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Gateway Mining (ASX: GML) has reported strong intercepts grading up to 5.6 grams per tonne gold from a new and large-scale mineralised zone at the Achilles deposit, within the Montague project in Western Australia (reports Small Caps).

Red metal looking like lithium of two years ago as recession fears offset low inventories and surging demand forecasts; It points to leveraged upside for juniors like Orion and Peel.

Lithium and rare earths were the news and money makers on the Australian stock market this week with a star turn from niobium, a low-profile, steel-hardening metal, dominated by supply from Brazil.

Pilbara Minerals boss Dale Henderson says his phone is switched to silent as a constant stream of car and battery makers try to secure supplies of lithium, and he doesn’t expect the calls to stop any time soon (reports The Australian Financial Review).

Red 5’s commissioning of its flagship King of the Hills operation has not gone entirely to plan with ramp-up issues and unplanned downtime at its mill, but the miner still expects to reach commercial production by the end of December (reports MiningNews).

Drilling within Hammer Metals’ portfolio in Queensland’s prospective Mt Isa region has delivered more evidence of copper mineralisation at two prospects this week (reports MiningNews).

There’s growing talk that power utilities are about to sign a rash of non-Russian supply contracts, with the likes of Boss poised to benefit; Plus, battery-types are queuing at Chalice’s door and Bellavista hits visible copper grading 5.7% in WA.

The Australian stock market slipped a little this week but only after another roller-coaster ride. Up one day, down the next, with the focus firmly on a deteriorating international picture as storm clouds gather.

Chalice Mining says it is considering a strategic minority joint venture partner or partners to develop a mine at Gonneville, part of the Julimar project, 70km out of Perth (reports MiningNews).

Is De Grey Mining (ASX:DEG) Chairman Simon Lill about to strike it rich again (reports Stockhead).