Rathdowney Resources (CVE:RTH) unveiled Tuesday new results from core drilling on the Chechlo concession at its Project Olza in southern Poland, seeing zinc, lead and silver mineralization of "significant grades and thicknesses". 

Rathdowney Resources (CVE:RTH) says that it has returned what it calls "excellent results" from a preliminary metallurgical test program on its Olza project in Poland, with the results having exceeded expectations. 

Dundee Securities issued earlier this week a report on the zinc market, believing that zinc mine shutdowns and structural issues in the mining industry support a shift upward in the metal's price levels. It started coverage on several early stage zinc plays, and highlighted its top picks in terms of producers.

Vancouver-based Rathdowney Resources (CVE:RTH) says it has optioned out 31 of its prospecting licenses in the Irish Midlands zinc-lead district to Teck Resources' (TSE:TCK.B) Irish subsidiary. 

Rathdowney Resources (CVE:RTH) says it has been granted a third exploration concession in Poland, expanding its Olza zinc-lead property that now covers some 150 square kilometres in the prolific Upper Silesian Mineral District. 

Canadian shares gained a second day as energy producers climbed after positive economic reports from the U.S., the country's largest trading partner, indicated economic growth is gaining momentum, outweighing declines in mining stocks. The resource-heavy benchmark Standard & Poor’s/TSX Composite Index (TSE:OSPTX) added 0.4 percent to 12,557.31 at 12:33 p.m. in Toronto on Friday. Nine of ten groups gained.

If you think the pain in the resource sector is over, Rick Rule will gladly give you a reality check. But, the chairman of Sprott U.S. Holdings says being brash in a bear market where there is no competition will pay off.

Curis Resources (TSE:CUV) has arranged to raise $6 million through a non-brokered private placement financing, with funds to be used to advance the development of the company's Florence copper project in Arizona, which earlier this year yielded strong economics in a prefeasibilty report. 

Iron ore explorer Afferro Mining (LON:AFF) (CVE:AFF) said talks are continuing with would-be buyer International Mining and Infrastructure Corporation (LON:IMIC) following confirmation the latter has the funds needed to launch a bid.

Largo Resources (CVE:LGO) has garnered some impressive feedback from analysts this week, with some saying the company has the potential to become a leading supplier of vanadium in the stable jurisdiction of Brazil.