On Friday Bushveld Minerals Limited (LON:BMN) said it was pleased with the 'strong performance' at its Vametco vanadium operation during the first quarter of 2018, as the first phase of the expansion project was completed.
In an operational update, the AIM-listed firm said Vametco produced 731 metric tonnes of vanadium (mtV) in the form of Nitorvan, an 35.5% increase from the fourth quarter 2017, supported by the completion of phase one of the expansion project.
Meanwhile Sunrise Resources Plc (LON:SRES) saw its shares surge on Friday after it said it had signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for the first sales of perlite from its CS Pozzolan-Perlite project in Nevada, USA.
The AIM-listed miner said that under the terms of the MOU the parties would negotiate a purchase and sales agreement to sell/buy a minimum quantity of raw perlite over a specified period.
Bezant Resources plc (LON:BZT) told investors this week that it has agreed to sell the Choco project in Colombia.
The group's wholly owned subsidiary Ulloa Recursos Naturales Naturales, which holds alluvial platinum and gold licences in the Choco region, will be sold to Auvert Mining Group for a consideration of US$500,000.
Some US$450,000 has already been paid, and the remaining US$50,000 is currently being held in escrow.
Elsewhere, Savannah Resources Plc (LON:SAV) revealed that bulk sampling is underway at the NOA deposit at its Mina do Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal.
The AIM-listed miner said it had identified an opportunity to generate additional revenues from the sale of feldspar/quartz, which is used in ceramics, alongside the sale of battery-grade spodumene concentrates.
Chaarat Gold Holdings Ltd (LON:CGH) unveiled a proposal to acquire the Kumtor mine, one of the largest gold mines in Central Asia, from Centerra Gold.
It would be part of a three-way deal between Chaarat, Centerra and Kyrgyz state consortium, Kyrgyzaltyn OJSC.
Subsequently, Chaarat will own Kumtor's common equity and it will be responsible for the management and operation of the mine, while, Kyrgyzaltyn will own Kumtor's preferred equity and will be entitled to 50% of the mine's economic benefit.
Landore Resources Ltd (LON:LND) said it has begun drilling at its BAM East gold deposit at the Junior Lake property in Ontario, Canada.
The AIM-listed precious metals explorer said a total of 12,000 metres of NQ and HQ diamond core drilling is planned to complete during the spring and summer of 2018, focusing on further delineation and an extension of the 400,000 ounce gold resource as reported.
Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW) reported that it produced 279 tonnes of rare earths concentrate from its Gakara project in Burundi during the three months to 31 March.
The grade per tonne of concentrate produced rang in at a huge 62% total rare earth oxides, and the realised price per tonne of concentrate sold was US$2,357.
Gakara is one of the highest grade rare earth element mining projects globally, with an estimated in situ grade of between 47% and 67% TREO.
And Bluejay Mining PLC (LON:JAY) posted a significant upgrade to the ilmenite resource at its Dundas shoreline project in Greenland.
The mineral sands prospect now holds 96mln tonnes at 6.9% ilmenite, a 400% increase on the first estimate a year ago.
Consultant SRK calculated the estimate using a combination of auger and sonic drilling.