Public Company News

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.

Stargroup look set to make that elusive transition from money gobbling, fast growing start-up, to a fully franked dividend paying stock that will at least cover an investor's interest bill. The company looks like paying a maiden dividend this financial year that will represent a 6.67% return to an investor at the current share price after posting its 11th record quarter.

ASX-listed MGC Pharmaceuticals says it is on schedule to commence production of research grade cannabis by mid-2017 after harvesting its first crop at its Slovenian facilities. In a strong finish to 2016, the company has also confirmed the execution of its deal to acquire Czech-based medical cannabis company Panax Pharma on more favourable terms.

Lithium Australia's Sileach process has successfully passed its first trial using Lithium ore from Pilbara Minerals' giant Pilgangoora project near Port Hedland. The positive results are the first step towards a potential Sileach plant being built at Pilgangoora that could add millions of dollars in value to the project by way of reduced processing costs.