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Afferro Mining, African Eagle Resources, Firestone Diamonds, Goldplat, Hambledon Mining, London Mining, Noricum Gold Limited, Orosur Mining news briefs

January 17, 2012, Tuesday, 09:56 GMT | 04:56 EST | 14:26 IST | 16:56 SGT
Contributed by Fox-Davies Capital

By Fox-Davies Capital

Afferro Mining Inc. announced that it has received final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for completion of the Sale and Purchase Agreement dated 23 December 2011, under which the Company will sell its remaining 38.5% interest in the Putu iron ore project, located in Liberia, to Lybica Holdings B.V., an affiliate of ZAO Severstal Resources.

African Eagle Resources plc announced that it has selected atmospheric tank leaching as the metallurgical process method to be employed at its Dutwa nickel oxide project in Tanzania. The atmospheric tank leach flowsheet will be the subject of a pilot test work programme to be performed later this year in Perth, Australia which will support the Dutwa bankable feasibility study due for completion around the end of 2012.

Firestone Diamonds plc announced that Philip Kenny has resigned as Chairman of the Company in order to pursue other business interests with effect from 16 January 2012. Mr Kenny was a co-founder of the Company and held the position of Chief Executive Officer from the date of the Company's listing on AIM in 1998 until March 2011, when he became Chairman. The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucio Genovese to its Board as non-executive Chairman with immediate effect.

Goldplat plc announced that it has poured the first gold from its Kilimapesa Gold Mine in Kenya following the successful commissioning of the Elution Plant. The initial smelt produced a 12.4kg (399 ounces) gold bullion bar which has now been sold to Rand Refinery Limited in South Africa.

Hambledon Mining plc reported on its operations for the three months from 1 October to 31 December 2011. Initial contribution from underground ore increased overall Au grade by 22% compared to quarterly results in Q3 2011. Excess waste ore removal is to be completed by beginning of Q2 2012. The fines for tailings Dam 3 has been appealed against and the hearing now set for end January.

London Mining Plc announced an operations update. Ramp-up of production continues and approximately 57,000t concentrate were produced as of 16 January 2012. The product has a specification of 66.2% Fe, 1.88% silica and 1.02% alumina. Production of 1.5Mt is now targeted in 2012 with 3.5Mt expected in 2013 and 4.6Mt expected in 2014 from Phase 1. The Bankable Feasibility Study is expected at the end of Q2 2012 which considers low cost expansion of Phase 1 to 9Mtpa

Noricum Gold Limited announced results from its 2011 1,800m drilling programme at the Rotgόlden Project in Austria Best results include 3.1m @ 11.69g/t Au and 44.2g/t Ag from 173.7m, 2.3m @ 2.69g/t Au, 2.28g/t Ag from 180.3m, and 1.5m @ 2.78g/t Au, 2.80g/t Ag from 265.5m. Planning for 2012 resource drilling programme is currently underway.

Orosur Mining Inc. announced that Mario Caron has stepped down as Chairman. He will continue as a Non Executive Director. Mr. Ralph Browning, who has been a Non-Executive Director of Orosur Mining since December 2010, will become Executive Chairman of the Board with immediate effect.