The FTSE AIM index trades flat, in line with theFTSE Small Cap index, while the midcaps are 0.4percent weaker.
AIM-listed specialty metal explorer Wolf Minerals adds more than 7 percent, with traders saying its award of an 85million pound ($129.4 million) mining services contract for theHemerdon tungsten and tin project makes it look more likely thatthe mine will come into production.
Small Cap nickel miner Talvivaara drops almost 8percent after the company says that it will start talks towardscutting or temporarily laying off around 40 percent of its staffto help cope with weak nickel prices by reducing operatingcosts.
Reuters messagingrm://tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
($1 = 0.6568 British pounds)