ASX Round-Up: Spotlight on Grange Resources and Kazakhstan Potash

For investors focused on the resource space, a good way to track companies listed in Australia is to look at the S&P/ASX 300 (INDEXASX:XKO). The index includes all S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) companies as well as about 100 smaller-cap companies, and as of April 2015 accounted for 74 percent of the Australian equities market. Specifically, the S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining (INDEXASX:XMM) division is a great source for companies to watch.
The Investing News Network is thus profiling companies on the S&P/ASX 300 Metal & Mining index. This week’s companies are Grange Resources (ASX:GRR) and Kazakhstan Potash (ASX:KPC).
Grange Resources bills itself as Australia’s oldest and most experienced producer of magnetite. It owns and operates Australia’s largest integrated iron ore mining and pellet production business — that’s the Tasmania-based Savage River magnetite iron ore mine, which is set to operate until 2034. Recently, Grange Resources put out its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, commenting that despite the poor iron ore price environment, there is “[s]trong ongoing demand for [its] magnetite pellets.”
The company also holds a majority stake in a Western Australia-based magnetite development project. A feasibility study has been completed for the project, and with all key approvals in place, the company is on the hunt for an equity partner to take a “strategic share” of its interest in the project.
Kazakhstan Potash holds a wide variety of projects, and is particularly interested in potash, gold, nickel and copper deposits. However, as its name suggests, the company is mainly focused on two potash salt projects in Kazakhstan: Zhilyanskoye and Chelkarskaya.
Like Grange Resources, Kazakhstan Potash most recently put out its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. In terms of exploration and development activities, it said development continues at Zhilyanskoye, though it was restricted to continuing with hydrological and environmental monitoring during the period. Meanwhile, it collected 140 drill core samples from Chelkarskaya and sent them off for physical and rheological testing. It also continued water bore monitoring and environmental studies at the site.
 
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article. 
Related reading: 
ASX Round-Up: Northern Minerals and Avanco Resources in Focus
ASX Round-Up: A Look at Silver Lake Resources and Panoramic Resources
ASX Round-Up: Highlighting Sundance Resources and Mincor Resources
ASX Round-Up: Sheffield Resources and CI Resources
ASX Round-Up: An Overview of Kingsrose Mining and Tigers Realm Coal