Peter Hambro Mining is exploring a move into nickel and platinum group metals after its subsidiary won an auction for three deposits in Russia. Antares bought the undeveloped Kukurskoye, Luchinskoye and Utanakhskoye deposits for $608,100, according to reports from Reuters. An official with Russia's federal subsoil agency told Reuters that payment was due within a month and then it would be given the licences. The reserves are unknown.

Jubilee Platinum, which is planning to build a new mining project at its Tjate project on the western limb of the Bushveld Complex, will study the potential of generating its own power. About $30-$40 million has been set aside for a feasibility study, according to Chief Executive Officer, Colin Bird. He told Mining Weekly that productions costs would be raised by $10/0z to $55/oz. They will approach Eskom for supply Mr Bird doubts whether it could be guaranteed.

Anglo Platinum and Nkwe Platinum have settled a legal dispute over the latter's claim to prospecting rights over five farms in South Africa. As a result, Nkwe Platinum's shares will resume trading on the ASX. The dispute stems from a dispute over prospecting licences, according to miningmx.com but Nkwe's Managing Director was pleased it was over. Maredi Mphahlele said it was a "huge load off our backs".

Centrasia Mining has announced that drilling has started at its Tsaga platinum group metals (pgm) project on the Kola Peninsula. About two per cent of the Peninsula is covered by the Tsaga site with a potential zone of sulphide mineralization already discovered. Cary Pinkowski, Chairman of the firm, said that Centrasia was looking forward to advancing the project.

Xstrata Alloys has acquired the De Wildt project from Nkwe Platinum for $12 million. The New Order Prospecting rights were held by Nkwe Platinum De Wildt and contain portions of the farms: Zilkaatsnek 439JQ, Krelingspost 425 JQ and Schietfontein 437JQ situated in the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex. Xstrata Alloys also acquired the Elandsfontein mine and Hoekfontein property during the Eland Platinum transaction in late 2007. The new acquisition is a "small but decisive" step in the extension of the Elandsfontein mine, according to Xstrata Alloys Chief Executive officer, Peet Nienaber.

A new mining lab has been started by the Thunder Bay Airport, Activation Laboratories (ACTLABS) just two months after buying the Moffat Hangar, the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal reports. Michael Granvelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, said: "We need to move as quickly as we can to get people trained to move into the mining sector." The site was bought from Confederation College and ACTLABS has agreed to improve the mining techniques programme being run at the College.

Platmin is on schedule to start producing its first platinum at the Pilanesberg mine in the first quarter of next year after being awarded a new mining licence for the project. The licence is the first of four mines that the firm could be developing over the coming years with the other located on the Bushveld complex. A bankable feasibility study is due to be completed by the end of this year at the Mphatlele, Business Day reports. Both mines are expected to produce 250,000 oz of platinum group metals at full production.

Pacific North West Capital & SOQUEM have agreed a Phase III Budget to complete evaluations for platinum group metals in a defined area of mutual interest within the Grenville Province of Quebec. The Phase II survey showed a mafic intrusion about 18 kilometres west of the original Cheneville showing. Work in 2008 will determine the extent and grades of this new occurrence.

A total of 28 million ounces of platinum group metals (pgm) will be available at the Phosiri mine. About 21 million ounces from 100 million tons will be attributable to Lesego Platinum, according to their Chief Executive Officer Phiway Mbuyazi. "The grades and widths have exceeded our expectations," he told Mining Weekly. Lesego Platinum began exploration in 2006 and a drilling programme determined the width and grades of pgms. "This resource represents one of the most significant new deposits to be announced around the world in the last 12 months," said Mbuyazi.

A drill program is underway at Gossan Resource's Bird River Property. It will focus on outlining a nickel-copper-platinum group metals (pgms) in the northeast corner of the property on the Page Block. In 2001, a re-assaying programme of core from the Page Block by Manitoba Industry identified 1.6 gpt palladium while in 2006 North American Palladium drilled nine holes and found 027 gpt platinum, and 0.73 gpt palladium in the BR-05-02 hole.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd