Mining stocks were tracking their FTSE 100 counterparts higher with Talvivaara, New World Resources, and African Barrick Gold all making strong gains, boosted by better-than-expected GDP data from Australia and rising metals prices. Energy firm Premier Oil rose after seeing an encouraging drilling result on the Carnaby exploration well 28/09-5A in the Central North Sea Block 28/9. India-focused integrated energy company Essar Energy was also higher after completing its optimisation project at its Vadinar refinery four months ahead of schedule. FTSE 250 - RisersNew World Resources A Shares (NWR) 302.80p +12.57%Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 144.00p +11.63%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 390.00p +11.62%Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP) 71.00p +9.57%Lonmin (LMI) 763.50p +9.23%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 70.95p +8.90%Petropavlovsk (POG) 417.80p +7.65%Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 43.03p +6.83%Afren (AFR) 111.40p +6.81%Cape (CIU) 266.20p +6.69%FTSE 250 - FallersDixons Retail (DXNS) 12.62p -6.31%Supergroup (SGP) 288.00p -4.32%Booker Group (BOK) 83.15p -3.31%Home Retail Group (HOME) 71.10p -3.27%Bumi (BUMI) 320.00p -3.03%Logica (LOG) 106.70p -3.00%RPS Group (RPS) 200.00p -2.58%Senior (SNR) 191.70p -2.34%Kentz Corporation Ltd. (KENZ) 376.70p -2.16%Telecity Group (TCY) 778.50p -1.95%NR