Mkango Resources Ltd (LON:MKA, CVE:MKA) was a features this week after the firm revealed that the initial phases of the feasibility study for its Songwe Hill rare earths deposit has started.
Drilling is targeted to commence within the next month, once all drill roads and pads are completed, Mkango said.
Meanwhile, NQ Minerals PLC (AQSE:NQMI) (OTCMKTS:NQMLF) said it is well underway with the refurbishment of the flotation plant for the restart of its flagship Hellyer polymetallic operation in Tasmania.
The Australia-based exploration and mining company said it is moving towards production and revenue at Hellyer and is on target to commission the mill for production in the third quarter of 2018.
ECR Minerals PLC (LON:ECR) this week told investors that it has now completed drilling at the Bung Bong gold project in Central Victoria, Australia.
The programme of work is part of a larger diamond drilling campaign which will span a number of the company’s gold projects in the region.
Next, drilling will shortly begin at the Monte Christo prospect - followed by the Blue Moon, Black Cat and Byron prospects.
Elsewhere, Berkeley Energia Limited (LON:BKY), owner of the Salamanca Uranium Project, announced its intention to list the business in Spain as well as moving from AIM to the main board in London.
The change, according to managing director Paul Atherley, will allow the company to build support amongst European institutional investors whilst it is advancing activities on-site towards production.
Rambler Metals and Mining PLC (CVE:RAB)(LON:RMM) told investors that it generated revenues of US$28.3mln in the year to December 2017, up from the US$28mln booked in the corresponding period a year ago.
Fourth quarter sales rose to US$8.4mln, up from US$7.3mln in the third quarter and US$5.4mln in the corresponding quarter in 2016.
Total production hit 339,631 dry metric tonnes, up from 267,347 tonnes processed in 2016, a 27% increase representing the highest annual throughput on record.
Net direct cash costs net of by-product credits for the year stood at US$2.86 per pound of saleable copper.
Chaarat Gold Holdings Ltd (LON:CGH) confirmed that the recent proposal it made in relation to the potential acquisition of the Kumtor mine from Centerra Gold Inc (TSE:CG) values Kumtor at US$800mln.
The Kumtor mine currently produces around half a million ounces of gold a year and is one of Kyrgyzstan’s biggest.
Junior explorer Erris Resources plc (LON:ERIS) announced that it has been awarded a licence for a new gold target in Sweden.
Enåsen no.5 comprises 59.4 sq km in central Sweden that surrounds the Enasen gold mine, which produced between 1984 and 1991.
Surface exploration work has already started on the prospect said Merlin Marr-Johnson, Erris’s chief executive.
And Vast Resources PLC (LON:VAST) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Botswana Diamonds PLC (LON:BOD) to investigate diamond opportunities together in Zimbabwe.
Under the terms of the MoU, the two companies have agreed to exchange information derived from past exploration on areas prospective for diamonds in Zimbabwe and to form a special purpose jointly owned company to develop and exploit diamond resources in Zimbabwe.