All eyes will be on BHP and OZ Minerals to see if a potential A$9.6 billion takeover will be formalised. BHP was granted four weeks of due diligence access, which would expire around December 19.
Another major, Newcrest Mining, should also have news flow, with the gold miner flagging the release of the Lihir Phase 14A feasibility study.
The October 2021 prefeasibility study confirmed Lihir could produce more than 1 million ounces of gold per annum for at least 10 years from FY24.
Lithium producer Pilbara Minerals is looking to make a final investment decision on the P1000 project, which will see its Pilgangoora mine in the Pilbara produce more than 1 million tonnes of spodumene per annum.
"We'll look to get that tucked away as a Christmas present," Pilbara managing director Dale Henderson said earlier this week.
Chalice Mining has said the scoping study for its Gonneville nickel-copper-platinum group metal project will be completed by "late 2022".
Tietto Minerals is set to achieve first gold this month from its Abujar project in Cote d'Ivoire.
The company reported positive commissioning progress last week. Abujar is forecast to produce 260,000 ounces of gold in its first year.
Capricorn Metals is due to report a maiden reserve for its Mt Gibson gold project, along with a feasibility study and development decision.
Red 5 is due to reach commercial production at its King of the Hills gold mine in the Leonora gold district, while observers will be keenly watching for consolidation news from the company and the other players in the region, St Barbara, Genesis Minerals and Kin Mining.
A feasibility study into the production of battery grade high-purity manganese sulphate from Element 25's Butcherbird project is scheduled for release.
An initial resource for Sunstone Metals' Bramaderos copper project in Ecuador is due.
Global Lithium Resources is on track for a resource upgrade at its Manna project near Kalgoorlie.
CZR Resources has flagged the release of an updated resource for its Robe Mesa iron ore project in the Pilbara mid-month.
Papua New Guinea developer Geopacific Resources is expected to release a resource update for the Woodlark project by the end of the year.
Meeka Metals will update the gold resource for its Turnberry project.
The initial public offerings have slowed to a trickle with just one new listing in November and a dual listing.
There are several companies hoping to list this month including Taiton Resources, Patriot Lithium, Tiger Tasman Minerals, Orpheus Minerals, Richmond Vanadium Technology, Desoto Resources, Mackeral Metals, Patagonia Lithium, ACDC Metals and Greentech Metals.
Ken Brinsden-chaired Patriot Battery Metals (not to be confused with Patriot Lithium) is expected to dual-list next week.
