UK small caps and junior-listed AIM shares end down 0.7percent and 0.1 percent respectively, outperforming the mid-cap andblue-chip indexes, which close 0.3-1.2 percent lower.
Shares in Capital Drilling fall 3.4 percent as the emerging marketdrilling company says it has encountered a particularly challenging demandenvironment in the first half of 2013.
"Despite a few new contract wins in the period, outlook looks weak withreduction in need for drilling services due to industry downturn," NumisSecurities says in a note.
Shares in Amur Minerals Corporation rise 1.7 percent as thenickel-copper sulphide miner says it will double the size of its drilling plansat the Kubuk target, following positive early results.
"The project now appears to contain sufficient mineralisation at good gradewithin 100 - 150 metres meaning that drilling need only be done to this depthfrom a mining perspective," analysts at SP Angel say.
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