Hartley

Theminingweb.com reports that Zimbabwe's government sought to calm investor nerves at the World Summit telling Miningweb in an exclusive interview that current ownership patterns of its mining assets would not be disturbed. The country, which receives 40 percent of its foreign earnings from mining, has attracted, according to theminingweb.com wide-ranging criticism for the land-grab approach to its agricultural policies. Theminingweb.com reports that Zimbabwe minister of mines and energy, Edward Chindori-Chininga, has dismissed suggestions current ownership of the country's mines by offshore companies, such as Impala Platinum, were vulnerable.

AurionGold Limited has responded to Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Limited statement regarding a possible sale to Impala Platinum Holdings Limited of the interest in Zimplats held by AurionGold. AurionGold said that discussions with Implats regarding a sale of the interest in Zimplats are at an advanced stage.

Theminingweb.com reports that Sydney-based Zimbabwe platinum producer, Zimplats, has returned to favour on the Australian bourse after having carried the Hartley monkey on its back for the past three years. Theminingweb.com notes that the stock surged 10.34% on the ASX to finish at a record AUD1.60/share (for a market cap of about AUD140 million). Buying was reportedly stimulated by a rising platinum price and the suggestion of potential spin-off corporate activity, arising from Placer Dome's AurionGold takeover play, rather than latest developments at the company's Hartley or Ngezi projects, both along the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe.