S&P/ASX 200 jumps 1.6%; on track for sixth consecutive monthly gain

S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) has surged 1.6% to 6,846 by 1.50 pm, helping lift the benchmark index towards another monthly advance and six straight months of gains. Resolute Mining (ASX:RSG) rose 4.8% after reaffirming FY21 production, cost and capex guidance in response to speculation about the impact of its mining lease termination in Ghana. The gold miner has been among the worst performers for the month and quarter as a result. Suncorp (ASX:SUN) has received about 7,600 claims until yesterday in relation to the recent storms and floods on the east coast. The insurer expects net claims costs of $230-$250 million. Top gainers Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Emperor Energy Ltd (ASX:EMP) (+19.35%), TNT Mines Ltd (ASX:TIN) (+10.00%), Valor Resources Ltd (ASX:VAL) (+12.50%), Walkabout Resources Ltd (ASX:WKT) (+11.76%), Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:ARE) (+9.09%) and Blackearth Minerals NL (ASX:BEM) (+46.15%). Proactive news headlines: FYI Resources updated DFS lifts NPV for planned Perth high purity alumina plant to US$1.014 billion FYI Resources Ltd (ASX:FYI) (FRA:SDL) has updated the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project resulting in an increase in forecast net present value (NPV) to more than US$1 billion. Horizon Minerals drilling at Crake Project intersects bonanza gold grades up to 67.9 g/t Horizon Minerals Ltd’s (ASX:HRZ) recent drilling has demonstrated strong continuity and grade along a 600-metre strike at Crake Gold Project west of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia with bonanza grade results of up to 1-metre at 67.9 g/t gold. Piedmont Lithium adds operational expertise to team with appointment of COO Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLL) (NASDAQ:PLL) (OTCMKTS:PDDTF) (FRA:PL4) has appointed lithium industry veteran David Klanecky as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO). Astro Resources’ bulk tests continue to deliver positive results at Governor Broome Heavy Minerals Project Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) metallurgical test-work on a 2.6-tonne bulk sample from West Deposit of its Governor Broome Project has produced heavy mineral concentrate in the wet concentrator using conventional mineral sands processing equipment. Cobalt Blue launches new program to examine cobalt recovery from waste streams Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX:COB) (OTCMKTS:CBBHF) (FRA:COH) has launched a Cobalt in Waste Streams Project aimed at utilising its existing technology and test facilities to examine the recovery of cobalt from waste streams. Jindalee Resources increases size of McDermitt Lithium Project in US by 67% with updated resource expected early April Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) has increased its footprint at the McDermitt Lithium Project straddling the Oregon-Nevada border in the US by 67% to a total of 54.6 square kilometres. Strategic Elements self-charging battery scaling produces 14V output by harvesting moisture from the air Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) has fabricated a prototype battery pack with 20 scaled-down connected battery ink cells, which successfully produced a 14-volt output solely by harvesting moisture from the air. Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals in new collaboration with bene pharmaChem to co-fund new projects to unlock potential of injectable PPS Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:PAR) has executed a new collaboration agreement with bene pharmaChem which allows for the further development of injectable Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (iPPS) and other formulations containing PPS to address unmet needs in new clinical indications. Predictive Discovery high-grade gold results from surface drilling extend NE Bankan width to 300 metres Predictive Discovery Ltd’s (ASX:PDI) drill results from seven reverse circulation (RC) holes at Bankan Gold Project in Guinea have returned broad intersections including high gold grades with the NE Bankan prospect width extended to 300 metres. Twenty Seven Co initial assays confirm shallow high-grade gold at Mt Dimer Twenty Seven Co Ltd (ASX:TSC) (FRA:U9V) is off to an encouraging start at Mt Dimer with multiple high-grade results from the inaugural reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign including up to 8.15 g/t gold and 26.9 g/t silver extending known mineralisation at relatively shallow depths. Euro Manganese boosts balance through closing first tranche of A$30 million private placement and from initial EIT InnoEnergy investment Euro Manganese Inc (ASX:EMN) (CVE:EMN) (FRA:E06) has boosted its balance after closing the first tranche of its A$30 million (about C$29 million) private placement along with an initial investment from EIT InnoEnergy of €62,500 (about C$92,850), the first of three instalments with an aggregate value of €250,000. Oklo Resources remains focused on drilling in Mali as resource estimate highlights future mining potential Oklo Resources Ltd (ASX:OKU) (FRA:JYA) remains focused on continued drilling at nearby prospects as a maiden mineral resource estimate within the wider Dandoko Project in west Mali highlights future mining potential.