Diversified mining company African Rainbow Metals (ARM) has admitted this month that it is considering "a number of platinum opportunities" in Zimbabwe.

The company's Executive Chairman Patrice Motsepe confirmed that it views Zimbabwe as a "very, very important country" and that it has been involved in meetings at "all levels".

http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=142055

Anglo American has announced that it has bought a 12 per cent stake in Australian mineral exploration company Magma Metals.

The diversified mining giant has purchased 13.47 million shares in the company at around $0.60 each, valuing the stake at $8.08 million.

Funds from the share placement will be used to complete the current diamond drilling programme and the Thunder Bay North project, plus further tests to establish its parameters.

http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=142795

North American Platinum has opted against following its rights at the Arctic Platinum Project (APP) in Finland, thus reverting to full management control of Gold Fields.

The APP was initially attractive due to the fact that it houses a series of undeveloped platinum group metal deposits, in addition to nickel and copper deposits.

http://www.miningmx.com/platinum/746856.htm

Platfields Limited has announced that it intends to list on the main board of the JSE Limited before the end of 2008.

The emerging precious metals and exploration mining company is looking to raise R450 million from its two current near-surface platinum group metals projects at Berg and Leeuwkop.

http://www.platfields.co.za/content/news_update_media_statement_11_september_2008.pdf

Platmin Limited has confirmed that it has increased its indicated mineral resources by 37.4 per cent and its inferred mineral resources by 47.1 per cent for its Mphahlele project.

The rise - which comes after the discovery of the extension to the UG2 Chromitite Layer and Merensky Reef mineralisation at depth - will also see minor platinum group metals iridium and ruthenium included.

http://www.platmin.com/im/press_display.asp?Id=2008/15sep2008

Meanwhile, Nkwe Platinum has announced that it now has a 38.4Moz JORC resource, an increase of 88 per cent on the previous 20.4Moz resource used on the Tubatse Project.

The company also confirmed that a 24,000m diamond drill programme over a section of the Garatau Project area has discovered a JORC mineral resource of 18Moz at an average grade of 3.62g/t from 155 million tonnes.

Nkwe recently stated that it will develop the Tubatse-Garatau Project with Xstrata.

http://fusionmail.blackglass.com.au/download/files/12414/594422/ASX+announcement160908.pdf

Sable Platinum, the majority stakeholder in its joint exploration venture with Platinum Group Metals, has announced that it is not planning to have discussions with Xstrata.

The company has confirmed that it intends to take its Bushveld Western Limb property - which is located next to Xstrata's Eland project - to the feasibility stage in order to mine it.

http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page35?oid=62659&sn=Detail

Ridge Mining has allayed fears about its latest projects by reasserting its plans to commence platinum group metal production at its Blue Ridge mine development later this year.

The announcement comes despite the company admitting that it has suffered through "a turbulent period for the mining industry and markets in general".

http://www.miningweekly.com/article.php?a_id=143640

Finally, Ridge Mining has also confirmed that it is open to the possibility of a smelter sharing opportunity and has cited Sheba's Ridge as a possible source of consolidation.

Finance Director Donald McAlister said: "There would certainly be room for other players to use the smelter and this could lead to various options such as ownership of these companies or putting together some of the juniors."

http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page35?oid=63163&sn=Detail