Public Company News

Lithium Australia’s share price jumped 28% following the release of test results showing that their unique, low cost Lithium processing technology might actually work. The company was able to produce almost pure battery grade Lithium Carbonate in pilot plant tests in NSW and will now turn its attention to doing the same using ore from Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora project. 

The mind bending process of choosing a surfboard to buy for shark conscious surfers is about to get a little easier after iconic surf brand Rusty signed a licensing agreement to include Shark Mitigation System’s proprietary shark deterrent patterns on their Australian and New Zealand surf boards. In a sea of compteing brands Rusty may have gained an edge. 

Lithium Australia announced this week they were adding yet another string to their already diversified bow as the company looks to set up a Lithium recycling business from discarded Lithium-ion batteries. Lithium recycling from batteries is almost non-existent at the moment, presenting a real opportunity for Lithium Australia to carve out a niche. 

Lithium Australia is turning its processing expertise to Lithium clays in Mexico, where it is earning up to 49% of a patch highly prospective ground adjacent to a project that secured a major offtake agreement with Tesla. Metallurgical testing has begun at the company’s Electra project and will run in parallel with a drill program due to get underway next month.

Listed financial technology and ATM machine company Stargroup expects 2017 to be another standout year after amassing a $15m war chest to acquire Indue Ltd’s ATM machine business assets and fund further acquisitions. The company says it is now in a position to explore additional mergers and acquisitions without the need to issue further capital. 

ASX listed medical device company Analytica has released positive findings from new post usage research on the effectiveness of its device for women suffering from urinary incontinence due to pelvic floor muscle disorders.  The research indicates that 70% of sufferers reported an improvement in their condition.

ASX listed Sky and Space Global has added to its existing customer base after entering into a new commercial contract to sell a portion of its nano-satellite bandwidth to African app developer BeepTool. The company says the deal further signals its potential to generate early stage revenue from their first 3 trial nano-satellites, scheduled for launch in 2017.

Northern Minerals have taken another step towards building Australia’s first heavy rare earths mine after they banked another $5.5m in equity funding from China’s Huatai Mining. The latest payment reaffirms the Chinese company’s commitment to Northern Minerals’ proposed Browns Range heavy rare earths pilot plant near Halls Creek in W.A. 

Auroch Minerals have secured even more ground at their exciting Karibib Lithium project in Namibia under an option and joint venture agreement. The deal follows Auroch’s entry to Namibia in November which triggered a surge in the company’s share price and attracted attention from a serious Lithium investment fund. 

Terrain Minerals may have just transformed their Great Western gold project near Leonora into something much more serious after the company reported a number of near surface, excellent gold hits during their latest drilling campaign. Best results include 3m @ 26.6 g/t gold from just 8m down hole, 2m @ 24.4 g/t, 5m @ 6.98 g/t and 2m @ 12.1 g/t gold. 

Medical marijuana company MGC Pharma has been given the tick of approval to sell its brand new cannabis-based dermatological skincare range in the European Union. MGC sees the green light from the European Cosmetics Products Notifications Portal as a major step forward for its new skin care range that will treat acne, psoriasis and seborrhoea.

Blackham Resources have found even more gold in the historic Wiluna gold field and are now firming up plans for two large scale open pits to feed their newly recommissioned mill. The Perth-based gold producer revealed the open pit expansion plans this week after announcing yet more exceptional drill hits from last year’s major drill program.