According to CommSec, the resources sector rose by 35.9% over the 2018 financial year, putting it fourth behind autos and components, pharmaceuticals and biotech, and energy.
"Resource stocks have been the key drivers of the Australian market and while current valuations look reasonably fair to full, we expect there to be further upgrades to earnings forecasts," Patersons Securities said.
Patersons identified Mineral Resources and Fortescue Metals Group as the most attractive high-quality resource stocks.
Both have been involved in a battle for Atlas Iron, with a A4.2c per share cash takeover offer from Hancock Prospecting set to open today.
The offer has earned the backing of the Atlas board, but all eyes remain on FMG and its next move.
Other battles to be fought this month include board spills at Kogi Iron (with a meeting to be held in Perth this morning), and gold producer Empire Resources.
It's set to be a busy month for Pilbara Minerals, which after reporting first lithium concentrate last month, will be targeting first sales.
Pilbara has also flagged that an investment decision on a $207 million stage 2 expansion at Pilgangoora will be made this month.
Pilbara's neighbour Altura Mining will also be aiming for first lithium production and sales.
In the gold space, Mincor Resources is set to produce its first gold this month from Widgiemooltha.
A bunch of resource estimates are due, including from new gold producer Dacian Gold, which will comprise an updated resource for the Westralia underground, as well as a maiden resource for the Cameron Well deposit, which could be a third ore source for the Mt Morgans operation.
Dacian's next-door neighbour, Syndicated Metals, is set to report a maiden resource for its Monument project.
AVZ Resources' maiden lithium resource for the Manono project will be keenly anticipated, given some of the record pegmatite intersections the company has recently released.
Nusantara Resources recently confirmed that the definitive feasibility study for the 2 million ounce Awak Mas gold project remains on track to be released this month.
Canada-focused Sayona Minerals is due to release the DFS for the Authier lithium project.
Partners Cobalt Blue and Broken Hill Prospecting entered trading halts this morning pending the release of a maiden ore reserve and prefeasibility study for the Thackaringa cobalt project.
Cape Lambert Resources has flagged that a scoping study for its Kipushi cobalt-copper tailings project will be released in the next fortnight.
On the events front, tomorrow the nominations will be announced for the second annual MNN Awards.
Many strong nominations were received, making it difficult for the editorial team to narrow them down.
Once the nominees are announced, they will be profiled over the coming weeks before the winners are announced towards the end of July.
The biggest-ever Noosa Mining Conference, the so-called "Diggers and Dealers of the east" will be held from July 18-20 with 60 speakers and an estimated 1000 delegates.
Keynote speakers include Exploration Insights analyst Joe Mazumdar, Aetas CEO Richard Offer, Morgans analyst Adrian Prendergast, Kitco's Daniela Cambone, and KPMG associate director, M&A mining Graham Smith.
"Noosa Mining continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted by the quality line-up we have assembled for the 2018 event," organiser Phil Dickinson said.
"A thriving resource and energy sector is vital to Queensland's and Australia's future and support from investors and other stakeholders is essential to achieve its potential growth."
