicholas Clarke each own 0.03%.
Finally, in broker news Grerman bank Berenberg has upgraded its numbers and lifted the price target for aggregates firm Breedon Group PLC (LON:BREE) following the increase in guidance given by the aggregates company.
The new price target is 85p, up from 80p. Breedon’s shares currently trade at 71.5p.
The German bank notes the company delivered impressive growth in 2016, despite tricky conditions in its end markets.
Growth and margins look like they improved over the second half of 2016, judging by the upbeat trading statement at the end of November, according to Berenberg.